Opening Blessing from Rabbi Andrew Terkel
Roman Mars, host of the radio show 99% Invisible said that “we make the most marvelous things when our reach exceeds our grasp.”
He’s talking about the moment when we strive for something just outside our comfort zone, take the basketball shot just a few feet farther out than we think we can make it, say hello to that new camper in our bunk that we don’t know yet, or set our goals just a little higher than what we think we can accomplish.
That’s what Roman Mars means when he says “Our reach exceeds our grasp.” “We make the most marvelous things when our reach exceeds our grasp.” When we are ridiculously optimistic. Relentlessly inquisitive. Unendingly curious. When we open ourselves up to risk, when we go somewhere we’ve never gone before, we set ourselves up for the possibility of truly marvelous moments. For radical and powerful friendships. For magic.
My blessing for all of us this summer is that our reach consistently exceed our grasp. Whether we are climbing the alpine tower, or attempting a 7 strand friendship bracelet. Jumping off the blog, or sitting next to someone who looks like they could use a friend.
“We make the most marvelous things when our reach exceeds our grasp.” And there’s no better place that Greene Family Camp to reach beyond what we once thought possible, and create magical moments, magical friendships, and magical memories.
Happy Summer GFC.
Shorashim – Eliana Klein & Lex Freeman
Dear Shorashim,
Our wish for you is that you laugh often, dance crazy, sing loud, and love with your whole heart.
Our wish is that you make the most out of everyday. That you learn to live and be present in each and every moment. That you share a smile with everyone you meet. Because those sitting with you right now are one day going to fall under a category of “forever friend.”
Our wish is that you let your “forever friends” help you learn and grow in multiple ways.
“What day is it?”
“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day,” said Pooh.
Niviim – Marissa Haber & Amanda Leventhal
Greene Family Camp had a unit,
EIEIO,
And in that unit they had 9 bunks,
EIEIO,
With a Be’er Sheva here and a Rehavia, Herzaliya there,
Here’s an Ashdod, there’s a Kineret,
Everyone’s a Niviimer!
Greene Family Camp had a unit,
EIEO,
And in that unit they had 9 bunks,
EIEIO,
With a Sasa here and a Gilo there,
Here a Nesher there an Eilat,
Evereyon’s a Veemer!
Niviim is the best Unit.
EIEIO
So my wish to each Niviim bunks is that you drum to your own beat, make beautiful long lasting memories, and practice reut wherever you are.
Kohanim – Hannah Simon
Audrey Hepburn once said that “as you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” As we grow older, Kohanim, and we are becoming more independent, my wish for you is to take care of yourself. Take care of your hygiene. Take care of your friendships. Take care of your own happiness. And on the other hand, help others. Help the new campers who don’t know where to go. Help your shy friends be confident and make new friends. Help others who don’t know how to pray or thrive in a fully Jewish community. My wish, Kohanim, is that with our hands we build a beautiful camp community.
Shoftim – Rachael Hunt
William Butler Yeats once said, “There are no strangers here; only friends you haven’t yet met.” I can think of nowhere on earth where this is truer than here at GFC. Shoftim, my wish for you this summer is that you all make new friends, connect with old friends, and that as a community we all grow and learn from each other while having an amazing time together! Let’s make this the best summer ever.
Melachim – Tal Schreiber
I wish you all to aim high. Shoot for the moon, and if you miss the moon, you will still be among the stars. Dear Melachim stars, I want you to to know that every great dream begins with a dreamer. Your friends sitting next to you are a part of a dream coming true. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars, to make this the best summer of your life.
Look up at the stars and put down your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious, and try new things.
S’ganim – Ofir Levitan
Ropes, lake, pool, chadar, S’ganim Salon and so many different activities are at camp…but when you are a S’ganimer, odds are you already know them all, and they are not the reason you come back to camp.
As written in my favorite children’s book:
“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince
Seeing you all today, coming back and the first thing you want to do, is find your friend, find your second family.
This summer, I wish for y’all to be the family you are and let others join in, instead of working as 3 different bunks, work and live as ONE unit, ONE FAMILY.
Have a great summer.
Kibbutz – Josh Friedman
Tonight we’re focusing on Reut. Friendship means being able to share. This is something I stole from a friend, with their permission: I give Kibbutz the blessing of growth. The only way we can live is if we grow. The only way that we can grow is if we change. The only way we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way we can become exposed is if we throw ourselves out in the open. Do it. Throw yourself. Feel openness. Judge not. Live well. Come together. Right now, over GFC. My wish for you Kibbutz is that you summon the bravery to be exactly who you want to be.
Avodah – Rachel Kohnhorst and Riana Sherman
My wish for you Avodah is that you pass it on.
Here at GFC we pass on many things: the clothes, traditions, or even food down the family table. It is now your chance to pass on these things to your campers. As you transition this session and this summer, I want you to remember that passing on camp magic to campers does not mean that you leave your fun days at GFC behind. It just means that you get to shape the next generations of the place you love.
Remember to pass it on, and when you think that you are too tired to continue, know that it only takes a spark to get a friendship growing and soon all those around can warm up to its glowing. That’s how it is at GFC. Once you’ve experienced it. You want to see the love it brings you want to pass it on.
Leonardo da Vinci said, “It has long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sit back and let things happen to them. They go out and happen to things.” My hope for you this summer is that you challenge yourself, that you step out of your comfort zone, and that you give 100% of yourself to this summer and know you are making a huge difference. This is your summer! The possibilities are endless for you this summer. I am so honored to be on this journey with you!
Directors – Lou and Stefani
We are GFC,
No one else can conquer we,
Staff and campers come to Camp,
To be the best that we can be.
If you know of what I say,
We welcome you to camp today,
To save the planet, have some fun,
And say Shema to the only one.
All the staff is gald you’re here,
We’ve been planning all the year,
To welcome you to camp today,
This is it, what can we say!
Make the camp your happy home,
Make some friends and eat some scones,
Make a vow this very day,
You’ll make the most of what I say.