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Finding Spring’s Joy: Turtles, Blossoms, and New Beginnings

Posted on by Bonnie Sokol

Personally, this winter wore me down mentally. It was colder than I can remember being in a long while and, for me, going outside without good reason was not an option. Spring couldn’t come soon enough.

I adore spring in the Greater DC area; it brings a breath of fresh air, both literally and metaphorically. The cherry blossoms bloom, parks turn green, and the warmth of the sun ushers in a time of renewal. For adults and seniors, this season represents an opportunity to shake off the winter blues, reconnect with nature, and build meaningful bonds within the community. The changing of the seasons is a reminder that, like nature, we too are capable of renewal, growth, and embracing the beauty of what lies ahead.

One of the most iconic signs of spring in the Greater D.C. area is the annual cherry blossom bloom. These delicate flowers, with their soft pink and white petals, are a powerful symbol of resilience and rebirth. The trees, a gift from Japan in 1912, have become an annual spectacle, drawing visitors from all walks of life. For seniors and adults who have weathered many seasons, the cherry blossoms serve as a poignant reminder of life’s transience and the importance of savoring the present moment.

In Jewish tradition, we acknowledge this idea through the concept of “Hakarat Hatov”—recognizing the good in our lives. Much like the brief yet beautiful bloom of the cherry blossoms, we are encouraged to appreciate the fleeting yet meaningful moments that bring us joy and connection.

As I sit here writing this blog, I look out at the pond in my backyard and see the turtles sunbathing on the mound which will eventually spout a small water fountain in the coming days. Though the trees around the pond have barely begun to sprout their buds, this sign of early spring is a small moment in time that I treasure, knowing that warm weather is finally coming.

Spring also brings with it the celebration of Jewish traditions, such as Passover, a holiday deeply rooted in themes of freedom and renewal. After a winter of introspection, Passover provides a time for family gatherings, spiritual reflection, and the sharing of traditions.

If you’ve never experienced a Passover Seder before or are looking for innovative ideas for your own, our Passover Mock Seder & Chametz Dinner on Tuesday, April 8 will be a fun way to get together with friends and learn about this wonderful tradition.

After months spent indoors, spring invites us to embrace nature and prioritize wellness. The warm weather encourages outdoor activities, from biking outside with friends or gentle walks in the park to leisurely hikes in nature reserves. Being surrounded by the beauty of spring can boost mood, improve well-being, and inspire a renewed sense of energy. We have a fabulous spring trip planned for adults to visit Hillwood Estate and Gardens on May 21st with a tour of the beautiful gardens on the estate. If you’ve never been there or would love to see it again, please join us. What more could you ask for than enjoying the beauty of nature with your community and friends?

Spring in the Greater D.C. area offers a welcome reprieve from the long winter. It’s a season of renewal, a time to step outside, embrace the beauty of nature, and reconnect with others. For adults and seniors in the Jewish community, spring is a reminder that, just like the cherry blossoms, the turtles, and the daffodils, we too can emerge from the cold, find strength in community, and experience the joy of new beginnings. Whether through spiritual reflection, outdoor activities, or social events, spring brings with it an abundance of opportunities to rebuild connections, foster wellness, and celebrate the warmth of the season.

The Transformative Power of Sunrise Day Camp

Posted on by ilana Adler

Sunrise Day Camp—Greater Washington is more than just a camp; it’s a community, a family, and a lifeline for children and families who need it most. As part of the Sunrise Association, a global organization focused on bringing the joy of childhood back to children with cancer and their siblings, we are privileged to offer a place where kids can just be kids—without the weight of their circumstances. Through our summer camps, year-round programs, and in-hospital activities, we provide a safe, supportive space for children ages 3½ to 16, all at no cost to their families.

At Sunrise Day Camp, the fun doesn’t end when the summer is over. We host Sunrise Sundays throughout the year, offering familiar faces and activities that keep the spirit of camp alive and the friendships and connections intact. It’s a time for kids and families to come together, enjoy activities like sports, crafts, and science, and remind them that the magic of Sunrise is with them all year long.

In addition to the camp and monthly outings, I find one of the most heartwarming initiatives to be Sunrise on Wheels. This mobile program brings the magic of camp directly to children undergoing treatment in hospitals across the U.S., from New York to Washington D.C. and beyond. Here in the DMV, you’ll find our staff, volunteers, and tie-dye activity trunk in Inova’s L. J. Murphy Children’s Hospital and Children’s National. Each week, we’re providing a range of fun, interactive activities, from Legos® and virtual reality to arts and crafts, that help children temporarily forget about their treatments and feel the joy of being a kid again.

And it doesn’t stop there! The Wheels Up program takes the camp experience a step further, offering a series of virtual adventures that transport children to exciting places—whether it’s a playground, museum, or animal habitat. These videos are available anytime on YouTube and have touched the lives of children in more than 200 hospitals across the U.S., Canada, Israel, Australia, the U.K., and Ireland. It’s an innovative way to bring smiles to kids from all walks of life, no matter where they are.

Above all, at Sunrise, we believe that every child deserves to experience the wonder of childhood, no matter what they are facing. Through our camps, in-hospital activities, and year-round programs, we strive to create a world where children with cancer can just be kids—where they can laugh, play, and experience joy in a way that feels natural and free.

It has been such a privilege for me to get to know each of the families and to help build our amazing camp! (#itsthebestcamp). It is with mixed emotions that I will soon be leaving the Sunrise Day Camp family to begin a new professional journey. Sunrise Day Camp and the Pozez JCC have meant so much to me, and it has been an incredible experience to work alongside such a dedicated and compassionate team. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this amazing organization. What I will miss most — seeing the joy on the children’s faces, knowing that I played a small role in helping to make a challenging time in the lives of the campers and their families a little brighter.

Although I am moving on to a new role, I plan to continue supporting Sunrise in whatever way I can. One way that I will stay connected is by participating and volunteering for SunriseWALKS, the flagship fundraising event for Sunrise Day Camp – Greater Washington which will take place the morning of Sunday, April 27, 2025 at National Harbor. I encourage each of you to build a team, join a team, and/or donate. As I said in the beginning of this blog, the camp and its year-round programs can be a lifeline for our families. I hope that you will help us raise the critical funds needed to continue providing this program for the children and their families. See you at the WALK!

Highlights from Pozez JCC Summer Camp Experiences

Posted on by Shana Medel

Camp is where children, and in our case, adults, give all kinds of activities a try — archery, painting, ultimate frisbee, woodworking, theatre, and more. And with the freedom to explore comes the opportunity to figure out what they like and who they are. No pressures or expectations.

This summer, while school was out and the sun was up, people of all ages leaned into camp fun at Pozez JCC.

At Camp Achva, Judaism was intentionally boundless, and oftentimes, existing in the great outdoors. Children spent time on the soccer field and around the campfire singing Hebrew songs and learning Israeli dances. Everywhere you looked, they were doing Jewish — and having a good time. 

Children with cancer and their siblings spent their summer at Horizon Day Camp, designed to run on “yes” for those who so often hear “no.” Soccer and dance and playground fun — activities that can harm a fragile body — were all possible again because of adaptive equipment and skilled professionals.

So many memories were made at Camp Kesher, where neurodivergent teens and young adults gained independence, made friends, and had hours of outdoor fun. There were day trips and hands-on activities, including yoga and music.

At Camp Gadol, our space for adults, participants learned Yemenite basket weaving, participated in a scavenger hunt, explored Jewish wisdom on living, made s’mores over a fire, created Havdalah candles from beeswax, packed Shabbat boxes for Jewish hospital patients, and so much more. 

Every one of these camps hold magic and memory. Each is a place of experience, where moments matter in the spaces created. And there is much more to come.

Until next summer!