by Rabbi Koval
Marshall, Indiana, population 1,100, with the only store within city
limits being a wine and liquor store! An unlikely place to discover
and strengthen Jewish identity.
Jewish identity: it seems to have been the JFX theme this past
weekend. Beginning with Ruchi’s blog regarding intermarriage, Doron Kornbluth's talk on raising kids to love being Jewish and the weekly Torah portion with Abraham’s Marvin K.
Mooney-esque spiritual journey.
Then there was Marshall, Indiana, home to camp Nageela, where I had
the privilege to chaperone 5 young men for a Jewish “summer” camp
Shabbaton experience.
The trip to camp was 6 hours long. The drive through “fly-over
country,” Ohio and Indiana farmland was beautiful but monotonous.
(After a while even cows get boring.) Somewhere along the trip, two
interesting observations occurred to me. Firstly, all five of my
travel companions were “bris clients” of mine. Secondly, all of them
have biblical names. (Chronologically, Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob and
Aaron.) Like the biblical Abraham in the weekly Torah portion, we went
on a journey together; ours was fun and inspirational as well.
Over the years I have met many people who attribute their Jewish
identity to their Jewish summer camping experience. Camp Nageela was
everything that I had hoped it would be for these young men, and then
some. It was by far the most inspiring Jewish camp I have ever seen.
Located on a 500-acre, state-of-the-art campground. Their secret
formula of success is their staff: they are dedicated and passionate
to providing a fun camping experience, together with a meaningful
sense of Jewish pride instilled in each and every one of their campers.
Over Shabbat, we did Cleveland proud, while interacting with youngsters
from Chicago, Detroit, and St. Louis. I felt hope for the future of
our people, and faith that the next generation has access to a summer
camping experience that’s fun, professionally run and Jewishly
uplifting.
Ruchi and the girls are joining the camp Nageela girl’s Shabbaton
experience in two weeks, November 15th- 18th.
I encourage all JFX families to consider giving it a shot!
Marshall, Indiana, population 1,100, with the only store within city
limits being a wine and liquor store! An unlikely place to discover
and strengthen Jewish identity.
Jewish identity: it seems to have been the JFX theme this past
weekend. Beginning with Ruchi’s blog regarding intermarriage, Doron Kornbluth's talk on raising kids to love being Jewish and the weekly Torah portion with Abraham’s Marvin K.
Mooney-esque spiritual journey.
Then there was Marshall, Indiana, home to camp Nageela, where I had
the privilege to chaperone 5 young men for a Jewish “summer” camp
Shabbaton experience.
The trip to camp was 6 hours long. The drive through “fly-over
country,” Ohio and Indiana farmland was beautiful but monotonous.
(After a while even cows get boring.) Somewhere along the trip, two
interesting observations occurred to me. Firstly, all five of my
travel companions were “bris clients” of mine. Secondly, all of them
have biblical names. (Chronologically, Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob and
Aaron.) Like the biblical Abraham in the weekly Torah portion, we went
on a journey together; ours was fun and inspirational as well.
Over the years I have met many people who attribute their Jewish
identity to their Jewish summer camping experience. Camp Nageela was
everything that I had hoped it would be for these young men, and then
some. It was by far the most inspiring Jewish camp I have ever seen.
Located on a 500-acre, state-of-the-art campground. Their secret
formula of success is their staff: they are dedicated and passionate
to providing a fun camping experience, together with a meaningful
sense of Jewish pride instilled in each and every one of their campers.
Over Shabbat, we did Cleveland proud, while interacting with youngsters
from Chicago, Detroit, and St. Louis. I felt hope for the future of
our people, and faith that the next generation has access to a summer
camping experience that’s fun, professionally run and Jewishly
uplifting.
Ruchi and the girls are joining the camp Nageela girl’s Shabbaton
experience in two weeks, November 15th- 18th.
I encourage all JFX families to consider giving it a shot!
