We have been a Capital Camps family for many, many years, but Ive NEVER felt more proud to be a part of this incredible community than I am today - and SO happy Jared and Jordan are immersed in a place that celebrates a love of Judaism and Israel. Here is a letter from the on-staff Rabbi. #ShabbatShalom to all who love Israel. Boker Tov Friends of Capital Camps, We returned yesterday evening from a beautiful, full and fun day at Hershey Park! Walking around the park, it was easy to see how much our campers and staff were enjoying themselves - and the chocolate! This evening we will welcome Shabbat, our day of rest, as well as some special guests: the parents of our third-year staff members, and a troupe of Israeli acrobats. As in past summers, we are blessed this year to have a mishlachat, a delegation of Israeli counselors. This session, we are also thrilled to welcome a group of 12 Israeli campers as well. Though this was planned long before the summer, since many of the kids are from the southern part of Israel, their time at camp has become a respite from the rockets. It is not easy to figure out how to react to the current situation in Israel while at camp. To give you a small window into the complexity: for some of our campers, this place is a bubble and an escape from the real world. For others, the need for news and information is pressing. Some campers come from families who share this kind of news with their children; others come from families who try to protect their kids from hearing it. And yet, it also feels wrong to do nothing when our brothers and sisters in Israel are suffering. So what are we doing? Were caring for our family. One week ago, we all dressed in blue as a visual prayer for peace and to show our support for our Israeli family. On Tuesday and Wednesday of this past week, with sensitivity to the developmental stages of our campers, we invited them to write thank you cards and letters to Israeli soldiers. I want to share the texts from a few of them written by our youngest campers with you (kid spelling and all!): * Dear Soldiers: We thank you for serving our country (ancestor country). We are so amazed in how much work you do to keep our country safe. Whenever youre fighting for freedom, know that Im always there cheering you on. * Dear IDF Soldier: Thank you so much for working so hard to protect Israel. You are an inspiration! The Jews of the world are lucky to have people like you to fight for us. Thanks, An Admirer. * Dear Solider: Sorry I spelled solider wrong up there. I hope your doing well. I wanted to send you an apple but my counselors wouldnt let me. I wish you good luck and dessert. * Dear Israli Soldier: Thank you for risking your own life to help others. You are a real superhero. All of the cards are being sent through the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) to lone soldiers. This coming week our campers will have a chance to make Shemonsters - small stuffed animals with the words of the Shema inside (think huggable mezuzah) to send to children in Ashkelon. Some of our older campers will also have the opportunity to write condolence cards to the families of Israels fallen heroes, two of whom were friends of one of our Israeli counselors. Through all of this, we pray for true and lasting peace. Shabbat Shalom. Rabbi Miriam Director of Jewish Life
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 14:01:49 +0000
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