By: Rabbi Feinstein
There’s something special about spending time away from home amidst pine trees, fresh air, blue sky, cold mornings, and singing Jewish songs. And for 27 summers I’ve had that unique combination surrounded by a gazillion kids at our Reform Jewish camps.
Sunrise? Is there a better time to teach about how the world works, and about the prayer calling on our Creator, the Maker of light? Sunset? What a moment to explain our ancestors’ view of God, who makes evening fall! Stars filling the skies, while deep darkness surrounds us? Such a breathtaking time to make Havdalah! It does the soul good to discuss tough questions with a camper while sitting on a log as birds chirp nearby.
I have always said that the skills learned at camp – sharing, taking one’s turn, understanding fairness, being safe, being a buddy, making a new friend, reconnecting with a pal – these are lifetime learning opportunities. And what parent would underestimate the value of learning how to clean up a bunk, have KP (kitchen patrol), or remember that when the hand goes up, the mouth goes sh-sh-sh? And it’s a time for kids to disconnect, by interacting with peers without benefit of cellphones, iPods, computers, and the like.There’s one more important factor in a special setting like Camp Newman, in Santa Rosa, where I am serving on faculty as you receive this Torch: all the kids are Jewish. For some campers, they enter this world like fish finally finding the water; for others, it’s being surrounded by love and friendship different from any other place. Studies teach us that Jewish camp attendance increases the likelihood of adult participation and identification as 55% are more likely to be very emotionally attached to Israel; 45% more likely to attend synagogue; 37% more likely to light Shabbat candles; and 30% are more likely to donate to a Jewish charity.My son Ari, who has just begun studying for his Master’s in Jewish Education at Hebrew Union College, said it best:
“I grew up at camp, and spent the rest of my year going to school, waiting for next summer, to return to camp.”
There’s something special about spending time away from home amidst pine trees, fresh air, blue sky, cold mornings, and singing Jewish songs. And for 27 summers I’ve had that unique combination surrounded by a gazillion kids at our Reform Jewish camps.
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