Marshall, Indiana
by Rabbi Koval
Marshall, Indiana. Not a bustling metropolis (population 322 according to a 2010 census), but definitely a capital city in terms of meaningful Jewish activity and identity. It is the home of Camp Nageela, a place where boys and girls of varied religious backgrounds from throughout the Midwest come together to have fun and connect with their Jewish roots.
These past two weekends, a dozen young men and women of JFX were fortunate to experience this hands-on. We enjoyed the Nageela Shabbatons, getting a real taste of what a true oasis Camp Nageela is, in both space and time!
More than anything else, it was heartwarming to see young Jews spending an inspiring Shabbos together. The famous poet Achad Ha'am once wrote, "More than the Jews have kept the Shabbos, the Shabbos has kept the Jew." Shabbos is an oasis in time. The small flames of the Shabbos candles symbolized the hustle and bustle of the busy week coming to a screeching halt, and it returned with a roar at Camp Nageela as a large Havdalah torch was held up and an electrifying Havdalah ceremony was celebrated.
After the bloody and tragic aftermath of the recent Jerusalem terrorist attack, the four widows sent out a letter to world Jewry asking for Jews from around the world to put their petty differences aside and focus on what unites them. These past two weekends, JFX was fortunate to be a part of that. It all happened in Marshall, Indiana. Jews of many different stripes, celebrating and enjoying the things that unite and strengthen us - AM YISRAEL CHAI!!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Koval
