Danya’s Final Shabbat Message – Kit-Kats, Curtain Calls, and Kleenex

Shavua Tov, Herzl Camp Parents. The final blog is coming to you after Havdalah.We had a delightful Shabbat weekend, presented beautifully by the 2025 Ozrim. Please enjoy –

Well, it’s almost time to say goodbye to the summer at camp and head back to reality. So much has happened between Day 1 and today – mostly wonderfully fantastic, but also some challenging, very exhausting, and, of course, so many proud moments for our campers and staff.
How do I wrap up the summer? I can’t capture it all in one blog, but I’ll share a couple of stories.

First, a few personal statistics:

Average daily steps: 21,000 (!)
Number of Kit-Kats enjoyed: way too many, unfortunately
Number of times I picked up a tennis racket: 5 (if you read my blog last week, that’s one more )
Number of times a week I brought up the 1992 Deaver bridge: 10-15, depending on the week

I want to share two moments from the last week that I know I’ll continue to think about after the buses depart:

A Really Fun Moment –
After 17 summers at Herzl Camp, I was finally invited to perform in 12 Gates – a weekly comedy show performed on Saturday night. I remember watching 12 Gates, before I really understood what it was, even as a very young camper. I didn’t understand why it was funny, but I knew I was excited each week to watch.

Last Saturday afternoon, I got word that I was going to be featured in Gates just a few hours later. I was instantly thrilled and terrified at the same time. I did not want to be the old lady who ruined that week’s performance for everyone. But no one seemed to listen or care about my personal dilemma and I found myself at the run-through rehearsing my lines. And even though the writers didn’t include the hilarious suggestions I made, the part that was written for me was actually very funny. I had so much fun, and performing on stage with my son will always be a very unique and special moment for both of us.

A Moment I Wasn’t Expecting –
On Thursday night, the Kadimah campers performed their play, Mamma Mia. It was so good. And I’m not just saying that because I know that Kadimah parents are reading this blog! I was blown away by what the campers and staff produced so beautifully in under 6 weeks. I watched the show from the back of the Ulam, where I’ve watched so many Kadimah plays over the years.
During the Dancing Queen number, about 20 performers were dancing on stage while the rest of the cast danced in the aisles in between the rows of benches. All of the campers were really into it – boys, girls, everyone.

It was dark in the Ulam, but I could still make out the faces of the campers dancing near me, and recognized one of the Israeli Kadimah campers in the aisle next to where I was sitting. I watched him for maybe 10 seconds before a wave of emotion swept over me. I started tearing up, and I was relieved that the lights were off, allowing me time to compose myself. Just over a month ago, this camper was at home in Israel, wondering if he would have his Herzl summer. And now, on August 7, he’s singing and dancing to one of Abba’s greatest hits with 70 other Kadimahniks in Webster, Wisconsin. I still don’t think l fully understand what hit me during that emotional moment – and perhpas I never completely will, but I know I will never forget it.

We’ve had some seriously awesome Herzl campers this summer. The past three weeks have gone by so quickly – the first day of the session feels like months ago. Third session is a perfect end for us with amazing campers who genuinely love Herzl (and some of the best weather we’ve had all season)! We’re all making the most of our final few moments together.

The familiar smell of the bus exhaust will infiltrate the fresh air we normally breathe in, and I can already picture the scene in the Chadar early Monday morning for the last breakfast. I’ll have Kleenex, the traditional blueberry muffins, and lots of hugs to give.

Shabbat Shalom for the final time this summer. May we all find peace and happiness – we’ll be together again in no time.

-danya

Senior Director of Camp & Culture