It’s an understatement to say these past six months have been challenging. Among so many other issues in the world, the pandemic has robbed people of their lives and their livelihoods, wreaked havoc on the economy and on educational institutions, and kept us from gathering in-person – at camp and in so many other places – in the ways we cherish so deeply.

When we decided not to open our Havaya Summer Programs in person this past summer, we knew it was the right move … and we also knew it might impact our future plans. With this in mind, and with a keen acknowledgement that our incubator grant funding ends this fall, our board – in close consultation with the leadership of Reconstructing Judaism – has spent the last many months carefully weighing the long-term viability of a fledgling start-up like Havaya Arts in California. After much consideration, we have come to the difficult decision that it simply isn’t sustainable to reopen Havaya Arts as a stand-alone program.

This summer, we’ll incorporate some of the best parts of our program into a unique new offering at Camp Havaya, our flagship camp in Pennsylvania. “Havaya Arts in the Poconos” will give campers the opportunity to spend three hours-a-day specializing in visual art, music, culinary arts, or theater … while also experiencing the hallmark Havaya mix of the joy of summer camp with the freedom to be who you truly are. Please check out Camp Havaya to learn more.

When Havaya Arts opened in the summer of 2018, we were excited and proud to offer a unique new vision for a diverse, welcoming, arts-focused Jewish camp experience on the West Coast. Even as things are changing, please know that we will continue to build spaces where kids explore Judaism in their own ways and become the best versions of themselves. We hope you’ll join us!

Howie Bee