You’re not alone! 2nd Session Kadima & B’Yachad – July 11th
Well folks, the final Shabbat of second session is in the books.
It was really something to see the progression from our first Shabbat of the session to our third. It’s only three short weekends, but it continues to blow my mind how much these kids grow, how much they discover about themselves, and how quickly they become part of the Herzl family.
Shabbat at camp has an incredible way of putting an exclamation point on everything these kids have come to love about Herzl. Whether it’s racing to Amanut to make origami, gathering around a fire pit with friends making friendship bracelets they’ve now mastered, or spending every possible minute at the waterfront, which was absolutely packed both rotations today because it wasn’t cool, Shabbat highlights all of it.
But it also shines a spotlight on the things that make Herzl Camp…Herzl Camp.
The first Shabbat, our youngest campers watch Twelve Gates, our version of Saturday Night Live—and they kind of half pay attention. Tonight, though, when those famous words, “So there we were…” were spoken, every kid in that Chadar erupted in cheers like we’d just won the Super Bowl. Something I still hope our Vikings do someday…but that’s just the hopeless hope of a lifelong Minnesotan. Anyway, I digress.
Now they understand the Chipwich chant. They understand why Kadima climbing the Wall is such a big deal. They understand the pride behind the B’yachad projects and what they mean to our community. And they understand that Shabbat services aren’t just about going to services. They learn a fun interactive experiential service that is uniquely camp. They’re about gathering with fellow Jews, being proud of who they are, and realizing just how special it is to belong, not only to the Herzl community, but to the Jewish community as a whole.
It is remarkable to watch kids develop.
Last night at Kabbalat Shabbat, I, as usual, stay back with the campers while about half the staff make their way to the Chadar to get everything ready, making sure all the tables have good staf coverage (because we eat as one big group, rather than by cabin), prepare to welcome everyone in (by singing Shalom Alechem), and preparing for dinner. Usually I spend those five or six minutes telling a story or sharing a lesson from the week’s Torah portion (Which I pull from Rabbi Jonathan Sachs weekly teaching email) or our Middah of the Week.
Last night, though, I simply asked them to raise their hands.
“Raise your hand if you’ve made a new friend.”
Every hand went up.
I said, “look around, you’re not alone”
“Raise your hand if you’ve tried something new.”
Every hand went up.
I said, “look around, you’re not alone”
“Raise your hand if you’ve become friends with someone you never imagined you’d be friends with.”
Every hand went up.
I said, “look around, you’re not alone”
Then I reminded them what it means to be the Chosen People, reminding them of what they had learned during last week’s Shabbat Sichot. We aren’t chosen because we’re better than anyone else. We aren’t chosen because we’re cooler than anyone else. We’re chosen because of our responsibility, to help repair the world, to perform acts of loving kindness, to work hard, to study Torah and the wisdom it offers, to be gracious, compassionate, and welcoming. I could go on.
Being chosen isn’t about privilege. It’s about purpose. And understanding that is what makes it so meaningful. A lesson we perform every day here at Machaneh Paradise.
Before we headed into dinner, I reminded the campers of one more thing. None of this happens without their parents making it possible. I told them that one of the best ways to show their appreciation is to make the most of every moment they’re here, to come home even prouder of who they are, and to want to come back and do it all again. Because being Jewish is cool, but being Herzl Jewish is the coolest!
They may only be here for three weeks or six weeks, but we hope Herzl Camp will live in their hearts for the next forty-nine or forty-six weeks. And they can celebrate that, with Herzl Camp in their lives, they’re not alone!
We can’t wait to welcome them home again next summer.
Thank you for sending your kid to Herzl Camp!
All is well. Safely rest.
,לילה טוב
Tommy