Jewish camp in Northern California ravaged by forest fire

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JTA – Much of a Reform Jewish summer camp has been wiped out by forest fires sweeping across Northern California.

The Union for Reform Judaism’s Camp Newman, an hour north of the San Francisco Bay, has been “mostly destroyed” by the fires burning in Sonoma and Napa counties, the camp posted on Facebook Tuesday evening [Oct. 10]. Camp staff  have yet to be able to visit the area.

Camp is not in session, and everyone living at the campsite – along with its Torah scrolls – were rescued before the fires reached the camp.

“As many of you may have heard, since 10 p.m. last night, forest fires have been burning in Sonoma and Napa counties,” the camp’s post read. “It is with tremendous shock and sadness that we share that the majority of the buildings at our beloved Camp Newman home have been destroyed.”

The camp moved to the site in 1997 and dedicated a $4 million building last year, according to J., the Jewish News of Northern California. It serves 1,400 children.