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Heart to Heart
Camp Mountain Chai: Culmination of a Dream,

San Diego Jewish Times, Sept. 9, 2005, page 14.

By Gert Thaler

           His name is Ed Samiljian.

            From out of the blue he emerged onto the San Diego scene only a few short years ago and threw himself, head and heart, into community action.  It’s an understatement, “action”, because Samiljian comes on at full steam and keeps going until his goal is reached, small or big project.

            When he threw himself, like I said, head and heart bound, into the creation of a Jewish campsite to benefit San Diegans some people were sure he would run into a wall. 

            But their reckoning showed that they didn’t really know the kind of fuel Ed’s mind runs on.  Loaded with hi-octane and with Todd Kobernick as Camp President, his main quarterback, the two of these guys receiving strong support from JCC Executive Director, Michael Cohen, proceeded to go at full power into  fund raising  hi-jinks that have produced phenomenal support.  Heading the Executive Board as Chairperson is Elaine Galinson with Dr. Jack Bark serving as its Secretary and Samiljian as Treasurer.  Further enhanced by a Board of Directors consisting of 15 community leaders, the group has worked tirelessly to bring proposed programs into reality starting with the opening day of camp in June, 2006.

            All that was in the recent past when other campsites, once thought ideal, had to be discarded and, like sages from long ago predicted, “this too shall pass, and behold!  A miracle will bring us joy!”.

            Joy turned into reality and on Sunday, August 28th, I joined about 400 happy campers as we were taken via bus up and around and around some more and then a few more of the same until we suddenly emerged into densely forested mountain top country, 3 and a ½ hours out of San Diego into the setting which Murray Galinson described during  the dedication ceremony saying, “If you don’t feel closer to God while standing in this place, then you will never again have such an experience”. Galinson, who borrowed his daughter’s words, made that profound statement as he stood before the vast crowd surrounded by towering fir trees as we sat on  logs  listening to the eloquent praise heaped on Samiljian for his vision.

            Dozens of volunteers were strategically placed to lead us visitors along the many trails as we covered the campsite.  Lunch was served in the oversized dining hall where 500 people can be comfortably seated after circling the abundant buffet choosing from a variety of foods prepared in the immaculate kosher kitchen by an expert crew.

Certainly the day’s viewers were a cross section of San Diego’s Jewish populace, coming from every different synagogue and organizations as well as those who are unaffiliated some of  whose children attend any one of our Jewish Day Schools as well as other private and public schools scattered all over the county.

            Camp Mountain Chai’s Executive Director, Len Keilin emphasized one  of its goals in an outreach program which will be to make the camp experience available to children whose homes may not observe Jewish rituals, such as candle lighting or blessings over wine or  bread, all activities which will take place during the camping period and which, hopefully, most children will bring back to their homes.

             “Share the Magic” Keilin encouraged the crowd and several young families signified their enthusiasm by signing up during the day to be among the first San Diegans on opening day next summer. Information on accommodations, activities and the site itself as well as costs can all be obtained by contacting the Camp Mountain Chai  office located at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center or via phone, 858  535  1995.  Or at its website, www.campmountainchai.com

            Taking Highway #15 north we turned onto #215 thence to #10 and upward winding around high rising mountains that saw a magical change of scenery from the heat and humidity of the San Bernardino/Redlands area into a moderate temperature of 80 degrees and low humidity factor.  Surrounded by the denseness of the towering trees as we drove the last 30 miles, passing Jenks Lake  Road, we suddenly rounded a bend in the trail and the sign proclaiming “WELCOME TO CAMP MOUNTAIN CHAI WHERE GOOD FUN, GREAT FRIENDS AND A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES AWAIT YOU!”

            Growing up in San Diego in the 1940’s and beyond until today, we were not able to offer our children a camping experience.  Many families did send their off spring to camps beyond Los Angeles and in some instances, to distant east coast Jewish camps.  Since I had never had the experience as a young San Diegan I was not acquainted with such activities and thus became a “camp mother” each summer schlepping not only my own two but letting other kids attach themselves to my apron strings.

Able to accommodate groups of 20 to 600, there are six separate meeting lodges and up to the minute conference facilities.  Every guest cottage and sleeping facility has its own bathroom.  Numerous groups throughout the city have already booked positive dates for such meetings both within and outside of the local Jewish community. 

            In unison the Board of Directors, their officers and staff members have echoed their invitation for Jewish parents to give their children the unforgettable experience of  sharing a residential summer camp for children ages 8 to 16.  By establishing an atmosphere of knowledge and love for Jewish culture, religion and traditions such Jewish identity becomes a part of everyday life and continues on throughout a lifetime.

Camp professionals have documented the advantages of such experience and point to the fact that lifelong friendships have been established plus the development of independence and self-worth. 

Best said, at 7,200 feet a real Alpine feeling envelops the campsite.  There truly is magic in the mountains around Camp Mountain Chai  where early Native Americans considered this a sacred land with its clear, cool  air.

Jewish camping began in the United States 102 years ago and  there are now 130 Jewish camps, most not connected to a religious movement, the same as Camp Mountain Chai and all dedicated to meeting the needs of the entire Jewish community.

Applause, applause! To Ed Samiljian as the Man or the Hour for his forthright vision and to all those who have given their time (and lots and lots and lots of their financial support) to bringing Ed’s dream into full bloom.  Mazal tov and naches.