Everything is the same, but different

A poem by Sci Tech Participant, Bus 12

Everything is the same, but different. That was my first thought on our far-too-long bus ride from the airport. Then it was the sun. It was a close second. The sun is the same mass of incandescent gas we’ve sung about at camp, but this time blood dripped from the sunset and orange lilies sprouted from the horizon. This time, the sun was so fiery-red that my blue eyes turned purple. After seeing the same sun for 16 years – and becoming utterly underwhelmed by what I had seen at home – I was excited to see something new. Except that there are strangers bustling through the airport like any other airport. They are utterly underwhelmed by what they see; they see it everyday. So maybe by the end of the trip it won’t be different anymore: less fire and purple and extraordinary sunsets. Less wide eyes and more eye rolls. Maybe it’s just the same sun with no special stories and no creative sparks tied to its rays. Maybe I just need to watch our sunset a few more times.

The Hope “HaTikvah” is Freedom

The Hope “HaTikvah” is Freedom

By: Ariel Fogelman, Director of Yallah! Israel For three thousand years the story of Passover has been a story of hope. In the book of Exodus chapter 12, all the details of the holiday are given. The people of Israel are still slaves and cannot celebrate anything in...

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Notes from Rabbi Erin Mason

Notes from Rabbi Erin Mason

We are re-sharing this blog post written by Rabbi Erin Mason, Director of URJ Greene Family Camp, who recently traveled on FJC’s (Federation for Jewish Camp) Camp Professionals Israel Mission.   In mid-February, I participated in a mission with the Foundation for...

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Three Months I Will Never Forget

Three Months I Will Never Forget

By: Alyssa Kruman, Summer 2023 Madricha, Camp Harlam Bus 15 Summer 2023 was three months that I will never forget. There was nothing more rewarding than being by the side of Jewish teens experiencing the most special place for the first time. Each day brought new...

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Reflections from my trip to Israel

Reflections from my trip to Israel

We are re-sharing this blog post written by Rabbi Ilana Mills, Director of URJ Camp Kalsman, who recently traveled on FJC's (Federation for Jewish Camp) Camp Professionals Israel Mission. By: Rabbi Ilana Mills, Camp Kalsman Director When I stand with a wedding couple...

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