The Nostalgic Uniform of Jewish Summer Camp
Inspired by the woodsy summers of the Jewish coming-of-age, our new Camp Havurah apparel line celebrates a universal experience of our youth, reimagined for a generation online.
Abby Sultanik in the Product Of tee (Hana Mendel)
Designed by Havurah’s Creative Director Eitan Gutenmacher and photographed by the virtuosic Hana Mendel, Camp Havurah imagines a world adorned by the often-overlooked summer camp merchandise.
“We all grew up with this clothing, and I just wanted to recreate the pieces I wish we didn’t grow out of.”
EITAN GUTENMACHER DESIGNER
Camp Havurah romanticizes the angst, awkwardness, and beauty of the Jewish coming of age. In Jewish media, summer camp is usually represented as a silly joke. To most of us, though, the woodsy backdrops of our childhood summers played a pivotal role in our adolescents and upbringing, and are therefore a fundamental part of the contemporary Jewish experience. This collection is all about celebrating and playing with this nostalgia.
Hana Mendel spoke to us about creating the photo series for this project.
“Summer camp is where Jewish kids become who they are—or at least, where they figure out who they don’t want to be.”
HANA MENDEL PHOTOGRAPHER
Abby Sultanik in our Shabbos Walk Tee (Hana Mendel)
“It’s not just about friendships that last a lifetime; it’s the secret network behind every game of Jewish geography and the great incubator for the forging of American Jewish identity.”
Sam Deutch in our Athletic Arts Hoodie (Hana Mendel)
“In these photographs, I aim beyond the kitsch, diving into the curiosity of adolescence. What stories are told through a glance, a gesture, a choice of clothing? The details are everything—the quiet intimacy of pinkies interlaced on a Shabbos walk, or the striking image of a girl sunbathing with a Gemara.”
Yosef Itzkowitz in our Athletic Arts Baseball tee (Hana Mendel)
Shop the new collection now, available in the Havurah Gift Shop.
