The Camp Akiba Diaspora: The Next Generation

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Camp Akiba, (the best camp in the world) located in Reeders Pennsylvania, closed in 1997. The grounds are still maintained and as beautiful as ever, and it is now home to the Pocono Picnic Company. But for those of us who were campers at Camp Akiba, we miss it dearly. Fortunately there is a Facebook Group that helps connect many of us who were campers and staff at Camp Akiba.

Those of us who were campers in the 1970’s & 80’s and have children of our own are now faced with a question…

Where do we send our kids to overnight camp now that Akiba is closed?!!

Last summer I had the opportunity to visit and work with many summer camps on a tour with my Path To Rhythm Group Drumming Program. I learned many things, and the most apparent thing that I saw was camp spirit. The campers at all of these camps feel the same way about their camp; that it’s the best camp in the world.

In addition to getting to drum with over 3,500 campers at 12 different camps, I had the chance to meet some unexpected special people. These were the children of my friends from Camp Akiba. Imagine that…the children of Akibaites!

Below is a list and some photos of the next generation of campers that I met in the summer of 2011.

At Pine Forest Camp :

I drummed with:

  • Jared Diamond, son of Rick Diamond.
  • Jordan Sheppard, daughter of Jennifer (Meyers) Sheppard
  • Daniel Weiss, son of my former counselor, Hank Weiss
  • Jordan and Justin Shapiro,  the sons of Alison Brodnick Shapiro

And I met:

  • Chelsea Gordon, the daughter of Howard and the grand daughter of Uncle Lenny & Aunt Harriet
  • Rachel & Carly Garazi, daughters of Carrie (Meyers) Garazi
  • Hannah & Jordyn Kieserman, daughters of Amy (Dratch) Kieserman
with Jordan Sheppard, daughter of Jennifer (Meyers) Sheppard

with Jordan Sheppard, daughter of Jennifer (Meyers) Sheppard

with Jordan Shapiro and Daniel Weiss

with Jordan Shapiro and Daniel Wiess

with Chelses Gordon, daughter of Howard Gordon

with Chelsea Gordon, daughter of Howard Gordon

At Camp Kweebec:

  • I drummed with Zack and Alex Jacobs, the sons Cory Jacobs
  • I drummed with Ethan Berg, the son of Cami (Fruchter) Berg

At Camp Canadensis:

  • I drummed with Carly Sukonik, the daughter of Neil Sukonik

At Camp Chipinaw:

  • I drummed with Dylan Dansky, the daughter of Tracy (Eisler) Dansky

At Diamond Ridge Camp:

  • I drummed with Nicky Kelly, son of Sam & Mary Ann Kelly
  • I met Brooke Oxenhandler, daughter of Brian Oxenhandler

At Sesame/ Rockwood Camp

  • I met Avery & Jacob Ominsky, the children of Tara Dickerman Ominsky

and socially:

The summer began with a visit from Melissa (Storch) Epstein and her daughter Haley. Next was a visit with Jillian (Altchek) Smath and her two daughters, Marlee and Emily. I also saw Erica (Skala) Napach and her three children, Charlie, Mason, and Lily.

I enjoy meeting the families of former Camp Akiba campers and staff, I consider them my extended family, we are part of the same Tribe.

The Camp Akiba Diaspora Project:

If you want to participate: add the following info to the comment section below…

  • Your name
  • The years you went to Akiba
  • The names of your children
  • Where they have attended camp, or where they will be attending camp

This information will be visible here on this page publicly as a way to document where the next generation of campers are attending camp.

I will start it off:

  • Adam Issadore
  • I attended Camp Akiba as a camper from 1976-1988.
  • My son is Jackson Issadore, and he was born in 2010. He is still too young to go to camp!
  • 46 comments… add one

    • Judy Abbott June 1, 2014, 11:11 am

      I attended Akiba around 1962 and/or 1963. I have great memories from my time there.

    • Raphael Geva June 2, 2014, 5:26 am

      שלום לכל יוצאי מחנה עקיבא.
      החלטתי לכתוב מספר מילים בעברית בתקוה שאולי חלק מכם יצליח לקרוא וגם להבין. אחרי הכל כולכם שייכים לעם העברי הקדום ולבטח למדתם ב
      HEBREW SCHOOL
      ואני מקווה שהכיתוב לא יהיה ג’יבריש עבורכם.
      now we move to english:
      I was very happy to learn about the long history of Camp Akiba and to be part of it. I came to the US in 1968 and i attended University of Penn, and graduate in 1972.
      During this period I have taught at the Hebrew School at Adat Israel and in Beith David in Philladelphia. During these years I have met a wonderful community in Phiily and met with Len Gordon and his wife and children, and he offered me a job at a capm that he owned.
      I was a supervisor at the camp in the summer of 71′.
      I remember very well Dick Brown, even the Irish guy Paul Acheson, Mark Cohen, Chuck Geffen, Harold Grinberg, Mark Levin, Stu Resnick, Sid Stumacher who was a cunsler, also Slavo and Steve Yellin and many more..
      Well after my graduation i attend law school at the Hebrew University and i became a lawyer in 1977. Since then i practice law, I have 2 children , my boy Nimrod just finished 4 .5 years in the IDF he was an officer and my daughter Yuval she’s still serving in the IDF and this coming summer infacr on june 18th shes planning to visit the US. She will be in NYC and North Carolina. Yuval is a member of “seeds of peace” organization and she attended a camp in Maine with an Israeli deligation which met with Palastinians, Jordanians, Egyptians and Americans to the discuss the way to bring peace into the region.
      Last year she also led a group of Jewish-American youth “Taglit” program, and this is one of her aims in visiting the states. in NYC she’s going to meet our friend Joy Sardinsky from Philly a freind of mine from Penn.
      If you hae young kids in there 20’s , we’ll be more then happy to contact Yuval and exchange ideas. all of you, you got a friend in Tel aviv Israel incase you plan to visit Israel, dont hesitate to give a call. I will be more then happy to host you and keep Avrahama Avinu tradition.
      Love you all and Hag Shavuot Sameach.
      Raphael Geva, TLV. Israel

    • Chuck Isen June 27, 2014, 4:35 pm

      I was a camper at Akiba in 1959 (Sunk 5) and 1960 (Dunk ?). I was a CIT in 1963. Loved the lake. Loved Color War. Nothing but fond memories.
      I moved to California in 1971 and never looked back, but would love to spend one more week at Camp Akiba!

    • Missy Jaron Schilling July 24, 2014, 7:35 pm

      I attended camp Akiba at 1977-1986.
      I have two daughters , sami 10 and
      Lexi almost 9 both at camp starlight for
      The past two years.

    • Seth Turk August 9, 2014, 1:08 am

      I went to Camp Akiba from 1984, 1987, 1988 as a camper. 1994-1996 Counselor and finally 1997 as the AD for the I division. I spent the best summers of my life at Akiba. Its good to have formers camper and former counselor on my FB and be able to keep in touch with them in some way. I am hoping to make the next reunion in 2015…

    • Gary Zlotnick August 21, 2014, 3:48 am

      I attended C.A. from 1965-1971 as a camper, and in 1977 as a counselor. Will there be an attempt to reach campers/counselors from that era/ Let me know what is happening. Thanks, Gary Z.

    • Larry gever October 31, 2014, 5:16 pm

      I went to the camp as a waiter during the summer of 1966. Had wonderful summer. Remember the owner Lou Sherr riding around on his golf cart. My kids went to camp lohican

    • Jessica Barash January 4, 2015, 6:27 pm

      My great grandparents were Rose and Morry Edelson (part of the group of original owners). My grandfather and mother both went to Akiba. But my mom, uncles, siblings, and I all went to Saginaw. Saginaw was also founded by the same original owners as Akiba. You should keep it in mind with your search. You may find some similar attitudes there.

    • Fred Kaplan April 23, 2015, 10:38 am

      I attended Camp Akiba from 1966-1976, as camper, counselor, soccer specialist, and division leader. My son, Jeff Kaplan, attended Pine Forest Camp from 2005-2015. My daughter, Erica (Kaplan) Krepp, attended day camps and week-long cheerleading camps (several at Pine Forest). I loved my camp summers, which led me to volunteer and become President of Golden Slipper Camp in 2010-2012, a non-profit Jewish camp only a mile from Akiba.

    • Taryn Fogg (Sklenar) April 27, 2015, 8:28 am

      So glad to find this. I attended camp Akiba for what seems before birth. My dad was the boys direct Bob Sklenar and I was in the youngest bunk. After he left Camp Akiba he left with Howard Batterman when he bought Sesame/Rockwood Day Camp. I am unsure of my age back then. So glad to connect and see familiar names.

    • Barbara (Cohen) Taub May 2, 2015, 3:35 pm

      i was a camper at Akiba in 1942-3 when we lived in Philadelphia, before moving to Minnesota in 1944. Years later I passed through the Poconos with my family and was delighted to find that the camp was still there. I have great early memories and am sad to know that the era is over.

    • Rich Dunn May 12, 2015, 11:18 am

      I was a counselor between 1981 through 1987. Started with the sunks (Ricky
      Diamond, Heath, Matt were a couple of my first kids) and went to the dunks then the last 2 years worked with Izzy(Adam’s father) as assistant athletics. JP was head of boy’s camp till Bob Sklenar came aboard. I remember Hank Weiss very well, just a young guy back then. Sam Kelly and I were I believe the only Irish in camp. Howard Gordon and I are the same age and a good friend, and so remember Uncle Lenny riding around in the convertible red Mercedes that I wanted so bad( my dream car). Howard Batterman was a great friend who made me feel at home from the start(I was away from home, Kentucky, for my first time). Remember basketball on dunk court, refereeing basketball games against other camps with Howard Batterman, Rob Richland’s sunk and dunk speeches, Mike Goldberg and the now famous Greg Jbara putting together the camp plays. Oh and bug juice. Max Weinberg from the E Street Band, playing during color war with his own band. Akiba was a great experience for me that I will remember for all my life.

    • Randee Seligsohn Kaplan June 26, 2015, 5:42 am

      I attended Akiba from 1985-91! My daughter is 10 and is at French Woods Festival of the Arts for the first time this summer! My son is almost 8 and didn’t want to go to camp yet! I miss Akiba!!! My maiden name is Seligsohn!

    • Fran Arsht Tiger May 22, 2016, 5:05 pm

      I am so happy to find this and see other camp crazy Akibaites and camp souls who will always love camp. I owe most of my childhood to Camp Akiba and certainly my favorite experiences and friends. Although no one has kept up, and I moved West to California, I was actually a supervisor on this coast at a Camp Akiba West and remember how funny they thought it was that I was from Camp Akiba East. I still seek camp experiences, went into education and bring the best of what is a no brainer about camp, calling it experiential and immersive education. Educators are verbose. Just put the camp in school and we will be brilliant! That’s why I also love being a Jewish educator plus I integrate the arts into everything. I took a super supervisor job at the camp on the Oregon a few years ago and loved it. Jews in the West are actually more observant than the East and put more Jewish ed into their camps; definitely Ramah which is alot.
      Through Jewish Federation and the Jim Joseph Foundation, One Happy Camper, I was able to raise my own daughters in Jewish summer camp. We chose one closer to us in the Los Angeles area so they’d have a chance of seeing friends outside of camp. JCA Shalom at Shalom Institute in Malibu has been a light in my daughter’s life and she will be a counselor there in a few weeks, loving every minute there. They also provide the opportunity in this year round facility for them to work retreat weekends and have winter and spring camp as well as holiday events, so she is so at home there. They do not offer parents much of anything but dropping off and picking up. Although camp sessions are so much shorter than the 2 months we went! so no visiting day. Camp will always be the BEST till I die, so tell me where you are, where we might camp together, and how old your kids are to hang, meet, camp.
      Best years of my life were at Akiba (true, not necessarily sad) from 1971-1977. I also worked at Camp Saginaw in Oxford, PA. Thanks for the memories Lenny and Harriet, and keeping it alive, Howard & Lisa; personal memory thanks to Abby Meiselman, Bobby Rothfield, with a tribute also to the memory of Mark Etskovitz who married my “cousin” Jayne, and we were friends at age 12 at Akiba, to reconnect through her in later life. Love to all Akibaites. Please feel free to write me at roamingtigers@gmail.com. I am taking my daughter back East after her graduation after 18 years. Maybe a trip to the Poconos?? OH grow up! Never.
      Fran

    • Jessica (Herling) Shoemaker October 13, 2016, 9:53 am

      I attended Akiba from 1990-1994 and again in the summer of 1996. I might be the youngest person on this list by a mile! My maiden name was Herling. My son is only 21 months old but I definitely want him to head to camp when he is old enough!

    • Mitchel February 19, 2017, 9:32 pm

      Hi Adam–

      I attended Akiba 1983 – 1985, along with my sister Alisa. Remember you (and Girl, You Really Got Me Now just popped into my head)!

      My kids are 8 and 12. They attend Camp Blue…in Dee Why, Australia!

    • Stacy (Kanlastein) Nockowitz March 20, 2017, 12:30 pm

      My brother Eric and I attended from the mid-70s through the 80s. Memories of Akiba are still the strongest memories of my childhood. I just turned 50, and sights and smells still bring me back to those days forty years ago. I live in Ohio now, and my kids are 19 and 22. They were not really campers; overnight camp is not a big thing out here in the Midwest like it is back East. That has always made me sad. Eric’s kids are 5 and 2, but they live in Europe, so their childhoods will be far different than their dad’s was. If I started to list all of the wonderful memories I have of Akiba, this post would be as long as a book.

    • Robert pollack August 12, 2017, 8:18 pm

      I attended camp Akiba from 1964-1967.

    • Meredith Sigel Chassen August 26, 2017, 10:03 pm

      I was a High Hill counselor for three summers (89-91). When I read your story above I knew many of the names bc we were all counselors together in those years. They truly were the best summers. I always thought that my own kids would go to Akiba down the road in life. And I was sad when Howard closed the camp in 97′. Now 20 years later, My son Cameron attends Camp Winaukee in New Hampshire. He loves it and I’m thrilled he loves camp. Maybe you will make it up that way to drum!

    • noah finkel September 2, 2017, 5:23 am

      Hi..I attended camp Akiba from 1953-1959. I so remember Herm Solar, the director of the mens camp and his son Larry, both of whom saved my from home sickness m,y first year. My counselor in 1954 was Mark Ridenback or Reidneback who became a cardiologist somewhere in Penn..He was also a wonderfull role model..I also continue to remain friendly with my best friend from camp from Fort Worth, Tx and speak weakly…all in all, Akiba was a wonderfull experience..thanks for the site. Noah

    • Julian Yudelson March 18, 2018, 1:05 pm

      Attended Akiba from Atlanta Ga 1948 to 1952. My children ( Miriam and Ruth) attended Camp Ramah Canada

    • John burks May 13, 2020, 6:52 pm

      I was a counselor in 1970 with two other friends from Kentucky (WKU). We all really had a great summer and all the other counselors made us feel very welcome. That year there were about 10 counselors from other countries. Really enjoyed all the sport activities and it was located in a beautiful part of PA.

    • Adam Issadore May 16, 2020, 1:53 pm

      Yes Camp Akiba is and was a beautiful place. Its always in my heart

    • Gary A. Hartshorn May 28, 2020, 5:19 pm

      My Great Grandfather Pop Miller owned the original property that the camp was built on he became the caretaker for the camp up to his untimely death in 1956, he was responsible for building all the buildings on the property and the lake as well as the dam. The home that sits on the camps road right across from the tennis courts was the original home of his mothers and still is there today. I have found memories of my time at my grandfather home just below the camp especially visiting day when I saw cars that I never saw before , the camp has real meaning to me, I am glad that someone else also remember the camp in their heart. Best wishes Gary Hartshorn

    • Adam Issadore May 28, 2020, 6:32 pm

      Hi Gary,
      Thank you so much for your comment and for sharing your experience and knowledge about the land that became Camp Akiba. I have been their recently (September of 2019). sadly the original home that you are referring to is no longer there. that home was special to me as well, i lived in that home for several summers when I was a child and my parents were working at camp in the late 1970s. I will say that the property and the land has been cared for and maintained and is in pristine condition. And i agree with you when you say tha I, and many people, have a special place for the camp and the land in their heart!

    • Betty Miller Hartshorn May 31, 2020, 12:56 pm

      Just reading some of the interesting comments from people who have gone to Camp Akiba. My Grandfather built the camp in l926, have pictures of him building the first bunk. I was born and raised at the camp living in the house next to the road, until my grandfather, Erv.Miller sold the camp to Mr. Bresman, from Phila. Still there worked in the kitchen until the l940’s , then the camp was sold to Mr.Sherr and Mr. Eldson. at that time we moved down the street in the white house before the camp ,but my grandfather was caretaker still of the camp, he loved that place and was so happy when the children would come out for the summer, pass our house in busses and we wlevere all there tho great them. I have very fond memories of that place, learned to play tennis there in which I won trophies, in my later years. Have so many pictures of the camp being built.

    • Adam Issadore June 3, 2020, 1:15 pm

      Hi Betty,
      Thank you so much for this information. I enjoy learning about the land and all of the memories that people have of it.

    • Richard Marks June 18, 2020, 10:38 pm

      I was just commenting on how camp prepared us for times like these, honing in on the fundamentals, adapting,,the first people I reached out to during the early phases of the bat bug storm were the camp buddies, interwoven lives over many decades. My kids, offspring of a quasi enduring Akiba pairing, enjoyed their summers in Maine; our daughter dreading every minute and our son reveling in lifelong friendships seeded in Akiba, circa 62. We all miss Linden Court too!

    • Gary Zlotnick August 5, 2020, 3:29 pm

      Can anyone explain to me why Howard closed Akiba, the best overnite camp on the east coast, and maybe the whole country?

    • Lisa Rosenbluth Blumstein August 6, 2020, 8:30 am

      Not only did I attend Akiba from 1957/1969, but my mother went to Akiba. Greatest camp!!

    • Gary Zlotnick November 12, 2020, 12:42 pm

      Thoughts of Akiba still enter my soul. The best 8 summers of my life. I can vividly remember so many experiences from camp. Wish I could relieve those summers. Only Friends That You Have Not Met Yet!

    • Arnie friedman November 16, 2020, 1:50 pm

      Glad I found this site I was at camp Akiba from 1959 thru 1959. From bunks to dunks I was from New York very few of us greatest summers ever. Love to hear back. Arnie friedman

    • Scott Goldsmith December 29, 2020, 8:08 pm

      I went to Akiba (with my brother Brett) in the mid/late eighties, I want to say 85-88. Although my long term memory is poor in general, I do have wonderful memories of Akiba and I’ve always tried to explain to my wife it’s a life experience that is so impactful And grand that it’s impossibly difficult to encapsulate in words. I wish it was still open and I could have sent my children there. Hot canteen, cold canteen, color war, I can still here the guy who was in charge of the pool (I think his name was Jay) blowing the whistle and saying “all counselors rotate, all campers, carry on” as the counselors had to switch shifts watching the kids. Amazing experiences.

    • Barton (Frank) Schwartz January 31, 2021, 11:22 pm

      My sister Cynthia and I were campers at Camp Akiba during the years 1953 thru 1955 and campers at Camp Canadensis during the years 1948 thru 1952. I spent my last summer as a camper at the age of 15 building a boat which I saw on the lake several years later. I have fond memories of my summers at Akiba and Canadensis.

    • Gail Stein-Raymond March 27, 2021, 1:50 pm

      I was a camper from 63-66. To this day I still remember some of my Color War songs. Coincidentally I have a Zoom meeting scheduled later today with bunk mates Amy Friedman Phillips (my cousin) and Barbara Turen. We’ve remained lifelong friends.

    • Nei; Myers April 19, 2021, 10:35 am

      Went to Akiba summers, first as a Midget(!), in 1936 or 7. Kept returning until 1944, when the camp closed early due to a yellow jaundice outbreak. Unforgettable memories — camp songs, color wars, names of fellow campers keep recurring to me. Falling asleep at night, after the counselors finally told us to shut up, hearing the bull frogs from the lake, waking to bright sunlight & bugle — flag raising, breakfast in mess hall, etc. etc. Would be glad to hear from anyone there at that period.

    • Bill Einhorn July 27, 2021, 6:31 am

      I was at Akiba over 19 years, 1947 at 5 and on to CIT, counselor, supervisor ending in 1965. My bother Eddie went as well. I still have bunk photos etc even the record from the 1965 Sing. Finishing Penn and Temple grad I reluctantly had to start life. I remember it all in detail – night patrol, pink and green dishes, brother/sister, picnic lunch, services, counselor gossip and lots of laughing. My friend Stewart and I are still talking since we were 6. And others over the years I still know.

      What it all means is basic. It’s who we are. Our faith, our politics – all of it a gift from our parents and this place in Reeders, PA (near Appy’s of course). Over the years, whenever I was in a strange place I would say this is not Camp Akiba. I was just looking at the bio on line for Lynn Sherr, uncle Lou’s daughter. She was a camper with me of course and seeing her career says it all. Lots of liberal causes and concern for others. It flowed to all of us and still kept as kids. I recently called Carl, my JC in 1965. He was 18 and now 72. The 54 years turned to yesterday and he was remembering my jokes.

      I think we should thank our parents. My great dad passed early but my mom went to 103. She was an artist and writer in her senior years in La Jolla and Honolulu. I published a memoir book with her art on amazon.com “Where’s Mae? 103 Years of Art ,Love and Good Health”. with a youtube under the title. Of course Camp Akiba is in it. Now we are seniors yet still laughing from camp days. contact me via email: pacifprop@aol.com

    • Ivan Seligman September 24, 2021, 9:01 pm

      I was in Dunk 3, a waiter (living in the Zoo), and counselor at Camp Akiba- from 1969 to perhaps 1972. While I do not have children, other Seligmans were very active at the Camp.

      It’s fascinating to see the bits and pieces of Akiba history come together here…learning about the origin, and chain of various owners (Pop) Erv Miller, Mr. Bresman, Mr. Lou Scherr, Mr. Edelson, and Lenny and Harriet/Chuck Parness/Herb Lotman purchasing the camp c. 1968. Sad it closed 1997…yet the camp buildings are still there, and Howard and Adam keep the memories going strong!
      I remember Mr. Lotman’s meat trucks pulling up, Mr. Watson, the ancient baker, the cooks, the waterfront, competing with other camps, visiting day, milk bar…so much! If only “someone” could collect the stories from those who remember the past-and collate it, somehow on the ‘net.

      I have such great memories of Akiba! Hikes to Appies, Color War starting with the rope burn, sports, hiking and partying in the woods across the lake, going to 5th Dimension at Allentown Fairgrounds, and flying up with almost a full planeload of kids from Sky Lake/Miami. Some of us thought of going to Woodstock somehow, but couldn’t pull that off 1969!
      It’s amazing how many generations of campers were fortunate to have Akiba memories, and how many of their children did, too.
      Thank you to the decades of campers, counselors, other staff, who made Camp Akiba such a magical spot for so many.

    • Teri Friedman October 25, 2021, 8:57 am

      I was a camper from 1963 to 1969. I also have wonderful memories, and like Gail Stein-Raymond (also my cousin – hi, Gail!) I find myself singing bits and pieces of Color War songs at random moments. I did activities that I loved and never have done again – archery, riflery, crew (which I believe we called “war canoe”?) and swim team. Swimming remains a huge passion! Of course, my first “rock” concert – the Cowsills 😊 – when we went for our big day out to Stroudsburg. I also was sad to discover the camp was no longer in existence when I looked for my kids. I’m looking to find Susan Schwartz and Susan Liebmann – 2 bunk mates for all those years whom I adored – please be in touch if you see this? Love to all. Wonderful memories.

    • Gary Zlotnick February 21, 2022, 4:30 pm

      I was in the following bunks, Bunk ‘ 1965, Bunk 12’1966, Bunk 14 1967Sunk 2’1968, Sunk 6 1969, Tunk4,1968,Dunk2 1969. Would love to hear from anyone that shared any of those bunks with me.

    • Ellen Pritzker February 22, 2022, 9:06 pm

      Hi all! Trying to connect Teri Friedman (see comment above from 10/25/21) with her bunk mates, Susan Liebman Ladd, and Susan Schwartz. Teri, please look for either of your bunkmates on Facebook, or reach out to me at Epsfox@comcast.net and I’ll see if I can help!
      (Susan Liebman’s younger sister was one of my bunk mates!)

    • Sam Oppenheim July 4, 2022, 4:32 pm

      I attended Camp Akiba probably in 1950 and/or1951 and or/1952, while living in Harrisburg and before moving to Arizona. I remember two campers by name, _________Heilman and Steve Hatton. Are you guys out there?
      Sam Oppenheim
      Franklin, MA
      safo95350@gmail.com

    • Paul Jon Schoff July 13, 2022, 12:23 pm

      I am writing for Paul Schoff. He grew up in Allentown, PA and worked there as a lawyer after graduating law school. We went to Carnegie Mellon together and we kept in touch all these years and reconnected
      in 2020.

      Paul passed away last year and he left me his belongings. I came across Camp Akiba Plaques and Buttons. I believe he was at the camp during the years 1968-1972. I know he loved the camp and would love to pass on his belongings to someone.

      Does anyone know who I can contact to donate the items from the Camp.
      Please call or email me.
      Thanks,
      April
      718-619-5029
      apey5cass@aol.com

    • Lynn Rubin March 15, 2023, 3:36 pm

      Went to camp when Lynn Sherr was a counselor in the 50’s? Dale Atkins was a bunk mate (she is a psychologist and was on the today show when I contacted her) -I remember the show at the end of color war was The King and I -(remember the king shaved his head for the part don’t remember name but he was from Paterson,NJ and live behind my grannie on the corner of 38th St)-and the chef was Moxie (from the Sansusi) and the baker was from(Wolfies) both from Miami- remember Sunday brunch?- canoeing on the lake and of course color war- Great camp -they don’t make them like that anymore
      My 2 kids went to Red Raider camp in Cleveland -I have 4 grandchildren-(3boys and 1girl)

    • Myra Freedman Bushell April 24, 2023, 1:50 pm

      I attended Camp Akiba 1959-62…as CIT girls’ counselor/athletic -tennis instructor…just loved it and everyone there!!! Ann and Dick Brown and the principal of Masterman School..awesome directors!

    • Leah D December 23, 2023, 1:18 pm

      Hi everyone! My name is Leah.
      My grandmother attended Camp Akiba as a camper for at least summers 1933 and 1934. Photos are here https://www.facebook.com/groups/2204709155/posts/10158686702554156/ and journal entries are here https://www.facebook.com/groups/2204709155/posts/10160806543669156/.
      I went to Camp Taconic in Massachusetts and worked there for several years. My niece is a camper there now!

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