This week we were privileged to take a group of 21 of our Jteens on a camping trip in upstate NY, and we must share our experience.
As you may know, this is not the first time we have gone camping with young people, in fact we do this about six times every summer with Fair Lawn Jewish Day Camp with our Adventure camp and pioneer divisions, and the kids really enjoy learning independence, socialization, meeting new people, and enjoying new experiences.
On camp trips with younger kids we have many rules to ensure the safety of the children. One big rule we have is about not having cell phones, to ensure that kids socialize and enjoy the outdoors instead of being stuck to their devices. Counselors are charged with keeping kids safe and implementing these rules.
But this trip was different - Jteens are in high school. Most of the teens are camp alumni and we have known them for many years since they have been children. Many also participated in those camp trips before when they were much younger.
However, on this teen trip, there were no rules about cell phones, and I have to say, these two days showed us how special our teens really are.
Throughout the trip our teens demonstrated independence, doing responsible things without even being asked, setting up and helping each other, proper etiquette during meals, cleaning up, and saying please and thank you.
Most of all, was so inspiring to see 21 teens sit together for hours, first in some great social games, and then around the fire talking, asking questions, discussing deep philosophical ideas, and showing respect to those who were in disagreement.
And here is the best part. There were no phones being used at these times, everyone was involved, talking and enjoying each other's company, with zero electronic distractions, and all this without a single rule of “no phones”.
This continued throughout the night into the morning, through breakfast, and cleaning up our tents and areas and preparing to leave. Teens were independent, kind, thoughtful and helpful, without even being asked or told to do so.
Our point? We have awesome young people in our community who have great parents that educate them and raise them with values.
Our teens have a great interest in Judaism, questions and conversations were deep and intellectual and on an adult level of understanding.
Parents, continue to do what you are doing. Be involved in your kids' lives, take interest in them, and continue to role-model Jewish morals and ethics to them. We have a strong Jewish teen community here, let’s work together to continue to grow and accomplish great things! And we can confidently say that our teens are the proud educated Jews of the next generation and will be the ones to bring about a better world with the coming of Moshiach!
Sincerely,
Rabbi Mendel & Elke Zaltzman
Supporting our community
As we open Synagogue, we continue to provide online resources for you, and for those who are not ready to join Synagogue just yet.
Hebrew School registration is now open for the 2020-2021 year! Options are available for full in-person classes or virtual online classes which will have a dedicated fully present teacher fully engaging children just like in persson classes.
Our Hebrew school offers engaging and interactive lessons, dedicated and energetic teachers, and individualized learning where children grow and flourish in Jewish life!
We are happy to announce that we have begun to work on our beautiful full color community calendar for the new 5781 year.
You can help make it happen, please support the calendar by placing an ad for your business.
Betty and Hyman are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary at home with their family and friends.
During the afternoon, Isaac, one of their friends, goes over to them and says, "Mazal tov! You two look so happy together. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how have you both managed to stay so happy and so loving for so long?"
Hyman replies first, "Well, as far as I’m concerned, I’ve tried very hard in all this time never to be selfish. After all, as my dear mother used to say, there’s no ‘i’ in the word 'marriage’."
Then Betty has her say. "Well," she says, smiling, "I look upon it differently. As far as I’m concerned, I have never tried to correct Hyman’s spelling."
WEEKLY eTORAH
The Torah makes for a lousy history book. Often times significant historical events are completely omitted, whereas seemingly trivial incidents are related at length. To make matters a bit more confusing, the Torah has a penchant for recounting events out of chronological sequence.
This is because the Torah, although presented in story form, is not a history book at all. Every biblical episode is actually “current events,” applicable to our daily lives. Thus the Torah relates only stories whose messages are timeless, and even those stories are “edited”—leaving only the details which are germane to its eternal messages, and presented in a manner which will bring across the message in an optimal manner.
Thus, to study Torah without exploring the text for its pertinent messages is to ignore the Torah’s soul. For example, when we feel overwhelmed and flooded by life’s troubles, we look to Noah for inspiration. When we are locked in combat with evil—temptations from within, or opposition from without—we read the story of Jacob and Esau, and learn how to react. The story of the Exodus teaches us how to deal with our enslavement to our impulses, nature and/or addictions.
The Book of Deuteronomy is replete with Moses’ descriptions of the upcoming conquest of the land of Canaan, and his assurances that the Israelites will be successful in battle. The following, taken from this week’s Torah reading, is one of Moses’ many statements on this subject:
Will you say to yourself, “These nations are more numerous than I; how will I be able to drive them out?” You shall not fear them . . . You shall not be terrified of them, for the L‑rd, your G‑d, who is in your midst, is a great and awesome G‑d. (Deuteronomy 7:17–21)
Moses was addressing a nation that was as accustomed to miracles as we are to nature. With Moses at their helm, the Israelites had just conquered the two mighty kingdoms of the Emorites and Bashanites. Their daily diet consisted of heavenly manna and water which spewed forth from a rock. Yet Moses sensed their dread and trepidation, and felt the need to reassure them. They were keenly aware that once they entered Canaan they were on their own. G‑d wouldn’t send ten plagues upon the Canaanites, nor would Moses be there to manipulate nature at whim. And facing the 31 Canaanite kings in battle on an even playing field was a frightening prospect.
And Moses didn’t deny that the foe was formidable. But he reassured them that while G‑d’s hand would not be patent in their impending war, it would nevertheless be behind the scenes, ensuring the Israelites’ victory. Recognizing the importance of morale, Moses infused the Israelites with confidence, reassuring them that they need only do their part on the battlefield, and G‑d will arrange the favorable outcome.
It would be foolhardy to underestimate the battle which we face daily, and we may not have the wherewithal to succeed merely on our own powers. Yet, Moses enjoins us to remember that we are not alone on the battlefield. G‑d wants us to struggle and toil, but when we do so, He personally guarantees our victory.
“The L‑rd, your G‑d, will drive out those nations from before you, little by little . . .” (Deuteronomy 7:22)
The battle is slow; we do not become spiritual people overnight. But with persistence, determination and help from Above, we will eventually become the spiritual and refined individuals we so yearn to be.
