By Jackie Yoselevich 

Acharayut means thinking about others. For a 12-year-old that means waiting to go to the salad bar, helping your bunkmates during nikayon (cabin clean-up), and cheering up your friends if they are homesick. This past Saturday, Arava talked all about their connection to acharayut during Shabbat services. For some it meant stories about how they think about others, and for others it meant stories about how grateful they are that their counselors use acharayut when caring for them. It can be easy to forget to think about others, but Arava has shown us that we can use acharayut for the little things at camp. Whether it be cheering on nervous Torah readers or letting each other borrow crazy clothing for Rak Dan.

Arava in itself is always full of surprises. Having loud dance parties in the bunk, playing thirty games of gaga, or partaking in intense games of Prez, is just some of the fun we have every day. This summer would not have been the same without the little memories and joys we create.  Arava will only ever been one small part of the time people spend at camp, but the campers never give up on helping others to make this summer the best one yet.

Jackie Yoselevich is the Assistant Unit Head for Arava this session. It is her 8th summer at camp. She is a majoring in Legal Studies at Ithaca College.