A Statement from the Reform Jewish Community of Canada of the Union for Reform Judaism about Canadian Jewish Summer Camps and Antisemitism

Earlier this week, reports surfaced of a coordinated campaign by Canadian anti-Israel groups targeting the accreditation of Jewish summer camps. Although URJ Camp George in Seguin, Ontario was not named specifically, we are horrified by this antisemitic campaign and angered that Jewish children are being used as pawns by those critical of Israel’s existence as a Jewish state. 

The Reform Jewish Community of Canada (RJCC) is part of the Union for Reform Judaism, which operates Camp George as one of 14 URJ summer camps throughout North America. Our camp is proudly Jewish. We celebrate our connections to Israel, Israeli culture, and the Israeli people – including by welcoming Israeli staff each summer. We are also very clear that it is unequivocally antisemitic to hold Jews and Jewish institutions responsible for Israeli policies, which makes this campaign so insidious. 

Per the Ontario Camping Association (OCA), camp accreditation is based on ensuring “safety, governance, and quality of programming.” We are proud that, summer after summer, Camp George creates a joyful Jewish space where we meet and exceed standards in each of those areas. 

We deeply appreciate that the OCA has already denounced this harmful campaign, identifying it as antisemitic and noting, “Campaigns such as these can be a dangerous expression of the singular demonization and wholesale attempt at the delegitimization of one minority group and have no place in camp culture or elsewhere.” We will continue to add our voice to ensure this dangerous effort is blocked at every turn at the provincial and federal levels.

As summer 2026 approaches, we are excited to welcome campers back to URJ Camp George for an unforgettable experience rooted in Jewish joy.

Reform Jewish Community of Canada

Kim Werker (she/her)

President

Union for Reform Judaism

Shelley Niceley Groff (she/her)

North American Board Chair

Rabbi Rick Jacobs (he/him)

President