Acting with Your Heart

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Our youngest campers lead a heartfelt services Friday night. Their theme was “acting with your heart.” Below are the words they shared.

By Ethan and Noah: Noah: This week we focused on Rachamim and acting with your heart. Noah once helped me when I was struggling with my goalie helmet. And, at the next class, he helped me when I was struggling with the hockey puck. In hockey, that is how we showed Rachamim.

By Sammy and Noah: My friend is Noah and he helped me when I smashed my face on the gaga door. Noah tried to cheer me up when I went to the mirpa’ah. After going to the mirpa’ah, I went to the Teva Camp. They were not there so we went to the chapel. Noah is a great friend and he is fun to play cards with, and makes mad libs funny. That’s Rachamim. The time my friend Sammy hurt his face, I tried cheering him up after he went to the mirpa’ah. I went on a nature hike wondering if he was okay. He is a good friend and fun to play with. He is fun to play cards with and he’s really funny. That is why Sammy is my friend.

By Harley, Eliza and Lilly:
When I met Eliza and Lilly, I knew it would be a great friendship. They are always here for me and always care. One day, I was feeling really homesick and they immediately came over and said ‘are you okay?’, and made me feel better. They acted with their hearts and made me feel good. A time when Lilly acted with her heart was when I was going on the swing and I was scared to go all the way up, but Lilly helped me by cheering me on and helping me. Lilly is so awesome. A time that Harley acted with her heart was when I was climbing the tower and I was stuck. She told me step by step how to get up and work it out. I was at the top, she cheered and so did Lilly. They are true friends. Whenever I am sad, Harley and Eliza always make me feel better. They have helped me every time I struggle. They are always there. That’s what makes them kind.

By Sydney, Hannah and Flora:
When I did the tower, all my BFFs cheered me on, and when I got down, they said I did good and I wanted them to feel the same way. When I did the Zipline, I was scared, but my friends cheered my name and they acted with their hearts and made me feel good. I climbed to the top and when I was done, my friends were trying to hug me, but I just ran! When you see someone who needs a smile or someone who is homesick, you should talk to them and see if they are okay, and comfort them if they are crying or just not having a good day. Giving them some love can be very kind. That is acting with your heart.

By Asher, Ariella and Natalia:
As friends, we try to act with our hearts. Ariella is very kind, because she is a great friend and sister, and because she helps people by being there when they need her, and also she acts with her heart by comforting people when they need her. Asher is caring because he helps people. He is nice and a good friend. He is very generous and is my best friend. Natalia is very kind because she makes me smile. She is my best friend and lets me borrow lots of stuff, and is the nicest friend I have.

By Rebecca, Ellie and Miri:
It is my first summer at camp, and the moment I walked through the door and saw all of the smiling faces, I knew I would have a great time! I knew I made the right choice coming to Harlam. All my friends care for me and I care for them. The description is right: friends become family! I was nervous for camp, but when I came into the cabin I felt included and I still do! One day, I was feeling homesick, and all of my friends tried to help me feel better, but what really made me feel better was how much they cared. First I did not know what to say, then I realized that the theme is acting with your heart. My friends are always there for me even if I am not crying, and I feel like I could cry enough to fill a river. My friends are always there.

By Elliot, Levi and Jacob:
The Torah portion of the week talks about Rachamim, or acting with your heart, which means to me helping someone out when they need someone to help them. This is one of two examples of acting with your heart. Once I saw a homeless person when I was going to lunch. When I was eating, I saw the homeless person out the window. I was not that hungry, but he probably was, so I gave him my cookie and my fries instead of eating them. I did this because he needed food more than I did. Once I helped my friend clean up their Uno cards, when someone kicked the cards and made a big mess. I did it because if I didn’t, my friend would have been sad. If someone helped me if my cards were on the floor, I would be happy. Those are some examples of Rachamim, and how even the smallest acts can make a huge impact. Please pray silently.