Danya’s Shabbat Message – Week 7: They’ll Always Have Their Camp Friends

Dear Herzl Families –

I’m delighted to share the final weekly message this summer. Wow, the end of another camp season is upon us – I always wonder how the days can sometimes feel so endless, yet the entire summer comes and goes in the blink of an eye. And then it’s over and we count down until the next summer. But not quite yet – we still have a few more hours together.

I appreciate the extra time I had to write my message, and it worked out nicely to wait until after Shabbat so I could share a special moment from Saturday night.

It was time for Havdalah, and everyone was making their way to the sports field to join the Ozrim for the conclusion of Ozo Shabbat. I wasn’t in a particularly good mood that evening. I was having one of those days where it felt like I was constantly reminding someone to do something they were already supposed to be doing. I was tired, and my patience was gone.

I hung back as everyone walked over because I wasn’t really in the mood to be in the middle of the crowd. But it was the last Shabbat. The last Havdalah. I knew I’d regret watching it from a distance. So I quickly walked over as it was about to start and slipped into one of the groups of people already swaying back and forth. To my delight, the person on my left was my son. Even though we work at the same camp, we don’t get to spend that much time together so it’s always fun for me when I have a little time with him.

The Ozrim began to lead the Havdalah blessing, and when it was time for the crowd to join in, we all did, and with gusto. It sounded like every single person on that field was singing. About halfway through, I got a little emotional watching everyone simply being together. I wondered how many of these kids – campers and staff – spent the last year navigating challenges related to being Jewish – at school, with other organizations, or in other places. I wondered how many of them felt they needed to hide they were Jewish because it was easier. Or safer. And now, here they were, surrounded by 500+ people singing a Jewish blessing loudly and proudly. And with so much joy.

And I mean everyone was into it. Even the campers I would’ve expected to be more interested in what was happening after Havdalah than during it. I was thankful I made myself go because it was exactly what I needed to remind myself that the frustrating moments are few and far between and how easy it is to remember why I love this place so much.

At the conclusion of Havdalah, we wished each other a Shavua Tov – a good week. Hugs and high-fives followed as the crowd started making its way back to the cabins. I noticed some of the hugs lingered a few seconds longer than usual, no doubt to help ease the sadness people were already feeling about the end of camp.
I get sad at the end of every summer, too. It’s a different kind of sadness than I felt when I was a camper or counselor, way back when it felt like the world was ending and I’d never have a reason to smile or laugh again. What I feel now iis gratitude and pride for everything we accomplished together, while knowing that this place that’s been so full of life will soon be very quiet.

From start to finish, this summer has been exceptional. And the reason is simple – it’s because of our staff and Ozrim!
So as this summer comes to a close, I want to dedicate it to them. These incredible people who help campers discover parts of themselves by ripping their cool card, and that even the simplest moments can become the most memorable with a little shtick. They teach them they can do hard things, what real friendship looks like, and what it means to be proud Jews and proud Zionists.
And that wherever life takes them, they will always have their camp friends.

Thank you for sending your children to Herzl Camp and for trusting us with their care. We are so fortunate to have a community of camp families who believe so deeply in what Herzl is all about.

Happy Monday

-danya