Every summer, campers at Chestnut Ridge-based Camp Shalom eagerly anticipate the prize sheet that comes with the kickoff for the SINAI Schools Swim-a-thon. But as exciting as the prize aspect is, the Swim for SINAI has become part of a community activity for Camp Shalom. Chabad Kiddie Camp, a preschool camp in Teaneck under Rabbi and Rebbetzin Simon, also hosts a “pint-sized” Swim for SINAI each summer.
SINAI Schools provides special education for children with a wide range of complex learning disabilities and special needs. “This is an incredible opportunity for children of all ages, starting from a very tender 3 years old, to understand and empathize that there are many children out there who have special needs, are gifted in many ways and who have a school to come to that is their safety zone,” explained SINAI’s Chief Development Officer Esti Herman. Now in its sixth year, Swim for SINAI is not only about raising very necessary funds, but also about educating the community about SINAI and its role in Jewish education.
This year, Teaneck resident and Yeshivat Noam Morah Ilana Rauzman stepped in as chairwoman of Swim for SINAI. “I’ve been going to the SINAI dinner for years,” said Rauzman, “and I felt inspired to jump in and volunteer. SINAI opened their arms and welcomed me in.” With her enthusiastic nature she saw the positivity and collaboration from the two camps already participating and looked to bring that partnership to other community camps as well.
“When Ilana got in touch with me I couldn’t think of a better way to help and have fun,” said Shira Kronenberg, who runs a preteen traveling camp simply known as “Camp Shira.” Though the days are jam-packed with fun activities, as anyone following Camp Shira on Facebook can clearly see, Kronenberg recognizes the importance of being an active, giving member of the community and includes a weekly chesed activity. Camp Shira organized a “fun run” for SINAI, which they dubbed Sweat for SINAI, and reached out to friends and families to sponsor them in a jog around Votee Park. Though the weather was hot and humid, Shira’s team could not be stopped. Their smiles, cheers and teamwork brought out the “fun” in the “fun run.”
Camp Shalom and Chabad Teaneck, the veterans of the Swim for SINAI, each hosted their events on Thursday. The warm summer weather was a perfect day to splash in the pool, and both camps brought their enthusiasm—and sunscreen—and swam for SINAI. Rabbi Yehoshua Gold, director of Camp Shalom, addressed the campers before the swim-a-thon and gave them an inside look at how their swimming and fundraising efforts benefit the students of SINAI. When he is not running around the vast property of Camp Shalom, walkie-talkie in hand and signature Camp Shalom red polo, Rabbi Gold serves as the assistant director of SINAI’s Maor High School at the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in West Orange. “I believe so strongly in what SINAI does,” Rabbi Gold told The Jewish Link. “They provide an excellent education for children with a range of abilities. Camp Shalom is always excited to be able to host this important fundraiser for SINAI Schools in our beautiful pools.
Anyone attending Chabad Kiddie Camp the day of Swim for SINAI would have noticed the brightly colored displays and photo booth props. Miriam Kaminetzky coordinates with Rabbi and Rebbetzin Simon and together their warmth and energy bring the swim-a-thon to the camp as well. “As always, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Simon are so supportive of everything we do,” said Kaminetzky. “They help make Swim for SINAI as successful as it has been each year.”
“These programs are entirely volunteer run, and we are extremely grateful for everyone’s contributions of time and effort,” said Abigail Hepner Gross, director of communications for SINAI Schools. “We are so grateful to Ilana Rauzman, chairwoman of Swim for SINAI, and her incredible team of volunteers, Jenny Gans, Miriam Motechin and Miriam Kaminetzky, who have given so much of their time and energy to make this an incredibly successful and dynamic event,” said Herman.
With three SINAI events successfully completed, the committee eagerly anticipates the two new camps and their upcoming August events. Camp Al HaDerech, a travel camp for girls, and Camp Slapshots, a sports camp for boys, both joined the list of camps partnering with SINAI for events. No longer just a “Swim for SINAI” type of activity, this is now expanding to include “Sweat for SINAI” and “Score for SINAI.” Herman sees this not only as fundraising, “but as a chance to create a ripple effect in educating and sensitizing our community and our children.”
“Swim for SINAI is a beautiful illustration of how individual people can really make a difference,” said Rabbi Dr. Yisrael Rothwachs, dean of SINAI Schools. “Here you have Dov and Dvora [Brandstatter], friends of SINAI and community supporters, along with Aggie Siletski, herself a SINAI parent, who came to us with an idea of how to raise money for our schools, and then set everything in motion themselves—all to benefit our students. Swim for SINAI not only exposes the campers to the concept that there are things that they can do easily that other children struggle over, but it teaches them that they can do something to help. By participating in Swim for SINAI, even the youngest children are helping to make a difference,” he said.
“It is crucial for people to understand that all of the proceeds collected for these events go to the SINAI scholarship fund,” said Herman. It helps provide funding for children and their families who would not otherwise afford this wonderful education and the many other vital services that SINAI provides. In past years, Swim for SINAI has raised tens of thousands of dollars, helping supplement tuition aid packages at a time when they are greatly needed.
In the classic glass-half-empty versus glass-half-full debate, Rauzman, with her signature energy, looks at the glass half full, or in this case, the summer half full, and wants everyone to know, “Summer isn’t over yet and there is still time for more camps to join our event. Just reach out and we can work with you.”
To learn more about SINAI, go to www.SINAISchools.org. To sponsor a camper, visit http://www.sinaischools.org/swimathon.
By Jenny Gans
