Jewish Values and Camp Traditions: A Joyful Reunion at Crane Lake

On the opening day of summer 2024 at Crane Lake Camp, I found myself on the way to Logan Airport to pick up campers flying in from the West Coast. When everyone had landed safely and we finally piled into the camp van the excitement from the campers started showing. They reminisced about last summer’s van ride on opening day and talked about who they hoped their counselors would be and the activities they were most looking forward to.

As we neared the red gates the campers began pulling out bracelets in anticipation of our arrival. No, they were not Taylor Swift beaded bracelets or string friendship bracelets, they were Jewish Values bracelets. In those last few minutes of our van ride, the campers explained to their friend who was new to camp all about the weekly Jewish Values we have at Crane Lake, what kinds of things you can do to earn bracelets, and how fun it is to earn the bracelets. Their voices were filled with excitement and joy and as we pulled through the gates happy tears streamed down the campers’ faces as they continued discussing their favorite Jewish values.

Every Saturday night at Crane Lake, immediately following Havdalah the Jewish Life team announces the new Jewish value of the week. Campers jump with joy and scream with excitement as the new value is revealed and the energy is palpable. Camp provides the opportunity to immerse the campers in Jewish values in all aspects of their life. Every activity, interaction they have, meal they eat, and more is grounded in Jewish values.

As I reflect on that van ride on opening day I can’t help but smile. The pride in knowing that the excitement they have for living out their Jewish values at camp is in the same category as excitement for seeing their friends, fight songs, or being back in the bubble is every Jewish educator’s dream.

Rachel Barnehama ‘18 is an alum of HUC-JIR’s New York campus and the HUC-School of Education Alumni Association Co-Chair. Rachel currently serves as the Senior Director of Engagement for Columbia Barnard Hillel in New York City.