Jewish camping: A rite of passage for contemporary Jewish adolescents

Ritual activity facilitates identity development during all stages of the lifespan and has particular significance during the adolescent stage (Erikson, 1966). The ritual archetype appears across scientific disciplines and can be observed in the fields of Psychology, Anthropology, Mythology, and Religion. An examination of the similarities and disciplines of the various ritual archetypal manifestations may offer greater insight into the nature of the ritual process. Margaret Mahler's Separation-Individuation process depicted an infant's early formation of self and other through ritual negotiations with a primary caregiver. Peter Blos expounded Mahler's theory by proposing that adolescents encountered a second separation-individuation process during their teen years that enabled them to form a separate adult identity. The Separation-Individuation processes described by Mahler and Blos share remarkable structural similarities with Van Gennep's Rite of Passage model that depicted three phases: separation, initiation, and incorporation. Victor Turner and Joseph Campbell later expanded Van Gennep's Rite of Passage model in their respective disciplines.;Today's Western societies offer substantially less communal ritual activity to adolescents than in the past. Consequently, contemporary adolescents are struggling to define themselves and find their place in the world. Due to the lack of formalized ritual, these adolescents create their own rituals to mark transitions that are often dangerous. Contemporary Judaism has also experienced a depletion of ritual activity as non-traditional sects have split away from traditional Judaic practices, and a greater number of Jews define themselves as secular.;Research has shown that Jewish residential camping provides an informal educational experience that facilitates both adolescent identity development and Jewish identity development. The separate space inherent in residential camping provides a fertile ground for a rite of passage to occur. Research has also demonstrated that the Adventure Education Model reflects the rite of passage structure and can elicit challenging and safe, initiation experiences that foster growth. It is the purpose of this dissertation to apply ritual theory, Informal Jewish Education, the Adventure Education Model, and personal narratives of former campers to create a 15-day Jewish Residential camp curriculum for adolescents that will facilitate a rite of passage into a Jewish community with Jewish values.