This week, the unit of Galil led Saturday morning Shabbat services. Below are a few writings that Galil campers wrote on the service’s theme, promises. 

By Mimi
I’ve always been someone who really, really values promises. I’ve also always been a little bit scared of growing up, because the older I get I’m forced to realize that not all promises can be kept, and the reason for that isn’t necessarily black and white.

Over COVID, not being able to go to camp hurt me a lot more than I thought it would. At the time, I didn’t know why. Everybody else was going through this too. So why did I feel this?  Looking back, I know why. Camp isn’t just a place, it is a palace with meaning.  It is full of special energy that you can not find anywhere else, and it is the promise that you always have a home. 

I felt this promise being ripped away from me, and it was scary. Not only that, but I knew that it wasn’t anyone’s fault.  There was no one to blame, and there was nothing I could do to fix it.  

Growing up isn’t just changing physically.  It is changing mentally, and being able to recognize that sometimes promises can’t be kept.  That doesn’t make anyone “bad” and there is no villain in the situation. 

Now that I’m back at camp, back home I can see that part of growing up is understanding that not every promise can be kept, but that doesn’t mean that the feelings behind the promise are no longer there. I challenge all of you to think about the promises that were broken during COVID, to realize it is no one’s fault, and to do what you can to feel complete again. 

By Noa & Lucy
Have you ever broken a promise? Do you regret making the promise, or maybe you regret breaking it?

Promises build the foundation of a relationship.

When we learned about the Torah portion we thought about not only keeping promises, but not making the ones you can’t keep. Our relationship with God is a commitment made with promises, it is an example for other relationships. Every day at camp we make promises, but we also break them. 

Today on Shabbat we think about if we truly did the right thing this past week? Shabbat gives us time to think about our actions and repair our relationships. Shabbat gives us time to enjoy the relationships formed from this community. 

By Samantha
When you keep a promise, you create peace and strength between two people. During COVID my younger brother and I created a divide in our house.  We spent time apart and only saw each other during dinner. Leading up to camp we promised each other to make an effort at camp to see each other and stay in touch.

We have kept this promise and it has made us feel more connected.  We talk every time we see each other, and make the most of it, even if it doesn’t happen all the time.  Keeping promises helps make peace in our community.  

As we pray silently, think about how you can keep a commitment, or make a new one that will bring about peace.  Think about how you can make the most of camp by ending a division. Think about what you can do to make peace.