Imagine a B’nai Mitzvah party, celebrating the culmination of study and preparation. The guests are dressed in their finest Camp Shabbat attire. There are “sign-in” boards on easels in the corner of the room. A decorative cake is displayed on a table, sporting the names of the 13 year olds celebrating this important milestone. As the community makes its way to the dance floor singing simon tov v’mazel tov, things begin to look unique. You see, this is no ordinary Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration, this is a B’nai Mitzvah celebration at Camp Yofi and the guests know exactly what to do as they have been prepped in advance. One Bar Mitzvah boy eagerly awaits to be lifted in the chair, arms flowing in the sky. Another camper is more hesitant, gripping the side of the chair with all his might. A third camper sits on her chair, grounded to the floor with a huge smile on her face, while friends and family dance around her without ever reaching to lift her chair. And the fourth celebrant stands off to the side, hoping no extra attention will be thrown his way. The Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall) comes alive and pure joy is felt by all in the room. The celebration is tailored to each camper to make them feel comfortable and not to overwhelm their senses. (I wish we had photos to share, but we don’t use cameras on Shabbat.)
It is this level of care and differentiation that is felt each moment of Camp Yofi. Earlier in the day, each B’nai Mitzvah camper was presented with a tallit by their parents and each camper participated in the service in a way that was meaningful and appropriate for the child and family. From opening the ark to having an aliyah, the campers were each celebrated. Candy was lovingly tossed and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. One father remarked it was the most beautiful service he ever attended and plans for his own child’s Bar Mitzvah began to formulate in his head. A day he had never imagined could be possible, a day that will happen six years from now at Camp Yofi.
This summer, Camp Yofi celebrated its 20th year. Yofi is an experience where bonds formed in five mere days last a lifetime, a place where the lives of the staff are forever changed. It’s hard to quantify the true impact Yofi has had over the years because it is a culmination of so many smaller impacts. The parent who was able to leave their child for a night out for the first time all year. The siblings bond together over their shared struggles growing up with a neurodivergent brother or sister. The child finally knows what it feels like not to be judged. Yofi is something that touches so many aspects of the lives of the people involved from the children to the parents to the staff. The parents and staff who haven’t been to Camp Yofi in a decade are still active in our Yofi Facebook groups. These are the true measures of Yofi’s impact.
Camp Yofi is one of those life halting experiences where you can take a step back and easily recognize what is truly important in life. It is a break from the harsh and judgmental real world and an entrance into a community of inclusion and selflessness. Staff and families speak about how Yofi is the week they most look forward to each year. And I know for me, after 20 years, Yofi is still the place I want to be!
“As always, Camp Yofi was incredibly special for us. My big kids enjoyed every second of it—they felt comfortable, supported, and truly seen. I’m so grateful for opportunities like this. It’s not easy to find vacations where everyone feels comfortable; usually, someone has to give something up, and it’s often Eli’s brothers. But at Camp Yofi, everyone gets to do what they want, and it’s simply amazing. We were together as a family, had incredible bonding time, and yet everyone had their own space. The camp is perfectly designed to meet everyone’s needs.
Camp Yofi is a very special place to be. Looking forward to next year!”
-Meital, 2024 participant
Camp Yofi is a nationally recognized 5-day program designed for families with children ages 6-13 who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), providing a supportive environment with tailored activities and resources for all family members. Parents, grandparents, and siblings are invited to attend and all families, regardless of Jewish denomination or affiliation, are welcome! Learn more or donate today!