By COLlive reporter
Mishpacha Magazine asked a few known individuals to share their most cherished memories from summer camp in the lastest issue.
Benny Friedman, a popular singer with several releases that top the best-seller charts, recalled his time at Chabad’s first overnight camp for boys, Camp Gan Israel in Parksville, NY.
Here is what he said:
I remember good times, uplifting times, happy times, sunny days and rainy days, but if there is one memory that has stayed with me, it is the intensity of the counselors. It’s the messages they conveyed, without preaching.
These were yeshiva bochurim who came to spend the summers with a bunch of kids from who-knows-where (Minnesota!) and they were out of their natural habitat — the walls of the beis medrash.
But despite the fact that they were serious bochurim, they managed to do all the silly things that kids enjoy — without forfeiting the dignity of proper yeshivah students.
They could go from tossing balloons in a water fight back to their open seforim in a seamless motion. They could barbeque, tell scary stories, and pitch tents on an overnight trip, but then don their hats and jackets to say Krias Shema. They could revel in the refreshing joy of a water park, but proudly wear tzitzis and a yarmulke.
Somehow, the lesson was so much more powerful when delivered that way.
The impact that a counselor can make outside the formal classroom setting can never be underestimated: Until this day, when I am engaged in trying to entertain Yiddishe kinderlach, to make freilach, I have those images in my mind.
Don’t take yourself seriously, but do take your Yiddishkeit seriously — all the time, wherever you are.
thanks for the inspiration agree that the merging of both, is incredible and make it #1
Gevaldik, I wonder if the camps still have that magic they once did, great point
Cannot not remember the quote exactly but the Rebbe said often that what can be accomplished in time at Camp (Gan Yisroel) is more than 12 years of being in school.
Benny thats beautiful and a real inspiration as a counselor
Yahser Koach
Thank you Benny for sharing your memories, making them meaningful and for the good advice! I am proud to share a place called home Minnesota with you, Benny! You always give your parents,family and friends lots of nachus! From: The Katz family.
I am a counselor in a camp and this really gave me the push to try harder and watch my actions.
Love the line – don’t take yourself seriously but take ur yiddishkeit seriously
Thank you Benny — I am passing it on to my son the camp counselor.