When it rains...

I just started my week-long tenure on the faculty at Camp Harlam and it's not just raining, it's pouring. But, the rewards of camp transcend the worst weather. I saw Rachel, our only MRT camper this session, and she reminded me why we must double our efforts to get more kids to camp. At 13 years old, Rachel is at the point when most people leave organized Jewish life for a few decades (current research says she is likely to disappear from synagogue life for almost 30 years until she has her own children and they reach third grade). Rachel just had her bat mitzvah at the end of the school year. Lots of her friends from last summer at camp came to celebrate. Her grandparents were especially impressed by the combination of MRTSY leading services on Friday night and the camp's lasting influence on Rachel. Although she had not been signed up to return, the family decided they would do whatever it took to get Rachel back to camp. After a few phone calls to camp director Frank DeWoskin, a little scholarship help from the temple and some quick packing, Rachel was off to camp. She'll be back in religious school this fall and she'll likely stay connected to Jewish activities throughout her young adult years. I can't say that it's all camp, but her experience here at Harlam certainly helped seal her commitment to Jewish life. In a world that rains more than enough tzuris on our heads, camp is a bright spot. Even when it's pouring.

Other highlights from the first 24 hours include: a few good selichot program ideas for this year (one involving the movie Waltz with Bashir might even take off at MRT), some high holy day sermon preparations, reconnecting with Israeli staffers who returned from last year's mishlachat is the best sign I know of the global connection Jews have to each other, and the stability - growth even - of camp's enrollment numbers augurs well for all of us. More tomorrow. Shavua Tov!