Session 1 – Day 12: Found their Herzl home

Last night was one of those moments where we’re reminded here of our purpose and love of Herzl Camp. 

We finally had a dew-less day! By the time the Shabbat caravan was getting going the sun was shining and leaning toward the western horizon. The campers were showered up, still basking in the fun of Bikkurim, and dressed in white, waiting out front of their cabins in nice neat rows arm and arm with smiles on their face as the Shabbat Caravan passed them by and they got to jump on singing varieties of Shabbat songs all the way around camp… from Bim Bam to the Shehechiyanu to a slow version of Am Yisrael Chai. Shabbat at Herzl in its finest was at hand.

It was Israeli themed Shabbat this weekend and the Israeli staff showed all sides of Israeli pride, patriotism, love for country and love for Judaism. We have soldiers, we have officers, we have service volunteers as part of this year’s Shlichim.  It’s an amazing group of young people that have seen more of the world and have experienced more of life than many of our campers and staff could even imagine.

A moment that I know I won’t forget is when the IDF Navy seal, who is part of our waterfront staff, read Mourners Kaddish and gave the names of people he knew that had been lost in the war, he teared up and choked up, showing such authentic vulnerability and love. It was hard and beautiful at the same time. The Israeli staff doesn’t talk about realities of war with our little campers, but when they see such a strong, fun, devoted staff member on the verge of tears as he reads his friends names, they understand and learn by osmosis the passion and commitment of the Israeli people and the Jewish people.

These Israeli staff also helped out with song session after dinner and introduced some Israeli songs and brought back some songs that I hadn’t heard here since the 80s. One of our staff members had brought up small Israeli flags and kids were eager to be waving them as the staff was proud to be holding them up high. It was a true genuine, love for Israel and being Jewish. And of course, since it was the last Shabbat for our first session campers, they had to sing Leaving on a Jet Plane.

This morning Shabbat services ran so smoothly and our Chinuch team adjusted prayers so that these younger campers were singing along and we’re getting involved. There was a lot less “I need to go to the bathroom. Can I go fill my water bottle? She needs to go get a sweatshirt, she’s cold and I’m just going with her.” And a lot more getting up and dancing and singing along. Of course you’re always going to battle the young ones at services, but we claim progress not perfection.

Also, there was a whole cadre of campers that I was sitting near that got to watch this nature nerd get all nerdy around the two eagles that were flying past the MerCaz to and fro fishing for their young, but the coolest part is when there were quiet moments in the service, the nest is so near the MerCaz that you can actually hear the eaglets chirping for their food. Yes, my nature nerding was on high.

It was a wonderful Shabbat. These first session campers are comfortable and have found their Herzl home. They were engaged in Shabbat Sichot and rotations. Ultimate games were being played in Ozo Park, the waterfront was bustling with laughter and joy, and as I sit here writing this, as I do every night in the porch of the Director’s house, the loons are at my back talking to one another across Devils lake. I’m sure they’re telling each other how impressed they are with Herzl Campers and Herzl Shabbat. Shavua Tov! 

All is well, safely rest. 

Thanks for sending your kid to Herzl Camp

‏לילה טוב

Tommy