Proud to be Jewish – July 20th
Evenin’ everybody!
Today, we were really proud to be Jewish.
One of the things I love most about Herzl Camp being a pluralistic Jewish camp is that we get to open a whole bunch of different doors into Judaism. Every camper walks through those doors a little differently. Some connect through prayer, some through music, some through acts of kindness, some through Israel, some through friendships, and some because they just really like singing loud enough to shake the walls of the Chadar.
But they all end up in the same place. They leave understanding that being Jewish is cool!
It also gives us the freedom to teach Judaism in ways that are creative, memorable, and, quite honestly, a whole lot more fun than sitting in a classroom (though of course that has its place).
Tomorrow is Yom Yisrael, and our incredible Israeli staff has been planning it for weeks. I’ll save that story for tomorrow night’s Ted Talk because I have a feeling it’s going to deserve one of its own.
Today, though, was one of those days where I found myself smiling because I got to watch Judaism come alive in so many different ways.
First, Rabbi Jill Avrin from the JCRC is spending a few days with us. She’s been working alongside our staff, leading creative and interactive programming. What I appreciate most isn’t that she’s leading it, it’s that she’s teaching our counselors how to lead it. Our campers look up to these young adults. Watching a counselor they admire talk proudly about being Jewish has an impact that lasts well beyond camp.
The coolest thing I’ve seen so far is a program she calls T’Filoat.
Yes…it’s exactly what it sounds like.
She loads a cabin onto the pontoon right after breakfast and heads out onto the lake for Shacharit. There is something pretty special about praying while floating on a calm Northwoods lake. It’s peaceful, it’s uniquely camp, and somehow the guitar has managed to stay dry so far. (Don’t hold me to that by the end of the week.) There may be a quick dip for the campers to seal it up…and before anyone asks, yes, the lifeguards are there.
Then this afternoon we welcomed Rabbi Shmuly and his wife, Rochi, from Chabad Minnetonka for a visit. They brought incredible energy.
Campers had opportunities to put on tefillin, say prayers for Israel, give tzedakah, write letters to people they care about as acts of kindness, and learn a couple brachot over food which, thanks to all the treats they brought, gave everyone plenty of opportunities to practice.
Then came one of those moments that I wish every parent could have seen.
Just before Chug Bet, campers started gathering around the picnic tables. Rabbi Shmuly simply asked everyone to stop, raise their right hand, cover their eyes, and together nearly our entire camp recited the Shema. When it ended, at Shmuly’s cue, the whole place erupted with a loud, joyful, unmistakable…Am Yisrael Chai!
No one had to convince these kids to participate. No one had to explain why it mattered. They just did it.
In today’s world, there are moments when being visibly and proudly Jewish can feel complicated. That’s exactly why places like Herzl Camp matter so much.
For a few weeks every summer, these kids get to experience what Jewish joy looks like. They see counselors who are proud to be Jewish. They meet rabbis from different movements. They pray on pontoon boats. They sing Hebrew songs at the top of their lungs. They celebrate Israel, perform mitzvot, and along the way make lifelong friends.
And somewhere, without even realizing it, they begin to understand that Judaism isn’t just something they have, it’s something they’re proud to be.
I know tonight’s Ted Talk isn’t as detailed as some others. Your pal Tommy finally ran out of hours in the day. It was one of those wonderfully full camp days. But I didn’t want to go to bed without telling you just how, once again, proud your campers made me today.
So, thank you for sending your kid to Herzl Camp!
All is well. Safely rest.
,לילה טוב
Tommy