Our K’Far Noar (rising 9th graders) campers led services beautifully on Saturday morning. Their theme was acceptance and inclusivity. Below are the readings they wrote and shared with our camp community. 

By Dimore and Ellie
K’far decided that the theme of this service should be acceptance and inclusivity. At camp we make sure everyone is included and feels welcomed. No matter if it is your first year as a camper or your last year as a staff member, we make sure everyone feels as if this is their home. Acceptance and inclusivity is very important in K’far. As someone who came from an 8 person bunk in Galil, and now live with over 30 people, it is necessary for everyone to feel valued. But that does not only apply to K’far; it applies to every unit at camp. The acceptance of each individual soul is what makes Camp Harlam such a unique and special place for all of us. 

By Kara, Erica, and Mya 

We stand together but sometimes we are leaders, and sometimes we have different roles. 

Most importantly, every voice is heard. In the Camp Harlam community, we include and accept every voice, even if that voice is different than our own. We all come from different backgrounds but at camp we are all one. All of our differences are what make this community so special. 

By Ben and Sam 

As you may know, God has created some wonderful things on this Earth.  And if you forgot, we’ll give you a refresher on what God has created. People who turned into friends, who turned into family. God created this beautiful place we are in right now. With things like Rak Dan, Maccabiah and Shabbat bagels. This includes our perfect counselors and yellow meal. And all these things are included in our Camp Harlam. 

By Sophie, Alyssa, and Grace 

Transferring from junior to senior camp has been a big change for us.  In K’far, we’re given more freedom, which results in more responsibility. Now that we are in senior camp, part of our responsibility is to include everyone, knowing that the girls bunks have combined into one. Freedom is earned through showing maturity, listening to our counselors, and welcoming others.

By Mel, Gavi and Sydney 

K’far’s theme for this Shabbat is inclusion and acceptance. When coming into this unit and living in one big bunk, I really didn’t know what to expect. In reality, living all together has been one of the best things that we have experienced so far. Since we all came together, we feel more connected. Shabbat brings us all together and gives us a sense of acceptance, and love for one another. Here at camp it doesn’t matter who you are, everybody is welcome. 

By Sami, Jessie and Becca 

One of the things that make Camp Harlam so special is the people. From the moment you drive through the gates, there are people lining the roads yelling “Welcome Home!” Harlam truly is home because of the people and welcoming environment. It is not the place that makes camp special, it is the people who you make memories with, whether they were made within the last minutes, days, weeks, or years. Take a moment to think about the people who have impacted your experience at camp, and made you the camper, counselor, or staff member you are today. 

By Alyssa, Grace, Sophie, Talia, Anna and Sarah  

Welcome home. If this is your first year at camp, you’re probably wondering why you are constantly hearing “Welcome Home.”  Well it’s because this is our home. Camp serves as a place where big problems seem small, sadness turns into happiness, and friends become family. At camp, we are all here for each other despite our differences. If you’re ever going through something, you can rely on your friends to help you. Here at camp we have a great community which makes it home. 

By Anna, Talia and Sarah
At Camp Harlam, you and your friends become family. During the year we are scattered 

all over. But when you enter the gates of camp, it is like you never left. Even though most of us are here for ​25​ days, we encourage everyone to soak up every moment, because before you know it we will be at home waiting for the next summers. Be in the moment. These are the best summers of your life. You might have noticed that we use a different version of the Aleinu. This is because no matter who we are and what we look like, we all are able to be accepted because Camp Harlam is our home. At camp we are surrounded by people we love. And we are also surrounded by the love of people who were part of our families and our camp community who are no longer with us, but are still very much a part of our home.