Drishat Shalom from Machaneh (Camp) Ramah Darom!
One of the most remarkable things about this first full week of Camp has been watching our chanichim (campers) try new things. When I ask campers about their favorite experiences so far, the answers are as varied as they are exciting. Some have raced down our new water slides, our Gesher campers spent two nights camping under the stars, climbed trees, and ziplined through the forest. Others wrote songs with our Israeli guest musicians, Daniel ve Jacobi, or sampled butter and jam they made with our guest teva (nature) educator. And that is only the beginning!
The beauty of summer camp is that it helps build confidence and resilience. When children find the ometz lev (courage) to try something new, they develop the bitachon (confidence) to take on challenges not only at Camp, but throughout the year at home and beyond.
This week’s parsha, Shelach Lecha, speaks directly to this lesson. Spies are sent to scout the land of Canaan before the Israelites enter. They return reporting that the land is fertile and promising. However:
אֶ֚פֶס כִּי־עַ֣ז הָעָ֔ם הַיֹּשֵׁ֖ב בָּאָ֑רֶץ וְהֶֽעָרִ֗ים בְּצֻר֤וֹת גְּדֹלֹת֙ מְאֹ֔ד וְגַם־יְלִדֵ֥י הָֽעֲנָ֖ק רָאִ֥ינוּ שָֽׁם
“The people who inhabit the country are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large; we also saw the children of giants there.” (Numbers 13:28)
Naturally, this report frightened the Israelites. They cried out in fear and wished they could return to Egypt rather than face the unknown. Something new that held tremendous promise was made to seem overwhelming and impossible to overcome.
But Caleb and Joshua saw things differently. They had confidence in themselves and in what was possible. They believed that with courage, they could move forward and succeed.
At Ramah Darom (and at home), may we help one another feel strong and capable. May we support one another in finding courage when we feel small and confidence when we face something new. Together, we can embrace opportunities for growth, discovery, and joy.
Enjoy our Kayitz 2026 Machzor Aleph Week 2 Video: Great Taste