Community – July 28th

Hello everyone,

Every night when I sit down to write these Ted Talks, I think about all the different things I could tell you about from our day. There are a hundred stories happening at any given moment around camp, and I usually have to pick just one.

Today was our last full Tuesday of the summer of 2026 at Machaneh Herzl. It truly goes by in a blink.

Sure, there are days that feel a little longer than others. There are moments that drag because, despite what you may think, it can’t be all unicorns and rainbows all day long. But then you look back, and somehow eight (or six, or three, or…) weeks have passed in what feels like an instant.

This morning I spent most of my time with B’yachad, and that’s where I want to focus tonight. For those of you with younger campers, maybe this gives you a glimpse of what’s ahead. And for those of you with B’yachad campers, I hope it gives you a sense of just how much growth happens here around, and in between, all of the fun.

B’yachad is the final chapter of the traditional camper journey at Machaneh Herzl. The next time these campers return, many of them will hopefully be Ozrim. They have one foot walking out of being campers and the other stepping toward becoming staff members, beginning to understand the responsibility, privilege, and leadership that comes with that incredible role.

One of the cornerstones of B’yachad is Avodah. Not work just for the sake of working. Work as giving back, as serving your community, as leaving a place better than you found it, and work that improves your community while, in the process, improving yourself.

That’s what Avodah is all about.

At the beginning of the summer, the campers divide into work groups. Throughout the session they’ve tackled projects all over camp, and even beyond our gates. I’ve shared before about the opportunities they’ve had to help in our local communities, but they’ve also taken on projects right here at Herzl that make camp a better place for everyone who comes after them.

The lesson behind all of it is simple, serving others is one of the best ways to grow yourself.

This morning we welcomed a wonderful organization from the Twin Cities that operates small intimate memory care homes for adults living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. They talked with our campers about volunteer opportunities for high school students, spending time with residents playing cards, listening to or playing music, looking through old photographs, talking about life, or simply sitting together.

One story really stuck with me about a resident who loved working on cars. His memory may not always cooperate anymore, but when someone gives him the chance to talk about repairing engines or hands him a wrench to tinker with, that passion comes rushing back. Our campers could see firsthand that while dementia takes so much away, it often leaves behind the things people loved most.

Watching our campers realize that helping someone relive those joyful moments can be deeply meaningful was incredibly powerful. They learned that there are rewards in life that don’t come with trophies, grades, or applause. Sometimes the greatest reward is simply making another human being smile.

We also learned that many of the residents in these communities are Jewish, and they’re looking for young people to help bring Shabbat to them, to sit around a table, say the blessings, share a meal, sing songs, and recreate that beautiful Shabbat feeling of Jewish community that we experience every single Friday night here at Herzl.

Many of these B’yachad campers hope to become Ozrim next summer. As part of that application process, they’ll complete volunteer hours in their own communities. Today they met an organization that not only gives them that opportunity, but also helps them keep track of their service, their acts of loving kindness, and their own small contributions toward Tikkun Olam, repairing the world.

We also welcomed a rabbi to camp today, who spent time with several campers. Of course, rabbis are always welcome because they usually arrive with treats. But they also arrive with perspective. They remind us that the Jewish world isn’t really all that big, and that we’re all connected to one another in ways we sometimes forget.

And because caring for our staff is just as important as caring for our campers, we also welcomed a representative from the University of Minnesota Hillel. She wasn’t just there to talk about one campus, but she represented Hillel communities across the country. Organizations like Hillel and Chabad, on college campuses are places where many of our staff members will find Jewish community, support, friendship, and belonging as they head off to college.

When you step back and look at the day, you realize it wasn’t just about the beautiful community we’ve built at Herzl Camp. It was about reminding all of us that Herzl is only one chapter in a much larger story. Our job isn’t just to create a magical six weeks (or three, or two), it’s to prepare young Jews to go out into the world, find community, build community, serve community, and strengthen community wherever life takes them.

That’s a lesson that will last a whole lot longer than six weeks (…or three, or two).

So thank you for sending your kid to Herzl Camp.

All is well. Safely rest.

,לילה טוב

Tommy