OUR HISTORY – ACHDUS IS BORN
 The year was 1999. At that time, the Orthodox Jewish community of Philadelphia was faced with a blatant void. It did not have a summer program for its children. The excellence in growth that was achieved by the students of Politz Hebrew Academy and Torah Academy during the school year was undeniably remarkable. Would all of that be lost during the ten long weeks of summer that lay ahead?
As the summer drew nearer, parents of young children could be found scrambling; a camp, a playgroup, indeed, a baby sitter would suffice.
Rabbi’s Gedalia and Tuvia Goldstein, then in their high school years, motivated by the mission to fill this void, opened Camp Achdus to several young boys. In its infancy, the camp was operated out of the home of Mr. Mark and Judy Goldstein and utilized nearby ball fields for outdoor recreation.
The camp grew rapidly. By 2001, Achdus’ success had increased its camper enrollment to thirty-five. In the winter of 2002, following Achdus’ third year of operation, the Goldstein brothers were approached by Mr. Jeff Fuchs who proposed that a partnership between Achdus and the JCC’s Klein Branch be formed. This merger would enable Achdus to collect much needed scholarship funding for those families who were unable to shoulder the expense of the camp’s modest tuition fees.
Camp Achdus operated under the auspices of the JCC’s Klein Branch for six successful summers at the off-site locations of Adath Zion Congregation in Northeast Philadelphia and Young Israel of Elkins Park as its camper enrollment grew to sixty-five.
Camp Achdus is, today, a 501c3 organization whose program is home to ninety boys during the summer months. Campers range in age from four to fourteen and hail from Philadelphia, Lower Merion, and Cherry Hill.
WHY CAMP?
Experts in the field of education today unanimously agree that summer camp is no longer the luxury it once was. Bombarded by anti-social, anti-moral influences from all sides, today’s child and adolescent need somewhere safe to turn to during the months of vacation between years of school.
WHY ACHDUS?
For ten months a year, our young and tender children are subject to the pressures and rigidity that must be a part of every successful school program. For many, such an environment does not allow for the opportunity to absorb the valuable lessons they have learned and to integrate these lessons into the moral fabric of their lives.
 In addition, the speed at which the world now changes creates an exaggerated gap between rebbe and talmid that once was nonexistent. For this reason, having a “big brother” who one can look up to for support and guidance can play a vital role in the growth of a child.
At Achdus, our campers find the comfort of a relaxed environment together with the guidance of young bnei Torah who they can befriend and look up to. This setting, with the help of Hashem, has helped make real the hopes and aspirations of parents for their children.
“GETTING WITH THE PROGRAM”
The smiles on our campers’ faces speak far louder than words. From learning made fun to baseball, from swimming to biking, and from camping out under the stars to Dorney Park, there’s not much we don’t do! Achdus is dedicated to excellence in Torah camping. But like we’ve said, you’ve got to see it to believe it. So, watch an Achdus video or just scroll through some of our pictures. But first, be sure to adjust the volume control on your computer appropriately because the images on your screen will scream, “WE LOVE CAMP!”. Click here to learn more about our program.
HOW CAN I HAVE A PART?
There are several camp families who are in need of financial assistance beyond the help they receive from Jewish Federation. Sponsor a session of camp for a child and make your hopes and aspirations a reality! Click here to learn more/donate.
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