By Rabbi Amy Schwartzman (By RJ Blog)
We are just a mile from Camp Harlam, and my daughters are singing along with the camp CD at the top of their lungs. I am trying to hide the fact that I am crying. I too love those songs, but I am overwhelmed with a feeling of joy – my own children have fallen in love with the place where I fell in love with Judaism.
When we pull the overstuffed van into Girls Camp, a flood of memories come back to me. “I was in that bunk in 1973 and that one in 1981 and we had the best…” They cut me off: “Mom, you tell us these stories every year!” They can’t wait to get to their own bunks, hug their friends, and start another summer filled with soccer and singing, campfires and canoeing, tefillah and tie-dye.
Of course, there are tears (mine) when we say goodbye, even though I will see Hannah and Ellie in a few weeks when I return to work on the faculty. Before I start my long drive back to Virginia, I take a slow lap around camp. I look like any other parent exploring these picturesque grounds, when in truth, I am reliving some of the most important moments in my Jewish development. I am reconnecting with the places where my identity as a Jew was crystalized.
My first stop is the chapel in the woods. Despite the noise of campers and parents in the bunks nearby, it is peaceful in the shady expanse of benches and trees. A huge rock that seems to have been in this place since the beginning of time serves as the ahmood or lectern. On Shabbat, the Torah rests in a tree, nestled between three thick branches. This is where I first participated in a Shabbat service when I was 9 and in the youngest unit, Emet; I read a poem I wrote about peace. I don’t recall the words, but I clearly remember feeling so proud of myself – pride that became connected to being Jewish.
I walk past Omanut, the art center, and peek in. When I was a counselor, this building was open to staff a few nights a week, and some of the Israeli staff and I were frequent visitors. Those evenings were filled with discussions and debates. I saw a different Israel than the one I had visited. Making mugs and copper enamel on those summer nights, my understanding of Israel grew – and so did my bonds and my questions and my commitment.
My next stop is the infirmary. My old friend, with whom I shared many camper years, is now the camp nurse. We have our yearly reunion, talk about the old days, laugh about the silly things we did, and cry over our camp friends taken too early from life. This is one of many lasting friendships born in the bunk and by the lake and on the trails of camp. I met my dearest friend in Girls 8 when we were 13. My daughter is 13 this summer; perhaps this will be the summer that she finds her lifelong friend.
Finally, I take a few minutes to sit on the benches under the pine trees. I have had so many significant conversations here: I was a child making friends here; I was a teenager sharing secrets and hopes and fears; I was counselor consoling a homesick camper under these trees. My decision to become a rabbi grew out of long talks with the patient rabbis who came to work for a few weeks in camp as I do now. Last summer, I spoke to a young woman about becoming a cantor on these benches. In a few weeks, the many members of my congregation who are attending camp this summer will meet me at the pine trees for a group photo. In the words of Harry Chapin, whose songs we still sing around the campfire, “All my life’s a circle.” It certainly it feels that way at camp.
At the end of the session, my family will leave Harlam until next summer. My children will cry as they say goodbye to their bunkmates. I will likely be crying, too –tears of joy as I watch them fall in love with the place where I fell in love with Judaism.
Rabbi Amy Schwartzman, the Senior Rabbi of Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, Virginia, is spending her 29th summer at Camp Harlam serving on the faculty for two weeks this month.
All I can say is WOW! Great article! Even though I didn’t grow up spending summers at Harlam, I live vicariously through my daughter’s memories, (now in her 4th summer in Girls Camp and staying both sessions), and know that Harlam is “home” for all the kids during each summer! Lifelong friendships ate already developing and it warms my heart to know that Judiasim is instilled upon her each day she there. Best choice we’ve made for her!!!
As the grandparents of the above mentioned child, we have witnessed, first hand, just how much our granddaughter adores Camp Harlam. She begins her countdown to the next summer as soon as she returns from camp! She refers to Camp Harlam as her home for the summer, not just a camp. He maintains friendship with campers throughout the year, even flying out-of-state to share Passover holiday with a favorite friend from camp. Our daughters never had the good fortune to attend overnight camp but we are absolutely delighted and proud that our daughter was able to and chose a Jewish camp for our granddaughter.
I got chills reading this, thrilled for my 3 kids who are making those memories as I type this and sad and regretful that I missed out on this amazing experience.
Moved to tears to read about the special place I have just sent my 13 year old daughter for the first time- written from a Mom I admire.
Great piece! I felt my eyes get a little moist… L’dor v’dor, Rabbi Amy. Yasher Koach, and today rabbah for your service on the faculty and to Camp Harlam. PS Which one is you in the bunk picture?
I am third from the right in the front row!
Thousands of boys and girls have sat in that Chapel and have taken away from there some of the lessons and experiences that Amy describes. But few could articulate the impact in the way that Amy can; Amy Schwartzman might be the true “poster child” of Camp Harlam. Thank you, Amy, for the powerful words and for continuing to make this your summer home.
Beautifully written, Amy! Yasher koach. I did not have the good fortune to attend Camp Harlam but am grateful that my children do. And I recognized you in the photo instantly – just as I remember you from Penn Wynne.
So beautiful….made me teary. I value every minute of every summer our children spend at camp and I know their time here helps build the foundation of who they are. A Rabbi once told us, when our children were babies, “If you do nothing else Jewish for your children the entire year but send them to Jewish sleep away camp, you have done so much”. I understand what he meant now, more then ever. Our children are 13 & 17 and have been at Camp Harlam for 5 & 6 years now. I know they couldn’t imagine a summer without Camp Harlam, their home away from home. Thank you for sharing your beautiful experience.
Came upon this by accident a day after a wedding shower for a Harlam bride (31) marrying a Harlam groom (30) in September! While I attended only briefly many decades ago, all three of my children went for years, my niece is on the Israel trip now and my nephew is about to embark on second session. It is a family tradition, a Jewish tradition and an emotional tie for us all. There is nothing that contributed more to my kids’ sense of Jewish identity than their summers’ experience and lifelong friendships made at Harlam. Well said, Rabbi Amy!
Thank you, Amy for taking me with you on your present and past journey around Harlam. I was with you every step of the way, only now my daughter is at Harlam’s sister camp, OSRUI, where I’ve now served on faculty more summers than the 11 I spent in Kunkletown.
Loved this post, Amy! What’s so amazing about Harlam is that each generation thinks that theirs is the “golden age” – - and each generation is absolutely 100% right!
I loved our 11 golden years together at Harlam. Without a doubt, THE formative experience of my life Jewishly, creatively, socially and as an independent thinker. My eldest daughter, Emily will come home in less than a week from her first summer at Harlam – - Carmel Girls 2! I hope it will become her home away from home as it has for so many alums.
How heartwarming to read about your present life and family, Amy! Although we first met when you were at the RAC in Washington in college, it feels like I knew you even back when you were in camp! With a few prayers and a lot of faith I accompanied my sister-in-law as she brought my niece and nephew to Camp Harlam this summer for the first time! Theirs has not been an easy childhood, so we were sure that Harlam would help begin to make up for that, as only a URJ camp can! Thank you for putting into such loving, personal words for others to share! Love you, Rabbi.
It’s so great to hear from so many old friends from camp and beyond!!! What a great way to reconnect. Hoping that all of our kids have wonderful summers at Harlam – see you in the pick up line on Sunday!!
My summers were spent at another Jewish camp, Camp Galil, but I share the feelings expressed by my old friend, Rabbi Amy. As I say all the time, Jewish camping is the best investment Jewish parents can make in their children’s future. My oldest son is a counselor at URJ’s Six Points Sports Academy, my middle son is on his NFTY in Israel summer with his Harlam friends and my youngest is at Harlam for both sessions. Even as adults, we can continue to connect to our Judaism through URJ — my husband and I returned this morning from the NFTY Parents’ Pilgrimage to Israel. It was an amazing trip, which I highly recommend.