Our Philosophy

Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps are designed to help Jewish youth develop personal identity and self-esteem, build relationships, learn about Judaism, have fun, and increase their long-term commitment to their families, synagogues, and communities. At camp, Judaism is not merely a programming device–it is our essence. The pattern of our day is uniquely Jewish. Prayer is a component. Meals are blessed. Many of the songs we sing are in Hebrew or have Jewish content. Our creative arts reflect our culture. Programming focuses on a theme with which campers become familiar. While knowledge acquisition is valued, the deepening of identity and commitment is our primary goal.

Camp Hess Kramer

Camp Hess Kramer creates a Jewish experience our campers do not receive anywhere else. This all-encompassing Jewish living environment consists of Israel hour and evening programs, Limud (our daily hour of interactive learning), T'filah, conversations and questions, and of course Shabbat! Shabbat is one of the most exciting parts of the week. Friday night begins the Shabbat experience through T'filah, a special dinner meal, an energy-filled song session, and then the entire camp in one place participating in Israeli dancing. The rest of Shabbat captures the essence of the day with services, reading from the Torah, and relaxing cabin time. All week long, campers and staff alike eagerly anticipate Shabbat, not only because it is the day of rest, but also because it is the day separate and distinct from the rest of the week—a day filled with ruach, friendship, time, and space.

Gindling Hilltop Camp

We pride ourselves on our close-knit community and our ability to provide the time of your life!

This small community ensures that everyone knows everyone! Gindling Hilltop Camp has a sense of intimacy that you cannot find anywhere else. Through the close relationships campers form with their cabin mates, other campers, CITs, staff, and administration, they experience what it truly means to be part of something extraordinary. 

Judaism is the thread that holds Gindling Hilltop Camp together and is infused into camp life everyday, whether through Limud (our hour of interactive learning), daily activities, evening programs, Israel hour, T'fillah, or Ask the Rabbi. Shabbat at Gindling Hilltop Camp begins with a stroll through the cabin area. Dressed in white, each cabin joins the stroll to then walk together as one camp. The rest of the night is packed with music-filled services, Shabbat dinner, energetic song session, and then everyone Israeli dances! Shabbat continues the next day with T'fillah, as well as relaxing activities, different from the rest of the week as a way to separate the Shabbat, to make the day special. Shabbat is always one of the campers’ and staff’s favorite parts of camp.

For more information about camp for this coming summer check out this page here