Alumni Corner: Laura Abrasley

When were you at CYJ Texas and in what role?

For around two years, I worked as the movement’s year-round Regional Director for TOL (Texas-Oklahoma-Louisiana). The first summer (1992) I was the Assistant Camp Director and the following summer (1993), I was the Director. Those were crazy, amazing summers!!

Where do you live today and what are you doing in life?

I live in the greater Boston area (Framingham, just west of the city) and I serve as the Senior Rabbi at Temple Shalom of Newton.

How did camp shape who you are today?

I love Jewish summer camp, because a good Jewish camp can teach kids to love being Jewish. And CYJ Texas, while not the Jewish camp I grew up at, has a special place in my heart. I was a young professional, trying to figure out if I could actually make a career as a Jewish educator. CYJ gave me the confidence to try on being a Jewish leader. All these years later, it did it’s job very well. I am a confident Jewish leader who proudly loves Judaism, Israel, and (almost) all things Texan!

What’s one nice memory from camp?

Just one? Impossible. But if you want to know what fills my heart when I think of CYJ, it would be Friday nights with services, all camp dinners, and Israeli dancing! I honestly can think of no better way to celebrate Shabbat than at camp!