At Camp Pembroke, “We Belong” isn’t just a theme for the summer—it’s a way of life that flows through every bunk, activity, song session, and Shabbat service. It’s in the friendships forged on the waterfront, the cheers echoing across the softball field, and the quiet moments of care between bunkmates. This summer, that spirit of connection came to life in a new and lasting way through a camp-wide art project with Jewish Studio Project. Together, campers of all ages explored what belonging means to them—through Jewish text, creativity, and collaboration—culminating in a vibrant mural that will serve as a daily reminder that at Pembroke, each of us is a valued part of the whole.
This summer, we were able to bring Jewish Studio Project and its creative methodology—the Jewish Studio Process, a unique blend of Jewish text study and creative art-making—to Camp Pembroke, thanks to support from Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP). Exploring the theme of belonging, a key indicator of wellness, hundreds of campers connected with Jewish wisdom and expressed their individual voices as part of a larger whole.
With the support of Jewish Studio Project staff, our Y’rush (entering grade 10) campers facilitated interactive games with younger campers to help them focus in and explore the concept of belonging. Inspired by a short but powerful Jewish text, each camper painted a triangle with their unique interpretation of the theme. These triangles came together to form a large-scale collaborative mural reading “We Belong/Anachnu Sheyachot” (Hebrew for “We Belong”). The result: a vibrant, permanent expression of shared identity and community that will remain at camp for years to come.
As one camper shared, “Being a part of this project with my friends reminded me that camp is a place that I really feel like I belong—in a very different and special way than other places in my life.”
The two-day project included spiritual grounding exercises, creative reflection, and hands-on art-making—an intentional process designed to foster well-being, resilience, and deeper community connections. It was particularly special to have Josh Conescu, a past Pembroke staff member and current Jewish Studio Project facilitator, help design and bring this experience to camp. The experience culminated in a camp-wide Havdalah ceremony, where the entire Pembroke community gathered to witness and celebrate the completed mural together.
“Jewish camp is a place where campers and staff develop a strong sense of belonging, connection, and identity—essential to increasing resilience and well-being,” said Brett Lubarsky, director of Jewish communal life at CJP, which provided the grant for the project. “CJP is proud to support this partnership between Camp Pembroke and Jewish Studio Project and a project that is a powerful visual representation of some of the core values that are central to the camp experience.”
The project offers a meaningful model for how Jewish Studio Project’s creative process can promote wellness through belonging. Annie Fortnow, Jewish Studio Project’s Boston regional director, shared: “The Pembroke mural project is a clear example of how creative practice can support individual well-being and communal resilience—pointing toward the potential of broader engagement with camps to foster wellness, leadership, and a deepened sense of community across the Jewish world.”
For Pembroke co-director Becca Goldman, the project reflects something essential about Pembroke life: “Every summer, we strive to create a space where each camper feels seen, valued, and connected. This mural is more than art—it’s a reflection of our values and a daily reminder that at Camp Pembroke, we truly belong to one another.”
Belonging is more than a feeling—it’s a foundation for thriving. At Camp Pembroke, projects like this one, infused with Jewish wisdom and communal creativity, remind us that when each person’s voice and vision is honored, the whole community becomes stronger. And as our campers head home after the summer, they’re leaving with an increased sense of self and connection.
Visit @CampPembroke on Instagram to see and learn more about what belonging looks like at camp!
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