Long before and throughout the pandemic, Keshet continues to provide new opportunities for self-growth, new friendships, unique opportunities. However, this impact extends beyond our participants and can leave our staff with an equal amount of growth and belonging.  

Anxious, nervous, and not knowing what to expect are common phrases that we hear when staff reflect on their first experiences with Keshet. The great news is that it’s often followed up with comments that those feelings immediately went away once they saw how meaningful and impactful the programs were. “Stepping into Keshet on the first day, I automatically noticed how they make every person in the room feel included and accounted for,” Alix Eisenberg, who has been a Keshet staff member for five years, says. “Being able to be included into such a welcoming environment made my first experiences at Keshet truly memorable.”

In addition to the impact created for campers involved in the program, our staff members have equally gained so much from spending their summers at Keshet. Our staff create bonds with their campers that extend beyond the eight weeks of the summer and into some of our other year-round programs like Buddy Bowling, Baseball and Winter Camp. The integration with the staff at our partner day and overnight camps create long-lasting bonds and friendships that keep them coming back year after year. 

However, what may be the most rewarding are the skills and experiences that our staff gain from the experience. “After being able to take part in the many programs Keshet has to offer, I have gained responsibility, leadership, teamwork, and confidence,” Alix says. After spending their summers working for Keshet, many of our staff end up choosing a career path that allows them to further develop these skills, including Alix, who is now a sophomore at Miami University in Ohio studying Inclusive Special Education. The passion that our staff gain for inclusion while working for Keshet is unmatched and even on the toughest of days, our staff still leave with a smile on their face.

We promise you a summer of fun, and we know you will gain invaluable experiences and memories that will stick with you long after the warm days of summer end.  To capture all of the reasons in one post is impossible. What we do know is that Keshet stands for something greater than only one person, and we would love nothing more than to have you join our family. Apply today at:  https://keshet.campintouch.com/ui/forms/application/staff/App

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Special thanks to Alix Eisenberg for sharing her story.

You can learn more about Keshet and what we do by visiting us online at https://www.keshet.org

Please note:  All names of participants have been changed.