Connections

As I sat with a group of campers at shira last night, an image of another rabbi flashed quickly through my mind. Clean-shaven, youthful, and energetic. The campers flocked around him, listening. Learning. Enjoying being in the presence of a rabbi who was simultaneously wise and approachable.

I see my dad every day and I see the same rabbi today that he was then — with just one exception. His hair is completely white now, though for some reason I still see it as dark brown with some white streaks. He is still wise and he is still approachable. But he is not the camp rabbi this summer. I am.

I think I learned how to be a camp rabbi by watching him. Though we never talked about it, I think that he saw the role of the camp rabbi as the opportunity for the kids to get to know a rabbi in a casual, relaxed setting. That meant being with them as much as possible. Hanging out with them at shira. Or eating at their table. Or just being present.

Not every rabbi approaches camp this way. Many colleagues take this time to connect with one another. Some use time to write sermons. And, of course, we all spend time with our units.

It is still work. Different from our day-to-day tasks at our home congregations, to be sure. But it some respects, it is even more important. We have the opportunity to help connect these kids to their Judaism is a unique and beautiful way.

What a gift…