Archive for 'Letters from Alumni'

My Favorite Story as a Camper (Part II)

December 16, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Danny Soshnik

…continued from part 1.

We all made it back in, but we needed to be quiet so as not to tip off to Brick that we were anything but asleep.  This proved to be very difficult – we all had stories to share of close calls with other schmears.  But we stayed disciplined.

A couple minutes passed, and we thought we were golden.  And then, the light turned on in the screened in porch.  We could hear the footsteps, and none of us dared move.

In walks Brick.  My heart drops as he says, in a mock singing fashion, “Oh Danny Boy.”  I fake sleep as he walks over to my bunk.  “Why don’t you come with me.”  I fake stumble as a recently woken boy out to the Schmear site where Brick, obviously angry and visibly wet (success – we did it!), sits down next to me.

“I was just schmearing, minding my own business.  When suddenly I was hit by a water balloon.”

I’m not much of an actor (my partner in crime Bryan, now that’s a different story).  And I wasn’t the type of kid who was often in and liked being in trouble.  However, on this night, where everything was executed so pefectly, I wasn’t ready to throw in the towel.

I said to Brick, with the straightest emotionless face possible, “I’m sorry to hear that.”

I don’t think he bought it.  Busted…or so I thought.

As Brick was about to lay into me, taking me for every minute of Chofesh left in the session, the cry of an angel saved me.  Actually it was less of a cry and more of a moan.  And it wasn’t an angel – it was Ricky Ofstein.  Back spasms.  Bad ones.  His pain, my gain.

Apparently earlier in the day Brick had given Ricky a bear hug, and threw out Ricky’s back.  Funny, because if I were to lift Ricky, I’m sure it would throw out my back.

Anyway, he couldn’t have picked a better time to get spasms.  He was in real pain.  For anyone who knows Ricky, nothing he does is without dramatic effect.  He was, from my perspective, a rockstar that night.  And Brick, had to act upon it.

Long story short (too late), Ricky got in the van and went to the hospital.  But not before, to add insult to injury, while sitting up in his bed, a super soaker fell from the rafters onto his head.

Just like that, the focus on my personal punishment was long over.

The next day I spoke to my friends across Kadimahland in Trzif Vav, and wondered how Brick knew it was us (me, specifically).  Apparently, the water baloon that hit Brick came from the direction of Tzrif Vav.  Brick, in his infinite wisdom, went in looking for the most likely culprit.  Running into Vav, he screamed, “(Dan) Shapiro, G-D D#^!%IT!”.  Dan, being the sellout he is, pleaded “It wasn’t me, it was Soshnik!”  Thanks Dan.

As it turns out, we weren’t quite as cleared as we thought we were.  We were told at breakfast that right before Nikayon, we had to go to Mary Lou’s office – all of us.   I had never been to the director’s office, but safety in numbers, right?

She was none to thrilled.  Told us about respect.  Being dugmahot for the younger campers.  All that stuff.  Then, at a quiet, tense moment, Billy Rosenberg farted.  Everyone heard it.  Everyone, that is, except Mary Lou.  Shefren couldn’t contain his laughter.  Mary Lou was none too thrilled.  She famously quoted, “You’ll never be Deavers!”

Of course, the Deaver program was based on lottery, not on merrit (thank goodness).

In the end,  I think we lost chofesh for a night or two.  But gained a memory for a lifetime.   Oh, and of the 12 of us in tzrif Zayin, 6 went on to be Deavers.  And of those 6, all were Ozrim two years later.

What’s the morale of the story?  1) If you’re going to break a rule, it’s best to do so with a moviestar.  2) Your best friends often end up being the ones who live across the way and will sell you out at a moment’s notice.  3) Stay close with those around you and they will bail you out with well-timed pain or flatulence in a desperate time of need.

Shabbat Shalom!

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My Favorite Story as a Camper (Part I)

November 18, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Danny Soshnik

Part I

In the wake of my Herzl Magic Bracket, I’ve had a tough time knowing what to write about.  The past nine months have really been easy for me, but now that it is over, I need to actually think of something compelling to write.  So I figured that I’d share with you my favorite story from when I was a camper.

The year was 1992.  Kuwait had long since been liberated, the St. Louis Cardinals were in their early 90s funk, and I was a Kadimahnik.

My counselors were Steve “Brick” Goldstein, and Todd “Baseball Bat” Zeff.  We were in Tzrif Zion (Gadol) and actually were the first ever campers in that cabin, which was pretty cool.

During one evening program in the Marp basement, Bryan Greenberg and I learned that Brick was going to be shmearing Kadimah from the fire pit right outside our door.  We managed to both head to the North Haks at the same time, and that’s when the brilliant planning began.  Brick, who was new to camp that year, was going to get a “Welcome to Shmearing” present unlike any other.  See, before Bryan was a moviestar/rockstar, he was a hooligan.

The plan was simple actually.  After he went through the 5 cabins in Kadimahland, he would settle into his shmear site, and then it was go time.  During Chofesh, we spent the entire time explaining the plan to our bunkmates.

Fast forward a couple hours.  The time, probably 10:45.  Lights were out.  The preparations had long since been made.  It was go time.

Everyone had a role.  Rory Zamansky was clearly nervous, so he was going to “stay back and be on lookout”.  The rest of us climbed one by one out our back window.  I’m quite confident none of us could fit out of that window now, especially Aaron Shefren.

We were dressed in black, as if it were Escape to Israel or Capture the Flag.  But this Lights Out activity, led by campers, was “Smear the Shmear”.  The goal was simple:  Hit unsuspecting Brick with water balloons and escape back into the cabin before he knew where it came from.

We had everything covered – synchronized watches, people on the lookout with a known code if we needed to abandon the mission, and specifics as to where each of us would be stationed.  When the clock hit the magical moment, Bryan and I launched our balloons from near Trzif Vav.   What a rush!  We had no idea if we hit intended target, but it didn’t matter.  We quickly retraced our steps and climbed back into the cabin.

To Be Continued…

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Next year…

November 11, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Debra Fiterman

Herzl Camp is really all about anticipation.  Halfway through the week your Taster summer you are saying, “Next year, when we are here for two weeks, it’ll be so awesome!”  That is followed by an entire school year of countdowns, bunkmate strategizing and Target runs in anticipation of the next summer.

This “next year” mentality follows you through every summer.  Maba will be better than Taste.  Machaneh will be better than Maba.  Kadimah is going to be the best!  No, no…B’Yachad is going to be the best.  Ozo summer?!  Forget about it.

But the irony in all this, is that I would bet that if any of us alumni could choose, we’d probably go back as Tasters.  One week.  Absolutely everything is taken care of for you.  Zero responsibility.  No awkward cliques.  No puberty.  Pure fun.

So…I would like to ask all of you, if you could go back as a Taster for summer 2011, what would your dream week look like?  What chugim would you be “counting down” for?  What bunkmate would you strategically make sure you got with?  What would be your new favorite Target must-have for your one week away?  Who would be your dream counselor?

I’ll go first….

• Chugim? Amanut and the play (I’m a huge nerd).
• Bunkmate? Someone cool from Kansas.  It was always more fun to say you bunked with an out-of-towner.  And you had excuses to stay up late on AIM.
• Target Must-Have? Baby bottle (I’m probably dating myself but these were VERY cool)
• Dream Counselor? Flip.

Ok, now its your turn.  Shabbat Shalom!

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Who is Your Herzl Legend?

November 8, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Zoe Stern

Last Friday night I went to see a local junior high play and then out for pizza with a few families. At 28 I’ve finally reached the age where I’m allowed to sit at the “adults” end of the table. So there I was sitting with the adults when one of the 12 year old boys made his way down towards me. I didn’t really know him and he had barley spoken 5 words to me all night. Somehow though he had just heard that I was Herzl die-hard. This excited him enough to get him out of his sports-watching-seated-safely-among-other-12-year-old-boys-spot.

He didn’t seem to care so much that I went to camp or when or how I felt about it. The first thing out of his mouth was, “Do you know Louie Sloven???” Followed by, “Did you know that he has gone to Herzl for 20 years??” And then “Did you know he invented _________?” (fill in the blank…because at this point he was so excited and talking so fast I had no idea what he was saying.) The answer to the first question was “Of course I know Louie Sloven! He was in my Kadimah in 2002!” And then, “But I’m not sure he’s been at Herzl for 20 years and I have no idea what he has invented!” It was a fun and funny conversation and it got me thinking about Louie as this kids Herzl legend. There are many of them, and everyone has one. They are both timely and timeless in their impact of campers lives, and most probably don’t even know the moment they become one.

A Herzl legend might have created some crazy game, starred in 12 Gates, told the scariest version of Rosemary, brought Ultimate Frisbee to Ozo Park, became your Papa Ozo, had a crazy nickname or a signature song, talked you through a homeless moment, cued you in on Herzl lingo…The list goes on. So, who is your Herzl legend?

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Herzl Camp Remembers … Bob Dylan??

November 7, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Andrea Zeitzew Myers

I don’t have many complete memories of my time at Camp Herzl, mostly just bits and pieces. It was 1976 and I had just turned 10 that summer, and I may have been the youngest camper there that year. I remember the first day when the girls in my cabin were asking ages, and it was kind of a big deal when we all discovered at the same time that I was a full year younger than the other girls. (My mother may have asked special permission to get me in early??) The age difference caused quite a stir among my cabin mates, and I don’t think I really connected with the girls that year because of my age. I don’t remember any of them! How sad! I do remember we practiced for, and put on a show for the other campers that summer, and it was “Tommy: The Pinball Wizard”, but I don’t remember much about the show or what my role was in it.

I have some very good memories of my only summer at Herzl.

One of my memories is the circle gathering in a big open area. I remember a large circle of kids around a flagpole, and a celebration for the Bi-Centennial year (1976). That Bi-Centennial celebration is the only reason I know what year I was there.

Another great memory that summer was my first crush on a boy! I stole his hat and managed to keep it near my bunk in my cabin for most of my stay at camp. I won’t mention the name of the boy, I don’t want to embarrass him further, but I remember him clearly.

I also remember I became sick that summer, and a kind counselor gave me a piggy back ride to the infirmary where I spent about a week. There was a nice female nurse (doctor?) there who cared for me. Towards the end of camp I was still in the infirmary but well enough that the nurse let me go to some sort of show (maybe a talent show?) that was at an open-air type of theatre with benches and a stage.

My favorite memory of Herzl: BOB DYLAN!!! It didn’t occur to me until I was older, that Bob Dylan had actually come to Herzl and performed a private show for us that summer. At the time, being only 10 years old, I had no idea who Bob Dylan was. I believe his son Jacob was a camper there that year (1976) but I may be mistaken. We gathered in the dining room building, and my group was seated on the floor in front of Bob Dylan, who sat on a stool and played his guitar and sang for us. I was bored. Very bored. I remember wanting it to be over, because I wanted to go play (Sorry! Again, I was only 10!) I do remember the counselors and staff were totally enjoying the show, and all were standing along the walls dancing and grooving to the music.

I would love to hear from others who also remember Bob Dylan at Herzl in 1976, my sister and I can’t be the only ones who remember this??!! [Editor's Note:  Hey Alumni, don't leave Andrea hanging here, who else was there in the summer of '76 that can validate her story?  Do you remember Bob Dylan?  Was this the original Ruachfest of lore?  Share your comments!]

THANKS, CAMP HERZL, FOR THE GREAT MEMORIES!!!

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The Usems are Camp People!

October 31, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Mark Usem

Herzl Camp… It’s been a family “thing” since my sister Cookie was the first Usem to attend Herzl in 1966, then Linda, and finally me in 1972.  Of course, there were other Usems that have attended Herzl back then, my cousins Michael, Jeffrey, and David… and all of us from Red Wing, MN, a small town 50 miles southeast of St. Paul with no Jews other than those in our immediate family.  Our summers at Herzl Camp were some of the first truly positive Jewish experiences we all had with other kids, and it came to define a lot of who and what we were to become as adults. From Herzl camper, to Ozo, to Madrich, it was all good stuff!

If it wasn’t for Herzl, I wouldn’t have met my wife. OK, I didn’t meet my wife at Herzl, though Lynn could just as easily have been a Herzl person. I met her while working at OSRUI (Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute …yea… another Jewish Camp in Wisconsin).  I still loved Herzl Camp, but it was time to try something new …and the reason I started working at OSRUI was because another ex-Herzl staff member, Anita Saltzman, who knew me from my days staffing Herzl Camp, came up to me at a Jewish Camp Fair at the University of Michigan in 1980, and convinced me to work there. And after some new experiences, one girlfriend (now my wife), and 4 kids later, all-in-all, it was a great move.

Round-about, I’ve come to understand that “camp people” are “camp people”, and they’re a different type of person than other “non-camp people” who don’t quite understand how you can send your children away for a good part of the summer. I believe most don’t understand simply because they have never had the opportunity to experience the profound life-changing experiences that a camp like Herzl can provide.  I believe there’s truly a philosophy about Jewish summer camping that extends much beyond camp.

When our children (Sam, Dan, Jessica, and Sidney) were old enough to attend camp, they went to camp… it really was never in question.  We never quite understood other people who asked their kids if they wanted to attend camp… we never asked… our children just did… we expected it… we planned on it… to us it was what you did as a Jewish kid in the summer… it was how you explored and defined who you were as a Jewish kid in our society today. Our children have now become Herzl campers, Herzl Ozos, and Herzl Staff members. Of course, they have made friendships that will last a lifetime, but even more important they have learned what it means to explore their Judaism and live a Jewish life in a way that includes a variety of experiences much different and more profound than we could provide at home, and they could do so in an inclusive community with a degree of freedom and an intensity that is unmatched in other environments.

We’re proud of our children, and proud of the decisions they’ve made in life. We’re proud of the people they’ve become. And though today you’ll find a variety of ways they express their Judaism and the degree to which they practice traditional Jewish rituals and customs, I feel they have all made conscious decisions on how to live their lives not on ignorance of Judaic practice and thought, but on deep understanding of Judaism and thoughtful reflection, due in great part to the influence of Herzl Camp in their lives.

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Herzl Camp Continues to Win for Winston

October 11, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Zoe Stern

A few months ago, fellow Herzl alum Bryan Grone wrote about former camper and staff member Michael Winston and his courageous fight against ALS.

Last night over 350 people gathered from all over the country to help Michael continue his fight. The second annual Winning for Winston raised an astounding $200,000 and heightened the communities awareness of this horrible disease and what it is doing to Michael. To say the community “showed up” would be an understatement. The outpouring of support could not be missed, and was overwhelming. A large part of that community has a connection to Herzl Camp.

As is evident over and over again this group came together and rallied in support of someone who needs it. Included in the evening was a great presentation MC’d by Don Shelby and including a video made by Ben Cohen featuring Michael. Please take a moment to watch it and really understand what Michael goes through on an everyday basis.

To see the video, click here.

The evening wrapped up with a typical campfire song session (sans campfire…I can’t imagine Oakridge would have appreciated that) put on by Bryan Grone and Doug Baldinger. As expected, the singing went longer than scheduled and turned into a 12 Gates episode. I’m pretty sure us Herzl kids would have sat there all night if we could. ALS and what it has done to Michael is heartbreaking, his community will continue to support him in every way possible. Neither Herzl Camp or ALS research is possible without your support.

If you are able, please consider making a donation to Herzl Camp or ALS-TDI. Thank you for all of your past, current and future support.

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The “Herzl Effect”

October 3, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Neer Lect

I imagine many of you heard about quantum theory’s “butterfly effect”  which, in the baseline, means that a butterfly swish of wings over Beijing can cause a hurricane over Nebraska (or some other place). Well, after that “Chaos Theory 101″ lesson you might wonder “what the hell is going on in this guy’s head?”. Well, whether I can feel it or not, the” Herzl effect” is active on me. As it turns out, the experience I had during those 2.5 months, in the summer of 1999 effects things I do and say till this day, so I can only be envious at some of my fellow staff members who are more embedded in the experience.

Truth is, I find myself remembering (and mentioning) camp in my archaeological digs (mainly during meals), in the university (when an American walks by), and most of all when I see a “cloud” of nets, or playing Frisbee. Just now, working with a friend and talking about beer, I found myself bringing up the pour house…

So I started to wonder, how does the “Herzl Effect” effect others who are embedded in the experience more then I? how the experience effects the day-to-day life? Naturally, it wouldn’t be the same because the effect of a long standing, constant relationship with camp, is fundamentally different from the one-time experience I had. In parallel love terms it would be like the difference between a camp “hook-up” and being exclusive during several camp summers, wouldn’t it?

And that’s only camp life. You need to remember that as far as house life (as opposed to camp life) goes, I know only 3 houses – the weekend before camp (and g-d forgive me, I forgot the family Gal and I spent time with) and the week after camp, that Flip and the Frisch family and the Wallstiens hosted me. I want to thank those three families by the way, I am a horrible house guest.

Camp, and the faces of some of the staff members and campers, are still fresh in my mind, as it was yesterday. I am quite sure I will be able to recognize many of them, although 11 years had passed since. I can’t speak in the name of the other Israeli guys and girls who were there that year (Eitan, Gal, Michal, Yoav), but on me at least it had a very profound impact.

Regards,
Neer (far, wherever you are) Lect
1999 Tripper.

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Tribute to My 83′ Ozrim

September 30, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Missy Korenblat-Hanin

This past February, I received a message from one of my 1983 Ozrim.  This was exciting, curious and surprising – especially after 27 years.  Because Ricky Bloomfield (Papa Ozo ’83) and I are the only two from this group NOT on Facebook, Susie Fellman Witkowski worked hard to find our email addresses, track us down and invite us to a reunion for the entire group.

Ricky and I were totally in shock and couldn’t fathom how this was going to work or if it would really happen.  A short 5 months later, this dream became a reality and our fabulously, fun-filled weekend began.  We came from Massachusetts, Missouri, Chicago, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, and California – 15 out of 18!  Seeing everyone as a group after all this time was truly an awe-inspiring moment; it was a “bucket list” experience to be sure.  We met for a wonderful shabbat dinner and began laughing the moment we were all together. The laughter lasted the entire weekend.  We recounted stories about each other (and learned some new ones…), reminisced about our Herzl memories, shared pictures and spoke about how important the summer of 1983 truly was.

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The Power of the Herzl Community

September 19, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Zander Abrams

Some of you may know that I have moved to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa College of Law [Editor's Note:  Darn, I didn't know that.  I need to keep more up to date with my '05 Ozrim!].  I had only been to Iowa City twice before. I visited once for an admitted student’s day and another time to find my apartment, each visit lasting under 24 hours. I moved down not knowing anyone in my class. But I knew that I would not be alone in Iowa City because of the strong presence of Herzl Camp.

As soon at I hit the scene, the Herzl staff from Iowa reached out to me:  My first Shabbat meal in Iowa City was at the Lipman’s household (Michael Lipman had been my camper when I was an Ozo and worked his first year on staff this past summer); Also former staff and camper, Caylin Braverman, sent me a message as soon as she found out I had moved to Iowa City and showed me around downtown; And I couldn’t write about Iowa City and not mention Georgia Flaum, who was incredibly welcoming too.

This last Shabbat was Yom Kippur. I went to the University of Minnesota for my undergrad and so I have only done High Holiday services at the Adath Synagogue with my family. After working at Herzl, going to Yom Kippur or Rosh Hashannah is like being back at camp. The hall is filled with campers who are ecstatic to see their former staff. My experience in Iowa was similar in that I saw Herzl campers, but this time they were more confused and surprised to see me than what would happen at Adath. Even more unusual, Herzl campers were the only people I knew!

Herzl families in Iowa City were warm and impressive. Walking out of Kol Nidre services, I was offered to go to break-fast by at least three different families. As a new comer to Iowa City, these invitations meant more to me than it probably did to the families offering them.

So what is the point of this? Herzl camp gets an overwhelming amount of their campers from Minneapolis and St. Paul. The members of the Board of Directors are all from Minnesota except for a recent member expansion to Kansas and Missouri. The administration for Herzl is based in Minneapolis. But the Herzl Community is more. The Herzl Community reaches to Kansas City, St. Louis, Omaha, and even to Iowa City [Editor's Note:  And other places too ... where are you from, reader?]. While living in Minneapolis this Community took the role of my friends, but in Iowa City this Community has taken the role of my family.

So keep in mind, parents, when you’re sending your kids to camp, (among many other things) you are helping your child build a network that spans around the Midwest Country! If you would have told my parents in 1996 that sending me to Taste of Herzl would help me build a network in Iowa City, they would’ve thought you crazy.

But that’s just what it did. This High Holiday season I didn’t spend it alone, and it was because of Herzl Camp.  Shavua Tov!

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International Wear Herzl Camp Regalia Day

September 16, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Mike Neiman

Social Media is great for all sorts of things.  And today, it was great in letting me know that apparently tomorrow is a national holiday … well, a national Herzl Camp holiday at least!  Billy Lewis (who I do not know personally, but must be a fan of camp), put together an event on Facebook to tell everyone that tomorrow is “International Wear Herzl Camp Regalia Day”.  As Billy puts it, “f you own anything Herzl or Herzl-themed, wear it this Friday. This includes: Kadimah shirts, B’yachad regalia, Ozo shirts, staff shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, etc.”

Now, I know this isn’t coming direct from camp, its board, or professional staff … but heck, I’ll take any excuse to dust off my 1995 Schmutz Buster T-shirt or ’01 Yacher scrubs.  Heck, I might throw on my ’98 Ozo shirt and ’05 Papa Neiman shirt as well.  And if I’m going that far, I may as well also dig out my Maba ’92 t-shirt with Bart Simpson on it, and make sure my Ha’atid ’99 pillow case is on my pillow.

So far 194 people plan to dress up Herzl style tomorrow, and if you hadn’t known about it yet, I hope you dig out your old regalia and join alumni all over the world to celebrate this great day.  And thanks to Billy Lewis for putting it together!  Shabbat Shalom

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Do Adults Have Ruach?

September 12, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Zack Zaban

I’m a little lost on topics to write about for my September blog post. Nothing inspirational or life changing comes to mind. All I can think about are the deadlines for my new classes at UW-Madison and figuring out a time when I can wash my gigantic pile of dirty clothes in my room.

However, I do have one burning question that you (yes, you sitting in your chair at home reading this post) may have the power to answer: Do adults have ruach? But first, let me step back a little bit and explain how this question came to be.

Earlier this week, I, like most Jews across the world, attended Rosh Hashanah services. After my first round of classes on Thursday morning, I hiked back to my apartment and took a shower/ironed my clothes for services.

One of my roommates, who is a Herzl alumnus just like me, was getting ready for classes and jumped out of the shower as I walked home. We both exchanged stories about our day and what we had to accomplish before we went to bed. In my opinion, we were both a little stressed, which is normal for college students when a new semester arises.

In some strange Herzl camp supernatural fashion, we decided to throw on some 90s pop tunes on a MacBook and dance around our apartment. We were carefree and hyper. The ability to act silly and goofy for no reason (and I’m telling you, this was a very random occurrence) helped us break free from the stress of classes and student organizations. My roommate blasted music from our days as campers (ie: Vengaboys and Backstreet Boys) plus music that we played for our campers, shaping their camp experience one beat at a time.

We eventually turned off the music and went about our normal days.

Now, I’m trying to figure out if this random pulse of ruach was normal for Herzl alumni or if my roommate and I are really strange.

Coming from an internship in Chicago this past summer, I learned that the office setting can be serious and … well, “all business” at times. I often tried to lighten the mood and be a daymaker for the other interns. Sometimes, it was simply putting a smile on my face and, at other points during the summer, it was randomly breaking out into a funny dance to make another intern laugh. I hope that these skills that I learned from Herzl will stay with me forever.

Now back to my question: will these ruach skills follow me throughout the rest of my life? Or do they have an expiration date?

This is where you, as the reader, can help me out. If you have an answer to my question, please write your own words of advice at the bottom of this page in the comment box. Maybe you have a story regarding ruach in the workplace that you’d like to share… or maybe you’re a parent who uses ruach in the house to help be a daymaker for your children.

Whatever the case or situation, I want you to share your story. Hopefully, through your comments and stories, I’ll be able to answer my question with a big fat “YES”.  Shavua Tov!

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A Mama and Papa Ozo Challenge

September 9, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Alex Locke

In trying to decide what I wanted my latest blog post to be about, I realized I like when they are interactive.  And what gets people excited…. Ozos!  And what do we all thrive on… competitions!  So… let’s all collaborate and see how well we can do.  The challenge: Let’s see how many Mama and Papa pairings we can come up with.  I will start with as many as I can name.  All you have to do is add any newer or older pairs by leaving a comment.  Good luck to all of us… cannot wait to see how many we can come up with.

1987
Paul Schraber
Rondah Mutchnik

1988
Danny Kaplan
Lauren Berman

1989
Tommy Hoffman
Randi Bernstein

1990
Barry Golob
Tzivia Stein

1991
Barry Golob
Naomi Heller

1992
Josh Sohn
Annie Fischer

1993
Matt Lipschultz
Anna Simon

1994
Adam Chall
Ann Fiterman

1995
Corey Firedman
Stacy Kaplan

1996
Jesse Simon
Hope Frisch

1997
Alex Locke (That’s me!!!)
Mira Levie

1998
Danya Kornblum
Kevin Scharfe

1999
Danny Soshnik
Robyn Friedman

2000
Aaron Cukier
Jenny Javitch

And that’s all I can do.  A pretty impressive list, if I do say so myself.  So… can you add to the list?

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“Saturdays are Boring at Home!”

August 26, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Zoe Stern

The day that camp ended for the summer I became Facebook friends with David Hope (Camp Director Anne Hope’s son.) His statuses in the days following were standard. “I miss camp:  “Saturdays are boring at home.” Some assorted “inside joke” types of comments. Basically what you would expect from a 13 year old boy who has just returned to the real world after seven wonderful weeks at Machaneh Fun.

Fast forward a few days to the day before Family Camp. David’s status reads: “Tomorrow I have to go to Family Camp.” I comment back: “GET to go to Family Camp.” Other people comment. David comments:”Family Camp isn’t that fun. It’s just a bunch of kids and grown-ups.” After this someone comments: “So which one are you?” Comments end.

David never did answer this question, no one pushed him or expected him to, and I don’t think an answer was necessary. It’s just another one off those incredible things about camp. You can be whatever you want to be. Go ahead, be the kid. Be the grownup. Be somewhere in between or be both at the same time. Change from moment to moment depending on whether you’re in the chadar or in the lake.

I have known camp longer than I have known David and longer than David’s known camp, but through his status and the comments that followed I was reminded of one of the countless reasons why camp truly is the magical place it is.

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Everything I need to know I learned at Herzl Camp

August 9, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Zoe Stern

Everything I need to know I learned at Herzl Camp…

• I learned to be yourself and always go for it!
• I learned to love thunder
• I learned you can “dance” by writing your name with your butt
• I learned who I wanted to marry
• I learned how to tolerate and accept various personalities
• I learned when you find something you love, never leave it, no matter how much people make fun of you
• I learned what the bathrooms were called
• I learned I had enough relatives to fill an entire table!
• I learned what it feels like to love
• I learned that friends made at camp last a lifetime
• I learned that camp is truly remarkable
• I learned not to put my elbows on the table and that you don’t need eyeliner at camp
• I learned what it feels like to belong somewhere
• I learned how to swim!
• I learned that “cool” is just a creation of society. In the Herzl society- the counselors create whats cool
• I learned patience
• I learned how not to be afraid of the dark
• I learned how to observe the sabbath and keep it holy

***Thank you to Joe Wolf, Jaclyn Grossfield, Papa Danny Soshnik, Yossi Kakou, Alyson Silver, Rachel Rosen, Anne Hope, Evan Stern, Johanna Stein, Flip, Josh Awend, Peter Shanedling and Benji Kaplan for their input!

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Thanks for Last Night!

June 20, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Alex Locke

Hey Anna, thanks for last night! What a blast!!!

So last night, Anna Simon invited a bunch of Herzl alumni over for a potluck, in honor of Flip Frisch and her daughter, Scout, being in town. It was SO much fun! First, as promised, I have to give a shout-out to all of those in attendance. Apparently, a lot of them read this blog, which I love. So, here is all of the people who attended:

Robyn (Friedman) Wetter, Stacy (Kaplan) and Jesse Simon, Jesse Zimmerman, Cory and Jenny Friedman, Hope (Frisch) and Jeremy Kalin, Rachel (Tolles) and Sam Rosen, Marlene and Jim Bukstein, Roni (Kornblum) and Mike Falck, Kim (Schneider) and Aaron Gelperin, Debra Fiterman and Alex Arbit, Jon Gilbert, (Jenny) Javitch, Alyssa and Barry Golob, and of course Anna Simon, Flip Frisch, Chad, and me!

My sincerest apologizes if I left anyone out or misspelled any of the names.

So, it was a great crowd. As everyone arrived, we were all catching up. Someone of us have not seen each other in MANY years… others get together on a regular basis. It was so fun schmoozing and chatting with everyone. At one point I commented on all of the occupations there… doctors, lawyers, politicians, IT professionals, camp directors, teachers, and several non-profit workers. It is so fun to see what people choose to do with their lives.

We all talked for a long time, mixing between the groups, going from one circle to the next. There was a ton of food there, though my only complaint is I wanted to know who made what. Next time everyone needs a little table-tent in front of their dish saying what it was and who made it. The curiosity of it all was too hard on me. lol

Eventually, those who were left, made our way to the grass. We sat in a circle, Flip busted out the guitar, and we had a little lights-out song session. It was great. Following that, it was time for Havdallah. Who does Havdallah every week? No one, which is why it was so nice and special. After that, we all helped clean-up and we were on our way.

Herzl is a magical place. You spend umpteen years there as a child and then as a staff member. You eventually go your separate ways, but eventually, it always brings you back together for a little potluck, song session, and Havdallah. It links you to these people forever and that is a powerful thing. On the drive home, Chad commented on how much he wishes he had something like this growing up. He cannot believe how close and tight people are, even after they have not seen each other for years. There was also a huge age range, but everyone was together as BFFs and it was so fun. Chad also commented that he wants to donate more money to Jewish camps because it gives kids who cannot afford it, the chance at a lifetime of memories. And that, is the power of Herzl Camp. Chad and I are going up for a weekend July 2-4, and I am so excited… as is he. He got his own Taste of Herzl last summer at alumni camp, but this year he will get to see camp in action. A full on, white filled, Herzl Shabbat. And while he is not a 10 year old boy, I already know that these Herzl experiences, will give Chad a lifetime of Herzl memories.

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“may we be blessed, as we go on our way”

June 15, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Bryan Grone

Many a Friday night song session came to a close with these words.  I was blessed to hear them sung by one of the most soothing voices I have heard, and ever will hear, Flip Frisch.  I was honored to be able to sing them to campers and staff for my numerous years at camp.  And I find solace in knowing the tradition of that amazing moment lives on and on in the woods of Webster. 

In writing this blog, I wanted to share how I have personally been blessed by all things “machaneh”, as I have gone on my way from the 54893.  

Music is the center of my life, and it ALL started at camp.  I was, at one point, a scared, geeky middle-school kid who “sang” Girls by the Beastie Boys at a talent show in the Ulam.  I sat in Cabin Aleph with my friends Michael Winston and Doug Baldinger, struggling to pick out my first few notes on the guitar.  And then it all began for me.  The fireplace stage in the Chadar became my training grounds.  Everything I did at camp prepared me for a life filled with music, from playing song sessions and creating music with kids, to generally increasing my comfort level of being on stage and thinking on my feet.   

Flash forward to 2010, and all of these lessons learned are helping me in my current career in music.  Though my 9-5 has me dealing with the business side of music, I spent the last year leading music for K-6th graders at Temple Israel of Hollywood on the side, thanks to a wonderful connection from Sarah (Raful) Whinston.  Though it is nothing like a rowdy mega lunch song session at camp, its still very cool for me to see kids get in a single file line, hands on each others shoulders, parading around the room singing “Bunch, Bunch, Bunch…”, or getting questions from staff on where that amazing Psycho Killer-Eretz Tzavat mash-up came from. 

Another Herzl-related blessing in my life manifests itself in my group of friends, a group spread out all across the country (not unlike all of yours), which finds itself always ready to pick back up where it left off.   We have had two very large group trips in the last 14 months, each with over 25 in attendance, and nearly all of them Herzl alumnus.  The driving force behind these trips has been to get as many of us as we could in one place to spend time with our close friend Michael Winston.  As many of you may or may not know, Michael was diagnosed with ALS (commonly known as Lou Gherig’s disease) in October of 2008.  Since that time, an amazing grassroots support system has developed in our community called Winning for Winston, a non-profit that works directly with the ALS Therapy Development Institute to help fund the search for a cure to this disease.  I’d like to take this opportunity to plug the Winning for Winston site  where we have raised over $140,000 so far!! 

So thank you, Herzl camp, for all the things you taught me, all the ways you continue to play a role in my day to day life, and for all the ways you will affect me in the future. 

“May this be our blessing, amen.”

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Herzl remembered

June 10, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Jodi Swatez Lipschultz

Some of my happiest memories happened at Herzl Camp.  Most importantly it is where I met my husband.  We passed each other in the Chadar, and then each told our friends… and the rest is history.  It is also the place where I gained my strong Jewish identity.  Living, laughing, and learning with my best friends who are still my best friends to this day, 20 some years later. I can remember raiding the kitchen, and Brandon acting mad, but ooh that raw cookie dough was GOOD.  My kids sing sitting in a speedo, with Pam Segal, who’s sisters Leslie Segal.  Getting Guido’s for snack, Lem Lem, Friday afternoon lunches, that egg salad was the best!  Singing all the Ozo songs, Kadimah when we thought we ruled the camp.  Setting up the Chadar for shabbat with the tables and benches.  Lots of fantastic memories that I hold on to dearly!!

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Herzl Footsteps follow you in Life

June 6, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

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Machane Herzl, you are so full of Shtick!

May 27, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.

By Mike Neiman

What are Herzl staff known for, greater than any other camp staff?  I know what you are thinking, “Mike, obviously Herzl is about the grilled cheese and tomato soup!” … well yes, Alan Garelick would agree with that, but its not where I’m going here.  Herzl Camp staff have thrived (thriven?) for over 60 years on one very special quality … Shtick.

You can’t really define “shtick”.  It basically is EVERYTHING we do at camp.  From our breakfast routines, to programming events, to story-telling, to flag songs, to event introductions, staff games, cheers, chugs, programs, bus rides, waving goodbye to bus rides … everything Herzl does is laced with that wonderful little sweetener … Shtick.

I never realized how big a part of our camp life it is until I spent a summer working on the east coast at a camp that “thought” they had the most creative program in the country.  Oh really?  You guys have color wars?  And you think it would be creative to announce it with a boring son at flag raising?  Wooooooooow.  Those staff thought they were the greatest creative minds on the planet.  And although my summer of ’04 was a fun time, it doesn’t hold a candle to one Shabbat at Herzl.  Just think of all the creative uniquities (yep, its a word) along that encompass 24 short hours in Webster.  From Aaron Rischall’s 2000 Ozrim “I love Shabbas” introduction at Friday lunch to the 2005 Ozrim tribal drum-beat Havdallah performance, one thing stands out every single summer… Shtick.

I love it.  Literally everything Herzl does is enhanced by our creative staff and love for shtick.  You can actually find it in every part of the daily schedule.  And don’t think that’s a bad thing!  Shtick is the heart and soul of Herzl Camp.  Its our identify, its our memories, its the tradition and passion that keeps us coming back year after year.  Think about it, every part of the day is full of  … Shtick.

(i can’t remember the actual schedule, but work with me here!)

7:30:  Creative shtick-induced wake-up from your Ozrim
7:50:  Flag raising, with (since 2005) … cabin led “shtick”
8:00:  “Hey Kadimah, today for t’fillot, we’re doing the whole service backwards!”
8:30:  Hot Ceral for breakfast?  Someone get Jesse Simon a mic…
9:20:  “For today’s Nikayon, the Rate-a-room theme is Saved by the Bell”
10:00:  Chug Aleph.  Other camps have Aerobics … Psh, Herzl has “Navy Seal Training”
11:00:  Chug Bet:  Harry Potter Chug is actually playing real-life Quiddich?  I’m going to that one!
12:30:  Lunch, this can’t possibly have shtick?  What’s that Aaron Gelperin?  “Cheese is great, I really love it, its’ yellow and orange and green…”
1:30:  Minucha.  No shtick here.  WRONG!  Tzrif 11 is reading the blueprints and working out the strategy for tonight’s kitchen raid.
2:00:  Chug Gimel.  World League of Herzl Sports, need I say more?
3:00:  Taste of Herzl is finalizing their dance moves to N’Sync’s Bye,Bye, Bye while B’yachad works on their Avodah ring
3:50:  Nosh.  Save your milk cartons, we want them for a lifesize statue of Theodore Herzl we are building in Ozo Park
4:00:  Roni (Kornblum) Falk, what’s your favorite part of camp?  Sadnaaaaaah!!!
5:00:  “Hey Tzrif 5″, “Hey What”, “Roof Ball, Tzrif Time, be there”  “We’ll School ya!”
5:50:  Flag lowering, again with (since 2005) … cabin led “shtick”
6:00:  “You spilled, you spilled, hug a pole, hug a pole”
7:00:  Ha’atid staff are busy setting up Tochnit Erev, where Nate Wohl will finally get to “wed” his secret love, Rachel Javitch.
8:00:  Tochnit Erev!  Can you name a program without shtick??  And when its over, get in a big circle and cross your arms, right over left for “Rod Hayom, Shemesh Dom…”
9:00:  Lights Out.  Tzrif 11′s Black Ops plan to infiltrate the kitchen store room is ruined by a locked door, damn.  But wait, Ozo Zander found a key someone must have left behind!
9:30:  Laila Tov to David Bender’s rendition of “Go to Bed” (sang to the tune of Semisonic’s Closing Time)

And don’t get me started on specialty days…. (sigh) I love this camp.  Shabbat Shalom!

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