As we prepare to rest for Shabbat, I’m reflecting on what a full and meaningful final week this has been for Machzor Aleph (First Session). We time-traveled for Yom Sport, enjoyed overnight campouts and climbing adventures, sent Kochavim and Garinim on their yitziot (field trips), celebrated our 30th summer with a foam party and popsicles, sang together at Zimriyah, and so much more.
Every moment was filled with fun, friendship, growth, and Jewish living.
This Shabbat, we will read a double portion, Chukat-Balak. Why do we read them together? In most years, they are read separately, but some years we combine parshiyot to ensure we complete the entire Torah cycle within the year. Leap years and holidays that fall on Shabbat are among the reasons we sometimes “double up.”
That idea of doubling up feels especially relevant at this point in the summer. As the session draws to a close, we try to make the most of every moment we have together: time with friends, time in nature, time in our chuggim (activities), and time in special programs. Every experience feels a little more precious because we know our time together is limited.
While Camp is filled with extraordinary moments, it is also where we learn some of life’s most enduring, quotidian lessons. This week’s parshiyot have much to teach us with respect to those lessons. In Chukat, Moses famously hits a rock instead of speaking to it as G-d had instructed in order to draw water from it. In that moment, Moses loses both his patience and his faith.
As a parent and Camp Director, I find this notion of maintaining patience and faith particularly inspiring. With all that happens in the outside world, I am so thankful that Ramah Darom exists as a place where we can “double up” on fun and living as proud Jews, while also teaching us important life skills like patience and faith.
Camp teaches us to trust the process, though it may be long. Each summer, our chanichim (campers) grow more independent, build confidence, deepen friendships, and strengthen their Jewish identities. These transformations do not happen all at once. They happen year after year through experiences, relationships, patience, and faith.
As our chanichim return home, I hope they carry with them not only the memories of an incredible summer, but also the lessons they have learned about themselves and the strength they have discovered within. And when the road ahead feels long, and the world feels complicated, may the friendships, confidence, Jewish pride, patience, and faith nurtured at Camp help guide them forward until we gather together again.
Enjoy our Zimriyah playlist and latest Kol B’Ramah Podcast.