We are in the Jewish month of Elul, the month immediately preceding the high holidays. In just 3 weeks, we will celebrate Rosh HaShanah, the birthday of the world. Elul is a time to reflect and prepare ourselves for this new year. Much like during the month of December, when we begin to make our New Year’s Resolutions before the turn of the calendar year, Judaism builds in this time for reflection.
We enter into the Days of Awe – the period of time that begins on Rosh HaShanah and ends on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement – having done the hard work of looking inward. We take stock of what we did right and what we did wrong. This is our time to notice where we can grow, apologize to those we have wronged, and think about how to do better in the coming year.
Themes that keep coming up for me in the life of GFC are kindness and gratitude. We have a unique opportunity to create sacred space when we gather together at camp. We enter into Jewish time, we create a new community, we are able to start fresh each time we come together for a retreat or a summer session. I am so thankful for what we get to build over and over again. We look closely at our values and ask ourselves: Did we treat each other with kindness and respect? What can we learn from how we responded toha challenging situations? How can we do better?
Many of our summer camper families and staff members completed a survey letting us know what you think we did well and where we can do better. We look at this information and use it to plan forward – thank you for taking the time help us be better. Later in the year, we will let you know what we’ve learned and how that will impact Summer 2025. If you did not get a chance to complete the survey before it closed last week, please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have feedback.
As we look into the Jewish new year of 5785, we welcome in new leadership to our Camp Committee. Congratulations to Neal Spielman, Chair, and Hilary Kamin, Vice Chair. Michelle Lynn-Sachs, outgoing chair, moves onto our Leaders Council of former camp committee chairs. Neal and Hilary bring years of experience to their roles. Neal is a camp alumnus and has been supporting camp as a lay leader for many years. Hilary is a camp alumnus, camper parent, summer faculty member, and more. I am honored to partner with them as we plan our 50th summer of Greene Family Camp.
Left to right: Marissa Meador (associate director), Hilary Kamin (vice-chair), Rabbi Erin Mason (director), Neal Spielman (chair)
Speaking of leadership… our new assistant director will start later this month. We are so excited to welcome this person to our team! Stay tuned for details.
GFC community – Thank you for all you have done to support GFC this year! Thank you for sharing your family with us. Thank you for your financial support. Thank you for helping GFC continue to grow and be a leader in Jewish camping.
Join us for our year-round events, local community gatherings, Summer 2025, and our 50th Reunion. 5785 is going to be a great year!
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Erin