By, Lisa David

Shabbat Shalom. Now that we’ve all caught our breath after the trek up the hill, let’s take a minute to really appreciate this amazing place.  I just need to look around and soak this in. Feel free to do the same. Take a look around you, see the faces and the beauty that surrounds you.

It’s the first Shabbat of second session. The first time our community has gathered, in white, to pause, reflect a bit, and bask in the community and setting we are so blessed to be a part of. We’ve all waited a long, long time to get to this very point. Like you, I am so thankful for this space, this community, and this special time we call Shabbat.

Tomorrow, we will read the Torah Portion of Va-et-chanan. In the portion, Moses pleads with G-d, after the 40 year journey across the desert, to let him into the Promised Land, the land of Israel. Moses is heartbroken that this land he has longed for, looked forward to entering, and that has been his shining light, would be denied to him.

Sound familiar? This last year was so hard for so many of us – we were disconnected, lonely, and experienced such loss. There was letdown and sadness. I get it. I felt it just like you did. In the Spring of 2020 when we had to make the difficult decision to cancel our summer in Kunkletown, it was devastating for all of us, as this is the place we dream of, hope for, and anticipate; we wait all year to sit together at the Chapel on the Hill.

In the portion, once Moses has come to terms with the news that he will not get to enter Israel, he takes the opportunity to speak to the Jewish people who will reach this sacred destination without him. He tells them that they now have an opportunity to realize their dreams and enter the land of Israel, and live the Jewish life that until then was only an idea. He emphasizes how they must do everything possible not to take for granted this special place and special chance.

I’m no Moses. And you’re not the Israelites, and it hasn’t been 40 years of wandering, thankfully, but we can relate to all of it. Having returned, finally, here, let’s promise now to not let this opportunity pass us by.

The summer of 2021 presents us with an opportunity. A clean slate. Perhaps some of us have an increased awareness or appreciation of what lies ahead because we missed it so deeply last summer. But whether it’s your first or fifth or tenth summer here, I hope each of you can live each day here with purpose, as we build a sacred community in our summer home. Be yourself. Try new things. Embrace the full breadth of Harlam. Paint. Climb. Hike. Swim. Learn. Let’s all do that. Let’s do all of it.

Harlam is a different place. No stress. No screens. No social pressures. And open place. A safe place. It’s not a perfect place; there are certainly imperfections and challenges here – but perhaps with the right mindset we can value those, too, because they help us to grow and learn. Maybe we can even be part of making camp a better place, a more perfect place for future generations.

Like Moses looking out on what can be, let’s look out on the session that awaits us. Let’s realize how fortunate we are; and how much it means to be back. Together, let’s make this session one of beauty, of fun, and of great meaning.

Lisa David is serving in her fifth summer as Camp Harlam’s Director after 18 years as a professional in the field of Jewish Camping. She is a former Harlam camper and staff member, and a proud parent of 3 Harlam campers