In 2012, there were three winners: Haley Peckman, Maxx McClelland, and Max Gillet.  Below are their essays:

Max Gillet

Judaism has been part of my life, well, since my life started. I went
through all the customs and traditions that any young Jewish boy should. I
enjoyed brisket on Rosh HaShanah, listened to (and complained about the length
of) Kol Nidre, and sat through countless hours of Hebrew school. From a young
age, I immersed myself in Jewish studies even outside of temple and earned the
Cub Scout’s Aleph Award by demonstrating knowledge of my religion. I started
religious school at Temple Beth Miriam in first grade and continued through
Teen Academy.  I sat there like a sponge
and soaked up as much about our culture and our history as I could fit. So when
high school came around, it should not be surprising that I continued to be a
part of the Jewish community and remained interested in my culture and
heritage. I joined SALTY right out of middle school, and utilized my talents
with computers and science to design and maintain a website for the youth group
that features pictures of events along with a schedule to keep its members
updated. I also participated in the Madrichim program at the temple and
assisted second graders with their Jewish learning experience. I also worked in
the Office.  Around the time I was active
in the Madrichim program, I got extremely involved in events at my high school.
High Tech High School has a sizable Jewish community, but unfortunately there
were no opportunities to bond about our shared culture and heritage. Having
seen this, and recognizing that everyone loves Jewish food, I worked to found a
Jewish Student Union during my junior year. I recruited dozens of members as
well as advisor, wrote up a detailed club plan, and convinced the school that a
Jewish Student Union was worth having. I have served as president since its
founding.  We have bi-weekly meetings to
discuss topics related to upcoming Jewish holidays and relevant topics, such as
the history of Jews in China and the history and relevance of the Torah in the
modern society. We even have special celebrations for Jewish holidays, such as
apples and honey for Rosh HaShanah and a dreidel tournament and competition
(including latkes) during Hanukkah. I plan to leave the club in the hands of a
couple rising seniors so that the High Tech community can continue to benefit
from this club. This year, I have started a blog about Jewish living called
“You’re Jewish?” and update it about every month based on what I’m experiencing
in terms of Judaism. This blog gives a more personal touch to my efforts in the
Jewish Student Union and helps to further inform the High Tech community about
what Judaism is really about.

As Judaism has been part of my past, so it shall be part of my future.
I plan to attend Northwestern University in the fall, where I am going to be
part of the Integrated Science Program to study the intricacies of biology,
chemistry, and physics. I not only plan to immerse myself in science during my
four years, but also in the Hillel program at Northwestern. During my accepted
students visit, I went to Hillel with my father and met the director. The
building was beautiful, but the atmosphere was so laid back and relaxed that I
can’t imagine not becoming part of that community. Based on what I heard from
the students in Hillel and the director, I will be able to go to Israel on
Birthright, partake in weekly services, and cook meals for the surrounding
Jewish community. I’ll be able to fraternize with Jews of all shapes, sizes,
colors, and movements, and help continue what I did with the Jewish Student
Union. Who knows where else my Jewish involvement will take me?

Haley Peckman

My entire life thus far
has been positively affected by Temple Beth Miriam. Growing up in a very low
population of Jews in Wall, I found it hard to connect to my classmates at the
level my Hebrew School class connected. Once I got to high school, this feeling
grew even stronger as I sought out opportunities to strengthen my connection to
Judaism post Bat- Mitzvah. I joined SALTY and NFTY-GER my freshman year,
initiating many of my best decisions. My freshman year I jumped right onto
SALTY board as the logistics chair, assisting all publicity efforts and making
the youth group more member oriented. I also fell in love with NFTY my freshman
year, attending all regional events. Sophomore year, I increased my leadership
responsibilities as both SALTY’s Social Action Vice President and one of GER’s
merchandise chairs. That summer was the single most impactful summer of my life
as I participated in Urban Mitzvah Corps. For six weeks I lived Jewishly with
30 of my peers who are now some of my best friends. I also volunteered at
a healthy kitchen in New Brunswick (Elijah’s Promise) and at Camp Daisy: a day
camp for children and adults with special needs. Additionally, I went to
Washington D.C. as a part of UMC to lobby for economic food justice which was a
very inspiring and empowering experience. I returned from UMC a stronger
leader, a stronger Jew, and a stronger person in general. That year, I served
on Regional Board as GER’s Secretary. I maintained an ex officio position on
SALTY’s board and go the privilege to attend NFTY Convention in Dallas, Texas.
This year, I am SALTY’s president, one of the regional programming
coordinators, and was one of the chairs of Hagigah Kallah. I have been involved
in the Madrichim for 5 years, teaching grades 1-3 Judaic Studies beside many
wonderful teachers. Being involved in Temple Beth Miriam during high school has
brought me places I would not have imagined and more importantly, has created a
connection I could not find in my hometown, or anywhere else for that matter.
Being part of such an amazing and influential group of teens and adult
leadership has given me roots to grow into a strong Jewish leader and I am so
appreciative of that. Next year, I will be starting my next chapter at Drexel
University. I plan on continuing my Jewish involvement and growth amongst my
peers at the college level. I have already joined Drexel’s Hillel and plan on
doing birthright with Drexel during my college career. I also plan on doing
Alternative Spring Break with the Jewish Funds for Justice which is a similar
premise to Urban Mitzvah Corps. I would like to thank Temple Beth Miriam for
all it has given me in both a literal and spiritual senses and cannot wait to
return proudly to my second home as a college student.

Maxx McClelland

Growing up in a town that has as
small of a Jewish population as Wall does, religion singled me out for many
years. However, I remember loving the fact that I was distinguishable from
everyone else. As a spunky elementary student, I became known for being the one
my class chose to explain the story and customs of Chanukah; I was the one who
brought in a dreidel and gelt and taught everyone how to play.

However, truly finding my Jewish
identity was never black and white. Sure I enjoyed the excitement of my Bar
Mitzvah; sure I found myself continuing my Jewish education through the Rabbi’s
classes and as a madrich. But the catalyst that inspired me to really connect
with my Judaism was a woman by the name of Peri Smillow. At a service in honor
of her, she asked that a few students learn her song “Ashrey.” That moment
merged my love of guitar and my Jewish identity. As much as I felt some meaning
as a classroom madrich, when Will Kashdan and I began running the music program,
I felt a genuine connection being established.

The music became my way showing
young students that there is more to the prayers than just words, more to the
structure. I would get a smile out of these kids; knowing I helped not only
brighten there day but also feel more attached to something that has kept me so
grounded. Stevie Wonder once said, “Music is a world within itself with a
language we all understand.” Sometimes it is difficult to get a child who
doesn’t want to even be at religious school to be enthusiastic, but music often
was the bridge that they could relate to. That is when my job is most
fulfilling.

During my sophomore year I joined
NFTY, the regional network of Jewish teens. This contributed to my decision to
run for Temple Beth Miriam’s own youth group board the following year. I have
served as the Social Action Vice President for the past two years. Part of my
position was organizing the midnight run               ¹,
whereby the youth group took a bus to New York City and handed out over 200
items of clothing, donated shoes, hygienic products, and hot meals. It gave me
a tremendous sense of accomplishment – one that I don’t know I have ever felt
elsewhere – when we gave away our last coats at 2 in the morning and we had
provided coats, shoes, gloves and hot meals to everyone who needed them.

In
my, however overly dramatic yet still accurate, SAVP reelection speech, I expressed
my desire to leave a legacy. By that, I do not want anything attached to my name;
I just want to touch people so that they may pay it forward. In that regard I
will act as a catalyst in the same way Peri Smillow did to me. In some ways I
have directly done this as I have had the pleasure of grooming my replacement. Despite being corrected numerous times
that the next group of kids will be our successors but never our replacements, it is semantics. I
have had the pleasure teaching Joelle Rosen to take over the music program with
the Cantor and will soon meet the next SAVP. Leaving will undoubtedly be sad, but
it is my time and I embrace that. I know I have made an impact on future
members. I also know that I will use what they have taught next year at Cornell
University when I become part of the Hillel program.

As my high school years come to a
close I once again feel like the confident elementary student teaching everyone
about the holiday that makes everyone jealous with its eight days of gifts. I
have expanded the Jewish presence and understanding in my community through
performance. With Will, I have played both traditional music and that of the
modern reform movement. The latter is most significant in revealing Judaism to
a community that does not quite embrace or understand it. Like Stevie Wonder
said, “Music is a world within itself with a language we all understand.”

Shabbat Shalom everyone (PAUSE), and thank you for coming to SALTY’s Creative Service. Tonight is different from all other nights, because this Shabbat we gather not only as a congregation; but also as a regional youth group. Tonight, we kick start NFTY GER Hagigah: a weekend where all participating will be challenged to Turn Up Your Shine! I hope that each of you here tonight, GERite or not, take time this weekend to really focus on being present so that you may transcend what makes you passionate onto the community surrounding you. Of course I hope that each of you carry past experiences and look ahead to the future; but while you are here, put those things aside. Be here.
In this week’s Torah portion, Aaron is given specific instructions on how to succeed in G-d’s eyes. Conversely, no one gives us a plan to follow to a destination of personal achievement and happiness. That is a motivation that must stem from inside the individual. This internal awareness can spark the light of passion that may lead us on a lighted trail to greater fulfillment.
SALTY and GER are both environments that I have had the opportunity to explore my passions and see my inner light join the many flames of my friends and mentors. Quite literally, there is a tradition in NFTY GER that exemplifies this idea. Each year at Spring Kallah (our last event of the NFTY season), candles are passed down from seniors to underclassmen. Each candle has some sort of theme or meaning and has either been passed for many years, or is just beginning with those two people. The senior and the underclassman sit down together and the senior lights the wick. The ceremony ends with both people blowing out the flame. I have always been fascinated with the cyclical nature of the candle giving process. A flame is created and shared, blown out, and yet another person walks away with the candle. At the end of my sophomore year, one of my closest friends took me aside. We took refuge from the rain under a gazebo and she took out a very plain, short yellowing candle. She lit the wick and looked me in the eye as she told me its history. This candle had been circulating in NFTY-GER since before I was born. She explained that the candle was nameless, themeless. And it was her favorite candle. It had been given to her by a graduating Regional Board member who had been her first NFTY friend. He bestowed the nameless candle to her because of his complete belief and pride in her. She told me that it meant the world to her, as tears started streaming down her face. I realized too, how much she meant to me; how much she believed in me; and how all of that was supposed to fit into the small, old, nameless, yellowy candle. I got up from that gazebo a much more confident person. My friend gave me much more than a candle and a couple compliments that day. She encouraged my inner light to get brighter. I think that maybe we are all small and nameless candles at some point in our lives. But the encouragement we can feel from the other flames is what makes each of us individually significant.
“The Duality of Light” was another experience that really stuck with me. By chance, my sister Bryce had come across a link online about an free exhibit at Lincoln Center. It looked interesting, so my mom dropped us off and we walked into Alice Tully Hall. The woman that was running the exhibit asked us to have a seat in the waiting area because, to our surprise, the exhibit was to be experienced one person at a time. As Bryce and I were waiting, an older woman came out of the exhibit and chatted with her friends. She seemed excited, spooked almost. She said that there was another woman inside the exhibit. This only spiked my curiosity, but also made me a little anxious. Bryce and I planned that I would go in first, and tell her if it was worth it (or if it was horrifying). Eventually, it was my turn and I walked over to the woman running the exhibit. A separate hallway had been built in the middle of the hall, and she instructed me to walk into the hallway, turn right, and walk all the way to the end until I reached a strip of light on the floor. It seemed easy enough, but I was concerned as to why I would need such specific directions to walk down a hallway. I began walking down the hallway. She told me I was going to see something that only I could see. It was pitch dark and all I could see was the strip of light she had mentioned. There was a recording playing of shushing and water dripping. I could feel my eyes trying to open wider and wider, and a shift to more cautious walking. When I got to the strip of light at the end of the hallway, I looked up at a screen. A million tiny lights twinkled and then abruptly exploded. A person was walking towards me on the screen, and I soon realized the person was myself. I also realized that the self I saw onscreen was a recording of the past few minutes I had spent walking to the strip of light. Just as suddenly as my image had appeared, I blew up into a million bits of light. I was gone and a blueprint of stars replaced me. I was awestruck. I stood in front of the screen, thinking about how small I am. How short our image is here before we are again replaced by the galaxy. After a couple minutes of taking this in, I walked back out of the dark hallway. The woman asked me what I had seen, and I told her. She said it was very good and that I should not tell anyone. However, I am telling you because 1) the exhibit is over and 2) I think it is too relevant to exclude. The Duality of Light Exhibit was created to challenge our perception of space through light, and it has been an experience that really grounded me and made me think about who I am and what I can do in my life. I hope that each of you are able to vicariously experience the exhibit, since you will probably not be able to actually experience it.
I hope all of you take time this weekend to get inspired, motivated, and passionate. I hope each of you come into the present moment and find yourself a stronger light at the end of Hagigah.

Thank You and Shabbat Shalom.

________________________________

Delivered by Scott Gillet
3/3/2012

Shabbat Shalom! In this week’s Torah portion, Tetzaveh, G-d tells Moses to have the Children of Israel find the purest oil to kindle the everlasting menorah, but in addition to that it describes Aaron’s consecration to become a high priest. The parasha speaks of some of the preparations for Aaron and his four sons: Nadav, Avihu, Elazar, and Itamar to be enthroned into priesthood.
Becoming a priest gives Aaron a “new light” and he is able to “Turn up his Shine”, which happens to be the theme of this weekend. Just like Aaron, SALTY has “turned up its shine” in the past five years.
About five years ago, SALTY was not considered to be an active youth group outside of Temple Beth Miriam. They would run the Purim Carnival and an event here and there, but they were definitely lacking something special. Until four years ago, when both Temple Beth Miriam’s Board of Trustees and the Executive Board decided to hire a new Youth Advisor, named Dee Ross. Dee quickly jump-started the Youth Group in a number of ways bringing SALTY to a whole new level. In 2007, Dee helped send five SALTYites to the URJ Biennial in San Diego, California. The next year, SALTY was ready to take on NFTY-GER, the North American Federation of Temple Youth- Garden Empire Region. As a new youth group, SALTY surprised NFTY-GER by bringing an extraordinary number of participants to Kallot. In the first two years of SALTY’s participation in NFTY-GER, they averaged about five to eight SALTYites per event. In this past year, which was the third year of SALTY’s involvement in NFTY, we were honored to have two SALTYites on the NFTY-GER regional board and we averaged about ten participants per event. Now this year, SALTY once again has two members on regional board, and thus far, SALTY has been averaging about eighteen people per event and we are lucky enough to have twenty-one SALTYites participating in Hagigah this weekend.
During these five years, SALTY has sent nine members to Urban Mitzvah Corps, four to Kutz Camp: NFTY’s Campus for Reform Jewish Teens and eight members to NFTY Convention 2011 in Dallas, Texas.
We are so honored to have seen this progress and we could not have done it alone. There are many people to thank that have helped SALTY “Turn up its Shine”. When I say your name, can you please stand up. First off, I would like to thank the Pess, Berg, and Spector families. These families have always supported the Youth of Beth Miriam in many ways. They have established scholarship funds and then continually replenished them to help all Beth Miriam youth go to URJ Camps, NFTY Events and NFTY Summer Programs. You are also always volunteering to help us. Your generosity has allowed Beth Miriam youth to thrive and grow into successful Jewish young adults.
Next I would like to thank Temple Beth Miriam’s Board of Trustees and Executive Board. Your hard work helped make this event possible and is greatly appreciated. Another large acknowledgement goes to all the Beth Miriam families who opened their homes and hearts to both SALTY and NFTY-GER this weekend.  Finally, I would like to thank our Youth Director Dee Kalman. Dee, without your leadership, enthusiasm and background of participating in NFTY, UMC and Kutz, I do not believe that SALTY would be an active youth group both inside and outside of the temple. You truly are the driving force behind this youth group and have inspired every SALTYite to turn up their shine, just like you always tell us, “Jewish stars make other stars shine brighter”, you make us shine brighter. Which is why, the Hagigah chairs, Haley, Erika, Jenna, and myself are happy present you with this gift in honor of our gratitude.
Now, NFTY-GER, it is your time to shine. Whether you are a new member or old, from a large TYG or even a small TYG, you have the opportunity to turn up your shine and share your light with the world. This weekend, have a nice conversation with someone you have never met before, whether it be GERites, temple congregants or Temple Beth Miriam youth. Show that NFTY-GER can really turn up their shine, and Congregants, you will be so impressed on just how “bright” GERites are.  Shabbat Shalom.

D’var Torah – 13 January 2012

Social Action Service – “Shemot”

The Hebrew word for both the book of Exodus, and tonight’s Torah portion is “Shemot”, which translates to “Names”, which in context refers to the names of the sons of Jacob, it begins in slavery and ends in deliverance for the Jewish people. 

Powerful deeds are delivered every day, by ordinary people like you and me.
The Temple Beth Miriam Community collectively aims to stretch out its arms as far as possible in various ways to help people who are asking in their own way, for their own reasons, and not just on Rosh Hashanah, “I look to the mountains, from where comes my help?”  I am happy to tell you that via Midnight Runs, Blood Drives, Food Collections and many other methods and events; that we have answered many calls when our own community, and the community at-large has needed it.  Most times, we never hear the actual cry for help; we just sense that there is someone out there that we may never meet, that is in need of a square meal, a warm coat or a pint of blood.

Through our vibrant Kishre Halev program, we pass that sensitivity forward to our children that are becoming young adults as B’nai Mitzvah, to leverage our already existing efforts, to let them experience the amazing feeling of performing true mitzvot, and to more fully realize the becoming of a son or daughter of the Commandments.

Getting back to the Torah portion, in the context of tonight’s Social Action service, I would like to dial ahead 180 or so generations from the time of Jacob, to right now, concerning the tribes of Jacob that currently inhabit the earth, specifically in our region of New Jersey.  I would also like to further focus in on just one of the names of this tribe, “yours”.

As we have just recently celebrated another “trip around the sun” on New Year’s eve, when I am sure that we all made some additional resolutions…I am curious to know how many of us  had on our “to-do lists for 2012” to become more “socially active” in our community this year; please, don’t all raise your hands at once.  Don’t worry; it is not too late to figuratively raise your hand, as we still have 353 days left in this solar year.

I am not suggesting to you that I need you all to join the Social Action Committee tonight, although you are most certainly welcome to give me your e-mail address after services tonight, and I will add you to our mailing list, and we’ll hope to see you at a meeting in the near future.

When we hosted our last blood drive here, I learned a very interesting statistic about our blood supply.   I learned that if everyone who regularly donates blood, gave blood just once more per year, there would be no blood shortage.  We don’t need everybody over the age of 16 to give blood 6 times a year, the “promised land” at the blood bank is much nearer than that.  If you gave twice last year, and you give three times this year, that works.  If you give as often as they will let you, and you encourage a friend that has never donated before to come with you one time, that also works. 

Since my Facebook page has a peak level of activity on my birthday, for the past 2 years, I have responded to every virtual well wisher that the best gift they could give me is to donate a pint of blood at their local blood bank.  Last year, 6 people did it, and this year you better believe that I will repeat that gift request.

Here is how, and how not, to get more involved:
Please do not send me an e-mail message that says, “Social Action should do this”.  As Paula is fond of saying, “bring us a solution”; and take part of creating and delivering that solution.  “How?” you ask?

What I am suggesting to you tonight, is to “raise your hand” just once more than you did last year for a start. You can do that by joining us for a Social Action activity that you read about in E-lijah this year, or maybe sign on to be a Kishre Halev mentor for just one B’nai Mitzvah candidate this year.  I invite you to come to just one, or as many monthly Social Action Committee meetings as you can to join us in creating a plan for one of the many issues that is currently on the table, or to share your passion for a cause that means something to you with the group, and to “help us help you” find extra sets of hands to address it together.  By the way, the next meeting is Sunday, February 5^th at 10:30am.

TBM’s Social Action Committee has a new Facebook group page, and we will be posting more news items on the Temple’s main website too.

When we speak of having not just a name for ourselves, but a “Shem Tov”, a good name, there are many ways to satisfy your thirst for repairing the world very close by, and the Committee and I look forward to seeing you and hearing from you soon.

Thank you and Shabbat Shalom.

By Milt Ziment

Social Action Service

January 13, 2012

 I am so proud to be a member of the Social Action Committee of Temple Beth Miriam that it is hard to be brief (as I was requested to be) but I’ll try.

Our committee was responsible for collecting bags of food on the High Holidays and realizing that people get hungry all the time, we installed the first collection unit in the lobby which was built by Aaron Schectman. Having outgrown that small unit, we are grateful for the beautiful and more spacious unit designed, built and installed by Dan Spector.

Members of the group have also participated on Mitzvah Day by collecting donated food outside of supermarkets and sorting and delivering truckloads to the proper centers.

We continue to remember and try to help the hungry people in our community.

Representing our committee and Temple Beth Miriam, I have, for many years, conducted a bi-weekly Shabbat Service at the Atria, an assisted-living complex inTintonFalls, using theTemple’s old thin gray  prayer books.

In cooperation with the Purim Basket Committee we have provided Purim baskets to the Atria’s Jewish residents. 

At Passover, on the day of the Seder, before our own celebrations, with the assistance of the Knotts family Beth, Tim, and their children, we have organized and conducted a traditional Seder including musical accompaniment for the songs.

We have also all been there at Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Chanukah with appropriate worship services, music, games, etc.  On Chanukah, these have included the lighting of the menorah, providing and serving the traditional Latkes, sour cream, applesauce and apple cider, as well as,  accompaniment for singing all the appropriate songs for the Holiday. This year, the Knotts family, with Sierra and Kiralee, and the Topper family with Steven, Michael and Elliot, brought the delighted audience the combination of 2 violins, a guitar, and a saxaphone,  The residents have come to love these 2 lovely families and the sentiment is returned by the families.

I am grateful to be involved and find it very satisfying to be able to make even a small difference in the lives of people less fortunate than I.

 Every member of Temple Beth Miriam could get this same good feeling by supporting  the Social Action Committee with ongoing contributions of non-perishable food, or time, or, even (if I dare say it) money.

TBM Sisterhood Present Women’s REC Weekend
Relaxation - Education - Charity

WHEN IS IT?
January 27—29 2012

Every serious Reform Jew confronts this question quite often.

Rabbi Stanway is delighted to offer the course: Living Ethics – An Investigation of Reform Halacha through Case Studies.  This is a six session course, with each session lasting about an hour to an hour and a half.  It is free for members of Beth Miriam and non-members are asked to make a $36 donation to the temple. These six lessons written take learners through the process of how Reform Jewish halachah evolves. Learners study particular cases of responsa (modern questions to and answers from the CCAR Responsa Committee), addressing issues from nuclear war to abortion to plastic surgery.

This unit will prepare adult learners to continue their study of Reform responsa in an ongoing study groupParticipants should bring a binder for materials and paper for notes and writing utensils

Class Dates are all on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM

UPDATED DATES AS OF JANUARY 20, 2012

December 11

December 18

January 22

February 12

March 11

March 25

Being a 9 year old and standing in front of the camp with the support of a staff or faculty member is scary stuff.  There are 700 people you are speaking in front of and, if you are not used to it, it can be pretty intimidating.  Still, every member of Carmel that had a reading part (most of the them) got up there and with big voices led the congregation.  There was even a remarkable 9 year old who led the chanting of Amidah and the Vahavta!  (Where did SHE come from?!)  It was quite amazing.

But in the question lies one of the real benefits of the Jewish camping experience.

Reform Judaism is not about the ‘Sage on the Stage’ giving divine pronouncements of what is right and wrong, how to pray or what even constitutes prayer.  Prayer and spirituality come in many forms.  When a young child speaks about their bunk, they are speaking about the importance of community.  When they share the scary stuff about growing up, they are telling us that there is a community of trust.  And when they sing with their beautiful little voices, they are telling us that, for them, Judaism is joyful.  This is a far cry from so many Jews whose experiences with Jewish education were either meaningless or, worse, frightening.

The simple truth is that Camp is life-changing.  I have seen it hundreds of times.  When a child seeks to learn more because s/he remembered a lesson someone taught or when they are given the chance to think for themselves, they flower.  I had this experience the other day when my partner and I were teaching the oldest campers, Chavurah.

In the lesson we wanted to ‘build Jewish law.’  (Yes, we walked in with our construction helmets from the TBM renovation!)  Using biblical and rabbinic texts, they started to journey to an understanding of the meaning of kashruth, the laws of kosher food.  They moved to find meaning in a new definition of kashruth that made real sense to them.  I don’t think any of them will look at a hamburger the same way.  One particular student positively glowed when she made a connection to the text and to her own observances (and new observances) of kashruth.  You should have seen her face.  It is for the moments like that that a teacher teaches.

Anyway, it is about time for breakfast so I better be on my way.  Another truth of camp is that, since there is so much walking around, if you don’t eat, you don’t walk!  I will blog later.

First, a word of thank you to the congregation. I could not be up here serving as your rabbi – even though I am not physically in NJ – if you did not see the value of the Jewish camping experience. Your support of our youth and the many facets of Jewish education, including camping, is manifest on the playing field, in the dining hall, and in our study sessions. Your moral and financial support of our camping and youth programs (through the Berg Fund, Spector Fund and Pess Fund) translates those dollars into children burning with Jewish pride and knowledge.

I have seen all of our camp children but, I have to tell you honestly, they are always running and moving that it is hard (even for me!) to keep up. They are all healthy and their smiles go on forever. They have all integrated well into their bunks and they are part of the unit in every way. In other words, they are having the times of their lives.

As for me, I am doing formal teaching and informal teaching. Formal teaching includes prepared shiurim for my unit or an organized activity where I (or my faculty partner) is leading it. For example, this week my partner and I prepared a 2 part session about how a Reform Jew can use Jewish law to make decisions based on a new and relevant understand of an ancient text. And informal teaching can happen anywhere and anytime. Let me tell you what happened yesterday.

I am in the unit of 12 year olds and yesterday some kids on that unit were climbing the tower. This is a terrific activity and one, by the way, that I will never do since I am not really a big fan of heights. Anyway I wanted to be with the kids and there was a young girl sitting there writing in her journal. I asked her if everything was okay and she said ‘yes’ and I asked if I could sit down. I did and then found out that she is writing a short story for part of the unit worship service tonight. She said she was stuck about one particular part and she and I talked about it. (FYI, it was about the idea of the Shma and how we need to listen carefully.) Our talk evolved into discussion about prayer, God, community and sharing. And somewhere in all that, the magic of camp happened: Another camper saw us talking and joined us (he had already conquered the tower!) and he joined the discussion. A few minutes later, another one and another one and another one until I looked up and there were 10 engaged children talking and being listened to, struggling with issues of prayer and community. It was a beautiful hour which was completely unplanned and which, I am told, profoundly affected the campers’ insight into worship and faith. It was, for me, one of those moments for which I live as a teacher when I know that I have touched lives in a meaningful Jewish way.

What about the food? The food this year is the best camp food I have ever had. Who ever heard of good food at camp? Until recently, probably no one. But this year it is terrific! Just in case you were wondering whether or not I am getting enough to eat and not withering away! I hope to offer another blog entry from Harlam in a couple of days. Until then, shalom!

This summer, we have four teens participating in Urban Mitzvah Corps, a 6-week summer volunteer program run through the URJ.  Every night, a participant posts a blog entry and click HERE to check out an entry from a current SALTY leader, Jenna Wyatt.