Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

Rabbi Jeff Eisenstat in the Shabbat Havdalah Garden at Camp JRFOur medurah (campfire) embers have just been extinguished but the memories and the friendships for session aleph will continue to burn brightly into the weeks, months and years ahead.

What a thrilling session we have just completed. Imagine 225 campers and staff in a huge spiral around the havdallah candle and our souls woven together with this final Shabbat and the experiences we have all just shared.

Many of our hanihim (campers) will be returning to their homes but they have grown and matured from summer activities, friends and the kehillah (community) of Camp JRF. We have definitely created a safe community here so our campers feel they can try their skill at sports or art or music or drama or swimming or etgar (ropes course) or even a discussion and be respected and honored and even confident at the attempt.

My favorite part of camp is traveling around campus several times a day just to see our happy campers at all their programs. Many of the pictures on Bunk1 were taken as our campers and staff were just being themselves and having lots of fun at any part of the day or night. And did I mention how our campers and staff enjoy the food.

Our Camp JRF staff feels great about how smoothly our program ran this session and how much our campers enjoyed these magical three and a half weeks.

As our camp songs goes. “Have fun Day and Night all our Hanihim are feeling all right. Found a place no worries no stress, here at CAMP JRF.”

Now we look forward to next session.

Rabbi Jeff