When it gets dark early, I like to daydream about summer (even more than usual).
I like to picture myself right in the middle of camp life; at the beach, at meals, on the fields and yes, around the Toren. During these uniquely challenging times (especially), many feelings of gratitude keep
coming into my mind and heart. Of course, gratitude for health, family, friends, happiness, and the like, but lately it’s been focused on gratitude for CYJ. Camp is my home away from my other home. Recently Robin, Jeffrey, Kevin and I were able to spend some time up at camp. Even covered in snow and ice, the sights, smells, and landscape brought a huge smile to my face. But it was definitely missing something.
It made me long to see it in full bloom. In full summer mode. With the laughter of chanichim (campers) and Tzevet (staff). To see fresh faces each morning and tired, contented smiles each night. I hope many
of you reading this now will have those smiles this summer.
I have deep roots with CYJ Midwest, having spent 12 summers at CYJ as a chanicha and on tzevet. I have over two decades of experience working in the Jewish community, including National Senior Advisor for Young Judaea, Director of the Summer Delegation for the Israel Scouts and Associate Director of Tamarack Camps. While I live in Michigan during the year, I can’t wait to move up to camp for the summer. I’d love to hear from you, send me an email with any thoughts or just to say hello at rachel@cyjmid.org