Four years ago, I arrived at Sephardic Adventure Camp (SAC) not just as a counselor—but as someone in search of a deeper connection. My name is Noa Levy, I’m originally from Spain, and I now live in London. My journey to SAC began long before I ever packed my duffel bag or boarded a plane.

Years ago, the Spanish Jewish community had a special agreement with SAC: counselors from Spain would come and be part of the camp experience. My older brother was one of them, and his stories made a lasting impression on me. Even though that official program ended with changes in leadership, I never forgot about SAC. I asked my brother to connect me with the new camp director, and before I knew it, I was on my way to camp as a B1 Mom—offering love and support to our youngest campers.

From the very first day, SAC felt like family. It reminded me of home in ways I hadn’t expected. As someone who is Sephardic on both sides of my family, the focus on Sephardic roots at camp gave me a powerful sense of belonging. At the same time, I met campers and counselors from all over—Seattle, Canada, South Africa, and across the U.S. The diversity, the warmth, the genuine curiosity everyone has for each other’s backgrounds—it’s what makes this place magic. You show up, and it doesn’t matter if you’re brand new. You’re immediately one of us.

Being at SAC means learning and teaching. In Spain, Jewish education tends to be more general—we don’t always get to dive into Sephardic-specific heritage, language, or history. But here, I’ve found a piece of my identity that I didn’t even know was missing. SAC is the only camp I’ve ever seen that weaves Sephardic culture into every part of the experience—not just as a theme, but as a living, breathing community value.

This year was supposed to be extra special. I had been planning with Kenny, our amazing camp director, to return as Head Girl’s Counselor. At the same time, I’m studying psychology and on the path to becoming a therapist, so we arranged for me to also work in Camper Care alongside our social worker. It was the perfect blend—leadership and connection, responsibility and growth.

But then life happened.

Just days before camp, I was in Israel for a wedding that got canceled due to the outbreak of war with Iran. My priority immediately shifted—how do I get out and how do I still make it to SAC? Through the help of the Spanish Embassy, I traveled with a group of fellow Spaniards via Jordan and then flew on a military plane to Madrid. I landed on a Friday and somehow managed to rebook a flight for Monday. All of my camp gear was left behind in Israel. I had to repurchase everything. Still, I made it.

When I arrived, no one could believe I had come. To be honest, neither could I. But the moment I stepped into camp, I was greeted with hugs, smiles, and pure love. People had messaged me while I was still in Israel—“We miss you,” “We’re so sad you can’t make it.” Those small messages meant everything. That’s the essence of SAC: you are seen, you are valued, you are family.

Because I arrived late, my role shifted entirely to Camper Care. I’ll admit, I was a bit disappointed not to serve as Head Counselor. But I also feel incredibly fortunate to be here, doing meaningful work that aligns with my passion for mental health. It’s amazing that SAC prioritizes not just the well-being of the campers, but also the emotional health of the staff. I’m learning so much and giving all I can—and I couldn’t ask for more.

And when the opportunity presented itself, I also stepped in to support the CIT girls’ bunk—offering guidance, support, and care to this unique and dynamic group of young leaders. It’s been so rewarding to help shape their experience, and I’m grateful to be trusted with that responsibility.

I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason. This journey—however unpredictable—was meant to be. SAC continues to grow, and it’s my mission to help it expand. Last year, I brought two counselors and a camper from Spain. This year, I brought another counselor. I want the world to know about this special place. It’s not just a summer camp. It’s a place of identity, education, and legacy for the Sephardic community.

The team here is phenomenal—competent, passionate, proactive. You never feel like you’re on your own. We support each other, and that transforms the work into joy. It doesn’t feel like a job. It feels like purpose.

So here I am, halfway across the world from home—but exactly where I belong.

For over 500 years, their father’s family had hidden their Jewish heritage, dating back to the Spanish Inquisition. Raised with only hints of their Jewish roots—customs like refraining from sweeping dirt across doorways and symbolic spring cleanings—their father, Adam, embraced his Jewish identity as an adult, eventually undergoing a Sephardic conversion to honor his ancestry.

Now, Golan and Annaelle are the first openly Jewish children in their family in centuries, and we’re honored to be part of their return to Sephardic tradition.

We’re proud to be a place where families can rediscover and celebrate their heritage.

Please donate to SAC today and help empower the next generation of Sephardic leaders.

Their family journey with SAC formally began when their oldest son, then nine, joined the camp. At the time, the Owens were living in Los Angeles, and Tanya, who had never attended sleepaway camp herself, was understandably nervous about sending her young son 1000 miles away to Seattle for three weeks.

But Jacob, a proud Seattle native, was thrilled—SAC had played an important role in his own childhood, and he was eager for his son to experience the same. Knowing their son would be welcomed by relatives and family friends helped make the distance feel shorter, and off he went, pre-stamped envelopes in hand.

That summer, Tanya received just one letter—a short note saying he was having an amazing time. He came home glowing, already counting down the days until his return.

Six years later, the Owens now live in Seattle, and all four of their children have become part of the SAC community.

For the Owen family, SAC has become far more than a summer destination. It’s a home away from home, steeped in legacy, connection, and memories that span generations.

Zack’s connection to Sephardic Adventure Camp traces back to the early 1950s.

When Isaac’s ship docked in Seattle for an extended period, he discovered not only a vibrant Jewish community but one that spoke Ladino, his own ancestral language. Rabbi Solomon Maimon (z”l), the founder of SAC, welcomed Isaac with open arms, sparking a lasting bond between the Ben-Ezra family and the Seattle Sephardic community, leading to Zack’s return to SAC, nearly seventy years later.

Through each generation, the Ben-Ezra family’s connection to SAC endures, rooted in the traditions and sense of belonging first shared with Isaac so many years ago.
 
Today we invite you to support Sephardic Adventure Camp in making it possible for campers and their families to discover and reconnect with their Sephardic Heritage, ultimately growing and enriching our community. Your gift provides a rich Sephardic experience for families across the country and around the world.
 

Join us in supporting Sephardic Adventure Camp, and supporting a return to the joy of Sephardic life.

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Reyna and Serena, two campers from Istanbul, have attended Jewish camps before, but their Shabbat experience at Sephardic Adventure Camp felt uniquely special. They loved the Friday night traditions—sharing songs, Pizmonim, and enjoying the flavors of a dairy Shabbat lunch, including new favorites like Boikos. This new take on Shabbat brought Turkish and Rhodesli traditions to life, which they were eager to bring home.

What stood out most to them was SAC’s technology-free environment, which allowed them to fully immerse in every moment. The camp-wide water fight on the first night was their top memory, closely followed by all-camp games during Shabbat and Color War, where campers of all ages came together. For Reyna and Serena, SAC is about connection, culture, and camaraderie.

Both Reyna and Serena, in their first year at SAC, expressed excitement to return someday as counselors, returning for more years in our vibrant, tradition-filled camp community.

Help us reach more campers and families like Reyna and Serena. 

Give Now to our Tornad A Kaza: Return to SAC Giving Campaign!

Sephardic Adventure Camp is a Jewish sleep away camp unlike any other. Daily life at SAC blends the traditions of Rhodes and Turkish Jews and infuses them into activities from tefillah, to education, and to, well, adventures. Sephardic Adventure Campers have the opportunity, for three amazing weeks every summer, not only to embrace, but to live their culture, their heritage, and their history. Perhaps the most extraordinary aspect of SAC though, is the sense of family and home which, I believe, was created by the camp’s founders when they poured all of their love and effort into creating a magical space for their community’s children to immerse themselves in their history. This legacy lives on in the SAC alumni, parents, Seattle Sephardic community leaders, and scholars who pay SAC a visit to lead a Rhodesli activity or to teach a Turkish tune throughout the summer.

In some ways, though, Sephardic Adventure Camp is quite ordinary. Like any other sleep away camp, SAC is full of campers ranging from eight to fifteen years old all trying to navigate the social dynamics that come with 24/7 interaction and close quarters. On top of that, many campers struggle with missing home and family members. In the past, as with most summer camps, counselors were typically tasked with caring for a dozen of these campers and all of their social and emotional challenges. However, these counselors must also learn to collaborate and share responsibilities with co-counselors, cope with any challenges in their personal lives, all while trying to enjoy their time at camp with friends. 

Given all of these natural challenges, factors, and responsibilities, everyone in camp needs an unconditional support system. Understanding that need, SAC has introduced the Camper Care Team to camp over the past two years with the support of the FJC (Foundation for Jewish Camp) with its Yedid Nefesh grant. The grant allows for 5 years of support in the MESSH (Mental, Emotional, Social, Spiritual, Health) aspects of camp and is a critical need that the FJC has generously supported across the Jewish camping world. SAC is in the 3rd cohort of this amazing program and this was the second year of our funding.

Led by Jennifer Owen, MSW, the Camper Care Team operates out of what we call the Sensory Tent. Inside the canvas walls of this tent, campers, counselors, and staff will find cozy couches decorated with bright pillows, weighted blankets, a tea station (complete with honey), books, journals and coloring books, twinkle lights, and a variety of sensory related materials. Jenn also offers one-on-one counseling, group/bonding sessions for small groups and entire bunks, and MESSH (Mental Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Health) for counselors and staff. When necessary, the Camper Care Team will communicate with parents/facilitate conversations between parents and their campers — both things that are less necessary than ever before because of the Camper Care Team. The Sensory Tent and its mission is an oasis; a place for everyone to momentarily step outside of the adventure, chaos, and excitement of daily life at camp. 

This past summer the Camper Care Team expanded with me, Ella Endres, being hired on as Jenn’s assistant. As a member of this team, I found that our role eased a great deal of stress for other staff and helped make campers feel more comfortable and at home. From my experience and observation this summer, I could tell that the entire mission of the Camper Care Team was a natural outgrowth of SAC’s founders’ goal to create an immersive, fun, familial, cultural, and meaningful space for their community’s children. It is a gift and an honor to get to carry on that beautiful mission for the SAC family.

Image: cstuartphotography

Every year, Sephardic Adventure Camp is lucky to host international campers and staff. This year, we hosted campers and counselors from Canada, Israel, Spain, Turkey, Gibraltar, and South Africa! At SAC, Sephardic culture is at the forefront of every activity, every meal, and every camp gathering, uniting our community and allowing every camper to embrace their heritage. To learn more about SAC and our place in the Sephardic Community around the world, we interviewed campers Serena and Reyna from Turkey and counselor Dana from Spain.

Question: How is Shabbat different at Sephardic Adventure Camp? Reyna and Serena have attended Jewish overnight camp before, but we were curious to know if and how Shabbat is different at SAC versus their past camp in Budapest. Serena and Reyna emphasized how special Shabbat is at SAC. After every Shabbat meal, campers and staff gather around the table and sing Pizmonim. This is a time when campers to come together and embrace Sephardic tradition. Reyna, Serena, and Dana all commented on how they sing different tunes at home, but they were excited to see how American Sephardim embrace Sephardic culture in the Turkish and Rhodesli traditions.

SAC tradition is to have a dairy Shabbat lunch. Reyna and Serena were not used to this, but they love the tradition. They especially enjoyed the Boikos on Shabbat and said they are excited to bring that recipe and the dairy lunch tradition home to Turkey with them.

Every Shabbat, after Seudat Shlishit, campers perform Refranes. Haham, our camp Rabbi, hands out Ladino prompts, and each bunk competes to put on the best skit. The cabins incorporate Ladino words and phrases into their skits. Serena and Reyna both commented on how much fun they had during this activity every week.

Question: What stood out to you about SAC? Serena and Reyna both spoke about how much they enjoyed the technology-free camp experience. They were able to truly live in the moment and enjoy every camp activity. Serena and Reyna loved how diverse the activities were at SAC.

At SAC, campers participate in traditional camp activities on SAC grounds like archery, swimming, and sports, but campers also get to go on amazing trips like hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and boating. These trips make SAC so special and facilitate lifelong memories and friendships.

Question: What was your favorite activity at SAC this summer? Serena and Reyna both agreed that the camp-wide water fight on the first night of camp was their favorite activity! Paint-balling was a close second, but both agreed that they love the way the entire camp sometimes comes together to participate in an activity. On Shabbat, for example, the entire camp participated in a camp-wide baseball game. During Color War, SAC organizes an all-camp soccer game where every camper is encouraged to participate. Serena, Reyna, and Dana all spoke very highly of SAC and its ability to bring campers of all ages together.

Question: If you could sum up Sephardic Adventure Camp into one word or phrase, what would it be?

Serena: A good experience.

Reyna: Fun.

Dana: Familiar.

We are very proud of the community we have built at SAC and our ability to bring Sephardic campers from all across the world together. We are grateful to be part of such a beautiful community and provide a summer camp infused with Sephardic traditions, customs, and flavors for campers to look forward to every year!

Finally, we asked Serena and Reyna if they would return to SAC? This was both camper’s first year and both said they were excited to come back as counselors! We cannot wait to see them at SAC in the future.

My name is Elana, and I came to Sephardic Adventure Camp as the nurse for a few days this year to accompany my children, Golan and Annaelle Arroyo to their first summer at SAC. Their flight to camp was only five hours long, but their journey to SAC took over five hundred years. Golan and Annaelle are the first two openly Jewish children born to their paternal family since the Spanish Inquisition.

When my husband, Adam, was in middle school, his mother informed him that their family was Jewish. She told him that this information had been given to her by her maternal grandmother when she was a child. My husband’s Judaism was a heritage passed down with no ritual or meaning, just a message. There were a few family traditions that may or not have been relics of past Jewish practice, changed for safety: a recipe that should have called for pork but did not and a custom to never sweep dirt through doorways–possibly in honor of a mezuzah that was no longer there. Another family tradition – to empty a basin of water out of the window in the spring and then announce that the house was now cleaned of all bad things – may have been a way to commemorate Pesach cleaning.

Adam took it upon himself to figure out what being Jewish meant for him, and began a journey of religious discovery that led him to a practicing, orthodox Jewish life. He tried out a variety of synagogues and communities, visited Jewish sites in Spain, spent months in Israel, and eventually underwent a Sephardic conversion to ensure that no one could doubt his place in the Jewish nation. When we got married, I–Ashkenazi, born and bred–started learning Sephardic traditions, foods, and songs. When Golan, our first child, was born, he was the first openly Jewish boy to have a public brit milah in my husband’s family in centuries. My husband allowed his Jewish heritage to return to the light after centuries of hidden traditions and whispered secrets.  

We live in a town without a significant Sephardic presence. We love our shul and our children’s day school. We work hard to bring Sephardic traditions, nusach, and foods into our home, but we felt that our kids needed to learn Sephardic traditions in a more formal framework as well. After an internet search turned up Sephardic Adventure Camp, the only Sephardic overnight camp in North America, we decided that when the children were old enough, they would be SAC campers.

And so, this year, for the first time, I took our oldest two children and flew from Boston to Seattle to see for ourselves how it felt to be part of a Sephardic community. We are so excited to be here at Sephardic Adventure Camp and to learn the Sephardic tunes, tefillot, and minhagim! It was very special to my husband, children, and I to spend a Shabbat at SAC filled with Sephardic tunes during pizmonim, watching our children participate in La Boz, and to know that they are baking biskochos and learning Ladino. It was a wonderful experience for me, and I can tell from the photos that my kids are still having a blast without me! I hope that we will continue to be a SAC family for many years to come!

Image: cstuartphotography

The littlest voices soared as they pretended to be candles while singing Flory Jagoda’s Ladino song, Ocho Kandelikas. The G1/G2 girls (the bunks of 8- and 9-year-olds) delighted the SAC audience with their sweet performance as part of the camp’s first “La Boz” competition. Based on the megahit reality TV show, The Voice, SAC’s version had 10 groups of campers (and staff!) learn a Ladino song to present in a special evening program. 

In addition to being judged by their singing of a Ladino song (which they only had 45-minute sessions with me and Hacham Greenberg to learn), campers also had to create a backstory, linking this year’s camp theme of Tornad a kaza, or “Return Home” in Ladino, to the song they were singing. In one case, this meant comparing the lyrics of La Serena, a song in which a sailor steers his boat of cinnamon sticks in a sea made of milk, to the story of Sephardic Jews sailing away from Spain in 1492. Instead of just teaching a song by rote, I wanted the kids to have fun with the songs by incorporating some creativity and making them their own. In typical SAC fashion, the campers all rose to the challenge! Especially when the stakes were high, with awards of lollipops, Gatorade and the grand prize of a coveted outing to the Dollar Tree. But behind the competitive bunk spirit was the undeniable excitement of showing off a Ladino song – for many campers, it was the first time they had ever learned one. 

Image: cstuartphotography

I have spent more than 20 years traveling the world as a Ladino singer and educator, and for the past three summers, visiting SAC as a Sephardic Scholar has been a highlight for me. Seeing groups of children take pride in learning about Sephardic culture is beyond gratifying. But this year, my own pride in seeing kids embrace Ladino music and ideas reached an even higher level.  I had a special stake in La Boz, not only as coach to the competing bunks and as emcee of the event, but because I brought my daughter to camp with me for the first time this year. 

Watching my 8-year-old sing out as one of the kandelikas in her group’s song filled me with the greatest alegria (happiness). Of course, I teach my daughter Ladino songs and traditions within our home in Massachusetts, but she has never had the chance beyond our family to be with other children taking pride in our culture in a concentrated, meaningful way. SAC is unique like this. No other camp offers this opportunity – a welcoming place for kids to explore, enjoy and relish in Sephardic life. From hearing silly Joha stories over hot cocoa each morning, to learning the Ladino word of the day at flag raising, reciting blessings in Ladino after meals, or learning beloved Sephardic songs in special programs like La Boz, the buzz around camp, day and night, is of Sephardic joy. I may have only been the coach of La Boz, but being in the audience watching the kids perform with such pride truly made me feel like the winner. I can’t think of a more beautiful way to spend part of my summer – and for my daughter to spend hers. 

Image: cstuartphotography

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Thank you to Al and Jeanie Maimon for sponsoring the first ever – of hopefully many – La Boz!