Happy 50 years to a unique Messianic Camp
Our Lord and Savior is Jewish! Where can you study about the Jewish roots of your faith in Jesus? Read this to learn more
Think about a serious Bible study from a Messianic Jewish perspective in a friendly and relaxed setting, in a scenic location with fellow believers from all over the world. What could be better? This is exactly what Camp Shoshanah is all about.
Camp Shoshanah (which means rose in Hebrew) is a conference, retreat and Bible study center for believers in Yeshua, Jesus the Messiah, located on 830 acres in the scenic Adirondack mountains of northern New York State. The campus is part of Ariel Ministries, a Messianic Jewish outreach ministry that shares the Good News of Messiah Jesus with the Jewish people, and with all who will hear, discipling those who come to faith and training believers.
“It’s a great place for studying and learning. I would like to have this kind of teaching in congregations in Germany,” says Hans (65) from Germany who is visiting the camp for the fourth time. “It has increased my desire and skill to read and study the Bible directly, not relying on other people’s experiences.”
“I learned new things,” says Aviyah (12) from Israel. “I didn’t know about the covenants and dispensations.”
Celebrating 50 years!
This year, Camp Shoshanah is celebrating its 50th anniversary! Mottel Baleston, who has been involved in the camp since its early years, recalls: "I've now witnessed two generations of Messianic leaders who learned Bible at the Shoshanah campus. I was in that first generation, having first attended in 1978 and now having the privilege of teaching the second generation. The influence of Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum is great, with students who first learned here now leading Messianic congregations and serving in ministry literally around the world. We magnify the Lord who is the one who accomplished these things!”
Camp Shoshanah initially began as a one, two, then 3-week intensive Messianic Bible Study School & Family Camp each summer, taught by director Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum and other skilled Messianic Bible teachers, all mature believers in Messiah Jesus. Today, 50 years later, it is an 8-week program during July and August. But, if you think that’s too long, not to worry. You can come for all eight weeks or just a week or more, according to your preference.
Here are some of the Bible study topics: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Life of Messiah, Covenants and Dispensations, The Plan of the Ages, Messianic Jewish Theology Today, The Minor Prophets and other courses being offered on a five-year cycle.
Nick, a youth pastor, is participating in Camp Shoshanah for the sixth time as he’s been greatly impacted.
“I’ve been enjoying meeting people from all over the world. Also, as a pastor, hearing a Jewish perspective of the Jewish faith has been helpful for me. It’s a perspective that you don’t hear a lot. I started teaching "Life of Messiah" material on Zoom during COVID. It is looking at the Jewish roots of the Bible. You could miss the whole context and take Western ideas and embed them into the text – that has no place.”
Nick brought along with him the young adults of the church, and he intends to return each year.
All are invited to learn the scriptures at Camp Shoshana, which welcomes both those who are Jewish and those who are not, people who have studied the scriptures for many years, and those who are new to the word. Singles, couples and families with children attend the camp, as there are separate programs for kids and teens, with all participants gathering together for meals, worship and community events.
“I see many of the children re-commit their lives to Jesus as they learn that Jesus is more than just in the Bible but rather connected to everything they do!” says Athena Ramsey, the recreational director of the youth program. “The children bring life to the camp, and it is a joy to see them learn,” she adds.
“I’ve practically been discipled by Camp Shoshanah!” says Shlomo, a Jewish believer in Jesus, as he smiles broadly, placing his hand on his heart. It is clear that his experience is too big to put in simple words.
“My entire Christian life has been around the camp. I was saved through Ariel ministries in 1980, and since then I’ve been attending the camp in the summers,” he said.
Positive changes
As the camp expands, and with Fruchtenbaum nearing his 81st birthday, he continues to teach full-time but will transition his directorial duties to Dr. Tim Sigler, who joined Ariel Ministries in 2023.
Dr. Sigler has an expanded vision of the Shoshanah Campus: “In the coming years, we pray that the Lord will enable us to see this beautiful site serve as a recruitment center for reaching the next generation, a training center for producing discerning disciples, a command center for equipping Ariel team members, and a retreat center for encouraging faithful servants in their walks with the Lord.”
The camp is open to all who desire an in-depth bible study in a relaxed, friendly setting. Academic credit is also available through various partner institutions. Visit Ariel Ministries for more information.
Click here to learn more about the Shoshanah Campus Program, sign up for the summer 2025 session and learn about the amazing opportunities to study scripture, expand your knowledge of the Bible and grow strong in faith.
Rotem Magen is a certified family counselor and child development therapist. She was born in Israel and has five young children.
