By Lisa David
As the sun is setting on our first Shabbat together here in Kunkletown, I want to thank you for sharing your incredible children with all of us! During staff week, we worked hard to share ideas, build skills, provide training, and prepare every part of our facility and our team for their arrival, but the energy, enthusiasm, and wisdom that they bring once they arrive is what makes this work so enjoyable! Already we’ve seen them creating new friendships, trying new foods, pushing themselves through new challenges, and building character through all of these experiences.
As I will do each week, I wanted to share some reflections with our families so that you get a more personal taste of all of the magic happening here at Harlam. I feel privileged, as a professional and as a parent, to be able to witness first-hand how camp can be a safe haven and a respite and can help children to grow – something that is deeply needed in our world today. On Friday night, I spoke about how Harlam can give each of us hope, even during a dark and challenging time in our world. I wanted to share those words with you, below, so that you can see the community we strive to create for your children.
As always, please be in touch with our team should you have any questions about what is happening here at Harlam. I look forward to sharing more about the fun that is sure to come!
Shabbat Remarks | Lisa David | June 24, 2022
Shabbat shalom. Since the close of summer last year, I know that many of us have been counting the months, weeks, and days until we could be together again, dressed in white, on the hill. And for those of you celebrating your very first Shabbat at camp, perhaps you, too, were looking forward to this moment, having seen images of this rocket-ship looking thing and wondering just what happens up on this hill each Shabbat in the summer. It is here in this special place that we welcome Shabbat at the end of each week, set against the backdrop of the stunning view and beautiful ark just over my shoulder.
I’m thrilled to say to all of you once again: Welcome Home.
Tomorrow, as we gather in our Chapel in the Woods and read from the Torah, we will read from the portion of sh’lach l’cha. In this portion, Moses sends twelve spies to the Land of Israel to report on the inhabitants and the country. Despite the positive report of Joshua and Caleb, two of the spies, the people are frightened. They are scared of the unknown, of change, of a new place.
Sadly, there is a lot that we may be fearful of in our world today. There is sickness, loneliness, fear of the unknown, of change, of new places. Just today many of us learned of a heartbreaking decision by the US Supreme Court. Fear is a powerful emotion.
And yet, there is hope. It takes just one small candle to bring light to a dark room. Focusing on hope brings us through whatever wilderness we, like our ancestors, wander through. Looking around at all of you, our campers, and staff, brings me so much hope as you bring your light into this special place, and then out into the world.
I am hopeful when I see the kindness shown to our new campers, who may be fearful as they spend their first nights in Kunkletown, but who are comforted by new friends helping them feel safe. I am hopeful when I see our staff create such meaningful moments for their campers, leading creative evening programs or powerful and empowering evening rituals. I’m hopeful when we all join together in white, arms around one another, singing with joy as we welcome in Shabbat with weeks of community, togetherness, fun, and adventure ahead.
As we look forward at the summer ahead, may it be one that fills you with hope for our world beyond these gates. Let this open and safe community, and the warm welcome we provide to all, inspire you to leave here committed to connection, committed to building community, committed to hope.
Some may say that Camp Harlam is not the real world, that it is an idyllic refuge, respite from our day-to-day lives. If that is true, it is my hope that you will be like the scouts that Moses sent to explore the land of Israel, but that instead of being fearful, you will leave here and bring with you the best version of yourself, which we will nurture and grow together in this special place, so that you reenter the real world, and change it, for good.
Lisa David is Camp Harlam’s Director, a former Harlam camper and staff member, and a proud parent of 3 Harlam campers.