Maybe you’ve seen her friendly face at services, eaten a couple of her chocolate chip cookies at a pot luck, or have been delighted to receive a handmade gift made by a student in the Hebrew School. If so, you probably know who this member spotlight is about – it’s Julie Campisi.
Julie has been a member of the Etz Chaim congregation since 2001, and says her favorite aspect of the temple is the “warm and inviting family atmosphere.” Through the years her family has participated in many activities, special events and educational programs. In fact, all 3 of her kids – Adam, Katie and Sarah Beth – have gone to Hebrew School, and 3 years of Confirmation. (They have also had Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.) In addition to supporting her own children, Julie has been the Etz Chaim Arts and Crafts teacher since 2007. In this role she has lead and inspired lots of kids with projects like decorating candlesticks, painting Seder plates, and shaping clay dreidels. Many families report that these masterpieces are brought out year after year and have become integral aspects of their holiday traditions.
Speaking of holidays, Julie’s favorite holiday is Passover – how timely for this article! Every year she uses a Seder plate and Kiddush cup that were painted by her kids, dishes and glasses that were handed down through the family. “Passover, to me, is about family traditions”. Keeping with tradition her family uses a traditional hagaddah (the original Maxwell House publication passed down from her grandmother Mimi.) She recounts a favorite Passover story, “one year we couldn’t find the Afikomen. It took us over an hour to realize that my grandfather ate it!”
Julie loves cooking for Passover, including many traditional dishes like her grandmother’s keugel, charoset and a flourless chocolate torte. Over the years, Julie has modified many non-Passover recipes for Passover – like Kosher for Passover Banana Bread and Kosher for Passover Chocolate Chip Cookies. She was very kind share a few of her favorite recipes with us. Check out these Passover recipes:
Mimi’s Not Quite Homemade Gefilte Fish
Charoset
Chocolate Macaroons
Julie’s Passover Tollhouse Cookies
Julie is on the Etz Chaim Board of Directors. Julie and long-time friend, fellow congregant and board member Maureen King are currently researching a new contact management software package to help with all organizational aspects of member relations.
Outside of the temple, Julie is very connected to the Saco community. When the kids were in school, Julie spent 16 years in the schools’ PTOs, Thornton Academy’s athletic boosters and many other organizations. She sat on Saco’s Festival of Trees committee for 5 years and for the past 10 years has created absolutely magnificent gingerbread houses that have been displayed at the Saco Museum.
Most recently, Julie and her father, Barry Marcus (also a member), wrote and published a book titled, Watches I Have Known, about his experiences as a third generation watchmaker. In an authentic voice that King says “is like hearing Barry tell stories at my kitchen table,” the book is a fascinating read that spans seven decades. “It was one of the most amazing projects I have completed,” says Julie. “It wasn’t our intention to write a book. The project began as a way to preserve ‘Papa Barry’ stories for his grandchildren. After working on writing and editing my dad’s stories, I thought we had something special enough to self-publish.” Watches I Have Known is available at Amazon.com where it has received several 5-star ratings. Locally, Watches I Have Known is on sale at Nonesuch Books in Biddeford Crossings.
Julie works as an Ed Tech at Saco Middle School. She lives in Saco with her husband Michael, kids and her Yorkie-poo Fenway.