Reflections from my week on Maple Lake

By Lisa Isen Baumal, Principal of Youth Education and Family Engagement

I have just returned from my week as one of the faculty members up at URJ Camp George.  I have been privileged to have this opportunity for over a decade, and it never disappoints. I love watching campers grow from year to year, both physically as they get taller than me, and emotionally, as the conversations we have change and evolve, and as their roles at camp advance.  It is especially rewarding to see our own Holy Blossomites move through the various units as campers, transition into CITs and then become staff. We have several first-year staff this year, who are all shining in their various positions on camp, as cabin counsellors and specialists. 

There are so many things that make camp special each year. This year it is the extra-large mishlachat (Israeli emissary staff) from Israel. Camp George has 25 Israelis on staff this summer, acting in various roles all around camp. Their presence on staff is extra meaningful this summer, and they are bringing important Israel touchpoints to all areas of camp. During the week I was there, the mishlachat met with our faculty group to discuss how they could enhance shabbat at camp by adding Israel connections throughout the day. One of the many things that came out of that discussion was lighting candles for Israel Friday night, during the SuperSpesh Song Sesh. That morning I worked with a group of the oldest campers, and we created a huge Magen David shape with a heart in the middle out of tealights. Towards the end of the song session, camp’s tradition is that the Israelis gather in the middle of a huge circle of all the campers and staff and sing Hatikavah. Before singing we brought out the candles and two of the mishlachat members explained the custom of lighting candles for Israel. One Israeli staff shared a story of one her friends who fell in Gaza, then they led us in the prayers for the hostages, the prayer for Israel and the prayer for soldiers. Before we sang Hatikvah, one staff member and camper from each bunk came into the centre to light all the candles. As we sang Hatikvah, there was not a dry eye in the pavilion.  It was a beautiful moment, and an important way for camp to show a message of love and support for Israel, and our Israeli family. 

The loudest Am Yisrael Chai that I ever heard followed HaTikvah.