URJ Camp Newman

URJ Camp Newman offers a range of activities that include get-to-know-you games, Shabbat song session/t’fillah, Siyum (closing circle), Israeli dance, and Israeli-inspired art projects such as Self Portrait Discovery in the style of Hanoch Piven. The program also includes hands-on experiences like tie dye challah covers, challah braiding, a self-guided Gratitude Nature Walk, and options like a Star Hike (self guided) and a Yoga Class. Additional offerings include Israel + Travel programs, Virtual Experiences, Specialty Camps, a Grief and Growing retreat, Grand-Family Camp, and Hanukkah traditions such as peanut butter gelt cookies, along with adult-focused time like Adult schmooze and Early Risers unstaffed activities with coffee and cold snacks.

• Schedule: At Grand-Family Camp, Friday programming runs from a 3:00–5:00 Welcome & Registration through evening activities ending when Shmira concludes at 11:00, and Saturday programming begins with 7:00 Early Risers activities and continues through Menucha (quiet rest/play time) starting at 12:45.

URJ Camp Newman was established in 1947 under the name Camp Saratoga, later became the UAHC Swig Camp Institute in the early 1960s, and moved to its current Porter Creek Road site in Santa Rosa in 1997, where Camp Newman was established. It is part of the Union for Reform Judaism family of camps and youth programs and is described as the West Coast’s largest Reform camp, serving over 1,400 campers each summer from more than 80 congregations across Northern and Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Texas. The camp’s history includes relocating to Cal State Maritime Academy in Vallejo for summers 2018 and 2019 after the Tubbs Fire in 2017, offering Zoomin’ with Newman and TeenFest virtual camp options in Summer 2020, and returning to Porter Creek in Summer 2021. Six Points Community Center at Camp Newman, with a capacity of 700 people at a time, provided over 60,000 participant nights annually for Bay Area groups and organizations before the Tubbs Fire.

The program’s mission states that it focuses on inspiring a love of Judaism 365 days a year, building a community of acceptance, and grounding all relationships in Jewish values guided by its Philosophy of C.A.R.E.: Community (Kehillah Kedoshah), Acceptance (V’ahavta L’reicha Kamocha), Role-Modeling (A’sei lecha rav), and Each and Every One (B’tzelem Elohim). The leadership team includes Ben Zeiger (Associate Director of Development), Amanda Radman (Family Engagement & Registration Coordinator), Rachel K. Slaton (Director, Advancement & Growth), Rachel Mellman (Marketing Manager), and Rabbi Allie Fischman (Camp Director). Staff credentials include advanced degrees in Jewish Nonprofit Management, Jewish Education, Jewish Studies & History, Public Administration, and Vocal Arts, as well as rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and professional experience with organizations such as Hillel, BJE: Builders of Jewish Education, and the American Jewish Committee. Parent and camper testimonials describe children making lifelong friends, strengthening Jewish identity, experiencing a loving and caring community, and returning from camp feeling peaceful and self-assured.

Last updated May 15, 2026.