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May 11, 2012 by Herzl Camp Admin, under General Posts, Letters from Staff, Music, Shabbat.
By: Flip Frisch, 2012 Shira Coach
I’m so old school that I still think recordings of song session are a novelty. In my day, once those songs were played and the lights went back on, they were over for good. A sweet but vague memory filed away with all the other ones from your shabbat, your summer, your childhood. Now with the press of a button you can bring back each song, exactly as it sounded at that point in time. Last summer as I sat with some campers eating their last breakfast before getting on the bus for home, Andrew Grone put on a “Leaving on a Jet Plane” compilation. He smiled at me and said that one track might sound familiar. Soon we were listening to a version of the song Bryan Grone and I recorded in that very spot nine years earlier. It was amazing. It was weird.
Thanks to modern technology, you can plan a summer from different places around the world. Louie Sloven, Yonatan Dotan and I recently had a meeting via 3-way Skype call. The hardest part was trying to schedule it for our three time-zones. Yonatan and I are so excited for the summer, we’ve been emailing each other songs since last August.
So we decided to take it one step further. What if we recorded a song together, 6000 miles apart?
First, using a laptop, Yonatan recorded himself singing and playing piano in Jerusalem. He may or may not have climbed through a window to reach the piano…I’ll never tell. Then he emailed tracks to me, and I took them to my brother’s house in Portland, Oregon (Tom Frisch, Kadimah ‘89). In his basement recording studio we played around with the tracks, added guitar and then more vocals. Thanks to a little studio magic we were able to make it sound (almost exactly) like we were playing together. When Yonatan wrote back to say he liked it, he was already in India. Now we’ve sent it to Anna Simon in Minneapolis, and you’re reading this wherever you are. The whole process took 4 days.
Simply by sending bits of information across the world we were able to be together, in song.
So light some candles, sit across from someone you like, and click here to listen to our version of Debbie Friedman’s z”l: T’filat Haderech. Wherever you find yourself tonight, see if you can meet us in the Chadar one last time.
Shabbat Shalom.
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Photo Albums and Film Cameras…a Blast from Herzl’s Past
April 12, 2012 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Benefits of Summer Camp, Letters from Alumni, What I Learned from Camp.
By: Neer Lect, Tripper 1999
The evening before Passover, I sat in my house in Tel Mond, Israel, with my pregnant wife and our “soon-to-be” thinking about Herzl Camp. Camp has a constant presence in my life lately.
My parents did a Pre-Passover clean-up and found my old camp photo albums. The (film) camera I used to take those photos was purchased in a second-hand shop in the Twin Cities while I was on a day off with Yoav, the Israeli Scout. We had to borrow Flip Frisch’s Volkswagen Jetta for our day off because, naturally, we did not have a car at camp. I still own the camera today. Remarkably, it’s still working and in use, though it’s getting harder and harder to find film for it and places to develop it.
Going through the photos, I discovered I still remember some of the faces as well as the names attached to them. I had to use those pictures to try to explain Herzl Camp to my wife.
“This one is from the Kadimah canoe trip…that one from Friday evening…the other one is the first picture taken after Havdallah (because you don’t take pictures on Shabbat… )”
What made me write this post in the first place was a two-fold memory. One was President Obama referring to “matzo-ball soup” in his Passover address. The other one is a spinoff on that, and it’s something I read a while back about Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s former Chief of Staff (and current mayor of Chicago) going to Jewish summer camp as a child.
So, what did Herzl Camp do for me? As a one-time experience, it was a profound one. As a lesson for life, it was the realization that Judaism can be practiced in more than one way and that Jews all over the world have a lot in common. And, that for me, being a Jew comes so naturally that I’m not even thinking about it, but for other Jews who live in the Diaspora it may not be that easy.
I would like to wish you all Chag Pesach Sameach, a Happy and Kosher Passover. And to remind you that there is always a home for you here, in case you deem it fit to come.
!חג שמח ופסח כשר
Neer (far, wherever you are) Lect – Ben Ami
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Two Miles North of Webster, Turn Right onto “Memory Lane”
March 2, 2012 by Herzl Camp Admin, under General Posts, Herzl History, Letters from Alumni, Music.
By: Flip Frisch
Editor’s Note: Flip will be back at camp once again this summer in the role of Shira “Coach” where she will share her talents (and beautiful voice) with the staff and campers.
I have a terrible memory. I constantly forget song lyrics*, people’s names, where I put my keys. But there are songs, no matter how many times I hear them, that trigger memories and transport me back in time with astonishing ease.
Sometimes a song will elicit a general nostalgia, but other songs trigger very specific memories. There is a melody of Adon Olam I heard as a child at Beth El Synagogue, for example, that to this day still brings back the taste of sponge cake and faintly, somewhere across the room, the smell of pickled herring.
The songs I sing each night to help my daughter fall asleep are mostly songs I learned or sang at Herzl. It’s like I have a standing lights out gig, minus the milk crate and candle. One of her favorites is Dona Dona. I’ve probably sung that song a million times, yet whenever I sing “they laugh with all their might; laugh and laugh the whole day through and half the summer’s night” I’m hurrying back to my cabin after song session, past the tetherball court, avoiding the big puddle. I can also hear voices of other kids leaving the old chadar, and the door nearest the kitchen slamming again and again. Why am I hurrying? Because I’m afraid of “Shabbos kisses.” Boys are gross; I am ten years old.
Another song my daughter falls asleep to is “Where have all the Flowers Gone?” to which my memory traces the walk from flag circle to Mercaz: the slight bottleneck where the road passes between the drainage ditch and cabin 20. Ozrim passing out packets. The gnats mostly left behind.
Debbie Friedman’s Shema V’Ahavta, though I’ve sung it in many other places, nevertheless puts me right back on a Mercaz bench, Friday night. The sun twinkles off tiny waves on the lake. Somewhere nearby sits a boy I have a crush on but who will never know. I make a smooth flat spot in the sand with my sandal.
Cat Stevens’ “Moonshadow” takes me to Kadimah play practice. Our feet have kicked up Ulam dust and I have to sneeze. Someone is yelling at us, not for the first time, you guys, stop talking. I feel I’ve been waiting my whole life to be in Kadimah and can’t believe it’s finally here.
“American Pie” reminds me of our Kadimah canoe trip. “Brass Monkey” brings back faces of the ‘93 Deavers who I lived with that summer. “These Are The Days” reminds me of Havdallah when the ’93 Ozrim fell backward into the shallows of the lake. Anything Steve Miller reminds me of shower parties in the north haks. And don’t even get me started on my shoebox full of mix tapes. A few notes of “I Melt With You” and I’m back in the Ulam for another final banquet. I’m happy, I’m sad. Nothing will ever be the same after tomorrow morning.
So many songs trigger flag song memories that my non-camp friends must think I know alternative lyrics to every song, ever. Billy Joel’s “For The Longest Time” becomes “O O Z O (Good Shabbos) Ozrim ‘89.” “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” now contains the line “A chicken breast, a caravan, a chicken breast, a caravan.” And who could forget John Mellencamp’s “Herzl Good”? Not me, it seems.
A counselor from a summer I lived in cabin 9 played a cassette of the Carpenters every night. I not only remember the feeling of drifting to sleep in a top bunk after having spent a whole day playing and a whole evening giggling, but also listening to those same bittersweet songs on an old record player in my high school library a few years later. Huge green plastic and rubber headphones keeping out the pressures of school while I try to go back in my mind to those happier camp times. Rainy days and Mondays, indeed.
“Mitachat Lashamayim” reminds me of singing with Bryan Grone, “Love The One You’re With” – Aaron Gelperin. And although last summer seems too recent for real nostalgia, I can’t hear “Sounds of Silence” without remembering Bobby Lewis; “Here Comes The Sun” is now forever linked to Yonatan Dotan.
It’s not just music. The fragrance of certain toothpastes elicits memories of the old central haks. Anna Simon recently mentioned the old, smelly tablecloths we used in the old chadar. And just like that, I am right back there again, rolling a red and white checked piece of vinyl onto a PVC tube that hangs on the wall between the chadar and chadar bet. We’ve had pepper steak for dinner. Today, though I approach middle-age, I still get teary whenever I smell diesel exhaust from a bus.
And wherever I am, if I turn from pavement onto a dirt road and hear gravel crunch beneath the tires, I get butterflies. I hear faint strains of “The Herzl Song”. I am home again for another summer.
*Keep me cockatoos cool, Cal, keep me cockatoos cool. um…don’t, um, overchlorinate the pool? Cal, just keep me cockatoos cool. All together now!
"Here's to Dear Old Herzl..."
Shabbat Shalom.
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The Ultimate Song Session Setlist
March 24, 2011 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Top 10 Lists.
By: Aiden Pink
One of my most cherished memories in my years at Herzl Camp was getting to play piano and sing “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” during Song Session on my last Ozo Shabbat. This is dear to my heart not only because I’m a total ham who loves performing in front of people, but also because Song Session is by far the best part about Herzl, no matter what the Herzl Magic Bracket might say. It has everything that makes Herzl great – continuity with the past, deft mixing of Jewish and secular content, incredibly gifted campers and staff, and little campers sitting a bit too close to fire.
I’ve been lucky enough to have been at Machaneh Herzl through the tenure of six immensely talented Roshei Shira – Flip Frisch, Bryan Grone, Noah Sugarman, Dan “Gordo” Goldschmidt, Jonah Chilton, and Bobby Lewis. Each of them has introduced amazing songs – and in a few cases, wrote new Shironim. So I attempted to the ultimate setlist for Friday Night Song Session, one that would mix Hebrew and English, and older classics with contemporary hits. Bear in mind that my first year of camp was 2001, so I’m not aware of some songs people might have sang back in the day. Also, I’m pretty sure my list would make the lengthiest Song Session ever, but I had an incredibly difficult time cutting it down. I really have a new appreciation for the work that goes into essentially creating a concert every week. Anyway, without further ado, here are my choices.
- “Mitachat Lashamayim” by David Broza. A good, solid pick to start the Song Session, with an added bonus of being easily mashup-able. By the way, look up the English translation to the lyrics; you’ll be surprised to find out that all this time you’ve essentially been singing the Hebrew version of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On.”
- “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor. One of my favorites, for no other reason than substituting “Moses” for “Jesus” in the third verse.
- “Waste” by Phish. This one’s not in the book, although for the life of me I can’t understand why. Great guitar solo.
- “Sabbath Prayer” from Fiddler on the Roof. A great duet, and those minor chords are very poignant. This is the second-best song from the best musical ever (the best is “If I Were a Rich Man,” obviously, but that wouldn’t really work on Friday night).
- “Simple Twist of Fate” by Bob Dylan. Yes, I know there are more popular songs by Bobby Z in the canon, but I’m picking this precisely because it’s one of his lesser-known songs. I remember seeing it in the old blue Shironim, but I can’t remember anyone ever playing it. Help me out, alums. I’m really curious: Was it ever sung? Did it sound OK? Any effort to expose campers to obscure Dylan tracks is fine by me.
- “Al Kol Eileh” by Naomi Shemer. Does anyone know why people go “Pshhhhhh” during the chorus? For those who don’t know, the Official Herzl Version™ of this song now has people clapping their hands in air and making a noise like a waterfall. I’ve always wondered who the first guy to do that was. Did everyone at his table give him dirty looks, or think he was crazy? I guess it’s one of those Herzl shticky things.
- “Falling Slowly” by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. To the best of my knowledge, this has never actually been sung on Friday night. I think that’s a shame. If there’s one Oscar-winning Irish duet about boats that needs to be sung in the Chadar, it’s this one.
- “Ani V’Ata” by Arik Einstein. By the way, it’s about at this point that the Tasters are asleep.
- “Gravity” by John Mayer. This was probably the coolest single song I’ve ever heard at Song Session, sung by Bobby Lewis and Jonathan Alter with dueling guitars on the first Shabbat of 2010. People were snapping so loud at the end of the song, I thought the roof was leaking.
- “In My Life” by the Beatles. This beautiful song about appreciating friends and memories is incredibly meaningful when being sung to campers and staff who don’t see many of their friends 10 months out of the year. I know it gets me every time.
- “The Circle Game” by Joni Mitchell. This narrowly beats out “Cat’s in the Cradle” to win the “song about growing up way to fast” slot, only because the last verse of “Cat’s in the Cradle” is incredibly depressing, and “The Circle Game” ends on a much more hopeful note. Seriously, I don’t want to leave the Chadar ruminating on parental failure – it’s a total downer.
- “Leaving on a Jet Plane” by John Denver. Yes, I’m assuming that this is the last Shabbat of the summer. Make sure you have a box of Kleenex handy.
- “Tfilat HaDerech” by Debbie Friedman. Really, is there any other choice?
Kadimah, stick around for Israeli dancing. Everyone else, back to your tzrifim. What songs would you put on your ultimate Shabbat setlist?
Shabbat Shalom!
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Fermish me I’m Jewish!
March 17, 2011 by Herzl Camp Admin, under General Posts.
By Mike Neiman
It has pained me for years that my favorite gentile holiday cannot be combined with my favorite Judaic institution. Sure, as Herzl staff, we were able to uberprogram around such awesome holidays like Tisha B’av and the occasional Shavuot … but we have missed out on a grand opportunity since Jewish Camp’s earliest establishment.
Summer camp is … well, during the summer. Ok, so maybe Herzl rents out its facility to youth groups on the occasional weekend during the year, and that weekend may occasionally overlap on a secular or Christian holiday. I’m no mathematician but, it doesn’t take a former 6th grade math teacher like Yamit Tarragon to know the odds are low that one of these holidays would occur on a Saturday so as to enjoy the whole day’s festivities during a Shabbaton. I guess St. Patrick’s Day was just never meant to be celebrated in true Herzl Camp style.
…UNTIL NOW!
I have started the preparations early because I was bored at work today and DID do the math. Actually, the math was pretty simple: this year St. Pats is on Thursday and next year is a leap year. Therefore, I would like to invite all my fellow Alumni to join me next spring up at Herzl for a Shabbat weekend where we can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in true Herzl fashion on Saturday March 17th, 2012.
The planning committee is still working out the details, but below is a tentative schedule.
Friday:
Planning in progress by Mark Warren, please email all suggestions to him.
Saturday:
9:00am Aruchat Boker: Brandon Tagg to toast up delicious Green Bagels from Brueggers
09:30am Shabbat Services led by visiting Rabbi Zalman Shimon Lent of the Duplin Hebrew Congregation
11:00pm Morning Rotations: Learn Gaelic with Alan Garelick, Foreign Cussing with Asaf Bitton, Limericks and Laughs with Rachel Javitch. On the waterfront – Loch Ness Monster Watching with Loren Mintz and Tye-Dying Devil’s Lake Green with Jessica Treinish.
1:00pm Aruchat Tzohoraym: Flip Frisch is joined by Saints and Tzadiks to lead a ruach song session complete with “Danny Boy Leonard”, “Whiskey You’re the Devil’s Lake”, “Rocky Road to Kadimahland”, and “Theodore I Hardly Knew Ye”
2:30pm Minucha … need our rest for the night’s festivities
3:30pm Afternoon Rotations: Beer Tasting with Zander Abrams … oh let’s be honest, we are all going to that one.
5:00pm Sadnah with Roni Kornblum Falk
6:00pm Aruchat Erev: Corned Beef and Cabbage, with a Chinuch lesson from Sam Usem on the Judaic-American influence to switch from Bacon to Corned Beef for this traditional Irish meal. (p.s. It’s true).
7:00pm Evening Program: Riverdance with Andrew Zidel
9:00pm Laila Tov and Staff Meeting
Sunday:
Planning in progress by Nicole Rabinowitz, please email all suggestions to her.
Thank you and have a safe and enjoyable St. Patrick’s Day.
Hag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom!
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How Being a Counselor at Herzl Has Helped Me As A Parent
March 6, 2011 by Herzl Camp Admin, under General Posts, Letters from Alumni.
By Robyn Badiner Bedil
It’s been 11 years since I’ve been on staff at Herzl (when did I get so old!), but those experiences continue to impact on my life on a daily basis. I like to think that I still possess many of the traits that made me the fun-loving, ruach intense counselor that I was back then, but life certainly has changed. Instead of residing in a simple wood cabin with 10+ girls in Webster, Wisconsin, I now live in the suburbs of New York with my husband, my almost 3-year old daughter Emma and we will welcome baby boy into our family this coming May. On the surface, the two situations seem quite different, but I have found that my days of being a counselor at Herzl have helped me tremendously as a parent. It seems like I get a new Facebook message every day about somebody that I was an ozo or on staff with in the late 90s that has become a mom or dad and I wanted to share a few of the lessons that I learned as a Herzl staff member have shaped me as a parent.
Always be ready to go with energy and excitement (even when you may not feel like it)
I never got enough sleep as a Herzl staff member. I remember the dreadful feeling of having your alarm go off at [7am] after only turning out the lights a few hours earlier. It was a challenge to pry open your eyes, let alone think about the campers that were waiting on the other side of the paper thin wall for you to jump start their day. But to those campers, they couldn’t wait to see what amazing thing you had in store for them. It didn’t matter how you felt, you had to get out there and be fabulous. Being a parent feels exactly the same way. When I hear Emma’s footsteps next to my bed at 6am on a Saturday morning (and no – there are no cinnamon rolls waiting downstairs for me), my first thought of “just five more minutes” is quickly taken over by my desire to get up, put on a big smile, and get the day going with excitement and energy.
Instill a love and excitement for Judaism as part of everyday life
One of the most important long-term takeaways from Herzl camp is an appreciation for Judaism. Because Judaism is key part of everyday life at camp, I clearly remember the Jewish songs, traditions, and prayers that I learned and lived at Herzl, but if you ask me to remember anything from my years at hebrew school, I’m at a loss. I am hopeful that establishing traditions and proactively living a Jewish life will instill this same appreciation in my children. Ever since Emma was born, my husband and I have made a concerted effort to have a Shabbat dinner every Friday night. We’re both working parents so our Shabbat dinner deviates from the traditional Matzah ball soup, chicken and potatoes that we all grew to love at Herzl (instead it usually consists of pizza, candles, grape juice, and Challah), but its a special time for us to be together, to think about the week, and to say the blessings. I love that Emma now leads us in the prayers over the candles and Challah. In fact, she has been known to get a bit confused sometimes and start reciting the blessing over the Shabbat candles at birthday parties when a big cake with candles comes out.
Feel free to be silly and re-experience being a kid
Where in the world (besides Herzl) can a person act like a total nut (think Chartreuse Buzzards, Chugim Follies, or almost any ruach session) and be admired for it? The best counselors at Herzl were the ones who got involved in whatever it was that the campers were doing – not the ones that sat on the sidelines during chugim or Tzrif time. The key to having fun as a staff member was to throw yourself into the activities and to act like a kid yourself. One of the best aspects of being a parent is getting to re-experience some of the joys of childhood. Becoming engaged and acting like a kid allows you to have a lot of fun yourself. I’m not one of the mommies that sits on the park bench talking on her cell phone while the kids are playing. Instead, you will find me playing with the kids … going down the slide, running up and down the fields, and singing all of the silly songs. (Note – I understand that in a few years Emma will find this behavior very un-cool so I don’t plan to do this forever).
Sing the Shem’a Before Bedtime
As a camper, I had the pleasure of having Flip Frisch as my Maba counselor before her rise to ruach leader stardom. That meant that every night was a lights out song session with the master and we all loved hearing her sing the Shem’a to us before peacefully falling asleep. Although I don’t have Flip’s voice, I always sang the Shem’a to my campers before heading out for the night and I know that years later, many of them still remember those moments. When I became a parent, I decided to incorporate this tradition into our family and from the day that Emma was born, she has heard the soothing words and beautiful melody of the Shem’a before going to sleep. She now loves to sing the Shem’a with me and it is a beautiful bedtime ritual that I hope will stay with us for many many years.
As a counselor at Herzl, you needed to adapt your style as the summer progressed because the needs of the youngest campers in the 1st session were quite different from those of the teenagers that filled the camp during 3rd session. In the same way, each year of parenting brings new challenges but I know that my Herzl experiences will continue to help me grow and evolve as a parent. I look forward to a day not too far in the future when Emma will be a Herzl camper and begin to experience some of this magic for herself (thanks to her Auntie Alisa “Weesie” Badiner, Emma already now knows the Herzl song by heart).
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What a Difference a Decade (or Two) Makes
March 3, 2011 by Herzl Camp Admin, under General Posts, Letters from Staff, Where Are They Now.
By: Anna “Neener” Simon and Flip “Flip” Frisch
Ghostwriter: Stacy (Kaplan) Simon
Editor’s Note: Anna Simon and Flip Frisch became friends in the mid-’80s when they discovered they were the only girls their age who actually wore their tie-dye shirts at home. If you don’t know the names of these legends of legends, you were either born in the 1960s or earlier, or the 1990s or later. That, or you need to lay off the lem-lem.
Anna was a longtime camper, Ozo, Staff Member, Mama Ozo, Head Counselor (thrice, I believe), and as of recently, a full time staff member for Herzl. Her last summer at camp was 1997, as Camp Director. In short, there aren’t many people with a stronger tie to camp than Anna.
Flip was at camp for 19 summers. From Amanutie Cutie, to her most prominent role as Song Director, nobody had a bigger impact on camp for the last quarter of its existence than Flip. Her last summer was in 2002 as Teva Director.
When 20 and 30 somethings think of Camp, they invariably picture Flip on her guitar Friday Night. If you ask Flip about her most memorable time at camp, she’ll tell you that it was when she was live-in for the best N’Divim Group in the history of camp (1993).
Stacy the ghostwriter was Mama Ozo for the finest Ozo Group in the history of camp. She and her husband Jesse met at camp and have three future Chartreuse Buzzards.
This summer, along with Anna’s son Zach and Flip’s daughter Scout, they will both return to camp – Anna will be in charge of Community Relations, and Flip will serve as a Scholar-in-Residence. They hope to bunk together. If Anna requests Zach and Flip, Flip requests Anna and Scout, and Scout requests Flip and Zach, do you think they’ll end up in the same cabin?
When we compare their conversations from the last time these two worked at camp together to today, it might sound like this:
Anna then: “If we both bring up 4 white outfits for Shabbat, we can switch sometime during the summer and then we won’t ever have to wear the same thing twice.”
Anna now: “No one will notice if I wear the same outfit every Shabbat, right?
_______________
Anna then: “I’m tired, but I don’t want to go to sleep and miss anything.”
Flip then: “Can’t we just sleep when camp is over?”
Anna now: “I’m tired. Let’s go to sleep.”
Flip now: “Let’s just try to stay awake until 8 this time, okay?”
_______________
Flip then: “Marlene and Shelley are fun, but they’re so old! They’ve got to be at least, what, 30?
Flip now: “Hi, new Shelley.”
Anna now: “Hi, new Marlene.”
_______________
Flip then: “Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow, don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”
Flip now: “Go ahead and walk in front of me. I have no idea where this caravan is supposed to go.”
_______________
Anna now: “Hey, the new doctor is my old camper!”
_______________
Flip then: “Can I borrow your boom box to use during our flag song?”
Flip now: “Can I borrow Zach’s old high chair for Scout to use at camp?”
_______________
Anna then: “Cabin 9 is so great – it’s small and cozy, and just 88 steps from the Central Haks. You can sleep late and run to flag-raising just in time for Oh Canada.”
Anna now: “Whoa.”
_______________
Flip then: “I wonder if I should use Sun-In to make my hair look cool.”
Flip now: “I wonder if I should wash that grey right out of my hair.”
_______________
Anna then: “I hope there’s a cute boy in Amanut!”
Anna now: “Boy, it’s cute how Zach enjoys Amanut.”
_______________
Flip then: “Let’s swim the lake! Let’s see who can jump farther off the floating dock! Let’s try the new rock climbing wall and then ride our bikes around in the woods!”
Flip now: “Ow. My back.”
_______________
Anna then: “I cannot believe we get to spend another summer together at Camp! It’s the best place on the planet! Let’s sign up to sit together for Shabbat. And go star gazing! And eat grilled cheese and tomato soup! Oh, and just so you know, I’m going to go to great lengths to avoid taking the swim test.”
Flip then: “I know. And I don’t ever want to grow up and leave camp and have to get a real job.”
Anna now: “Some things never change.”
_______________
Flip’s packing list then:
baby bottle for Kool-Aid
flashlight
baby oil
two-piece bathing suit
alarm clock
shorts I can wear on a bike
book of favorite poems and quotes
Flip’s packing list now:
baby bottle for actual baby
nightlight
SPF 30
skirted bathing suit
two year-old
shorts i can wear in a golfcart
goodnight moon
Editor’s Note: For those who read the blog who are lucky enough to be at camp this summer, make it a point to introduce yourselves to these old ladies. I hope I’m going to that one!
Shabbat Shalom!
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Horseback Riding Chug? Flip’s Going to That One!
December 30, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.
By Flip Frisch
When I was 12, I loved two things most of all: horses and Herzl Camp. And then a great miracle happened – for two glorious summers during the mid-1980’s, Herzl offered a horseback riding chug. When I learned this would happen I nearly, uh, plotzed in my pants. That two of my favorite things in the world were colliding was almost too much to bear. Had I been allowed to bring my cat to camp with me, I might have never left.
What’s that? You never knew Herzl briefly had horses? Well, their corral was located in the spot where the new tennis courts are. New tennis courts? Oh, right. The old tennis courts are where the new chadar is now. New chadar? Yeah. The old chadar is…well you get the picture.
The corral was surrounded by an electrified fence. Thanks to my childish curiosity, I learned that summer what it feels like when you touch an electrified fence. (Answer: Not good.)
The horses drank water in a trough made from an old rowboat, which Dave Burland had likely hauled there on his back. I once saw him transport a picnic table that way and it nearly blew my wimpy little mind; I still had trouble managing cups of silverware on a toran tray.
Anyway, I have virtually no memories of those summers except my time with the horses. In fact, I even took more pictures of the horses than of my own friends. After they were developed, I carefully wrote their names on the back of each horse’s photo and hung them on my wall. (See above.)
It was on horseback that I learned my way around the trails in the woods – how the Marp was mysteriously connected to the sports field by a sandy trail between the pines. One day we rode into a wide sunny field covered in purple flowers that became my secret favorite spot in camp. I used to visit there as often as I could over the years, and even imagined myself back there at stressful times during the school year. Sadly, now it’s a golf course, though that field lives on in my memory. But those horseback expeditions into the woods helped shape my love for the outdoors and led me, ultimately, to Teva Trek.
I understand now why it couldn’t last though, that marvelous combination of horses and Herzl. There was, first of all, the insurance problem. And I realize now there was also an elitism problem: the unfairness of having a special chug you could only join if your parents paid extra. Though I’ll forever be grateful that mine were willing to.
But one lingering memory of that summer is the night I woke up to the unmistakable sound of hooves rumbling past our cabin. First I though it was a dream. Actually, first I thought it was the imaginary unicorn I’d invented to keep me company when I was lonely during my first summer at Herzl, which is something I have never before admitted out loud to anyone. But then I realized that the horses had somehow gotten out and were running through camp in the middle of the night. Maybe they were playing “Escape to Israel!” Maybe they were raiding another corral of horses somewhere, bearing a crate of chocolate milk!
The next morning we heard that they had broken through the electrified fence, but that some staff members had “rounded them up.” As an adult, I now suppose that the horses got scared and tired and probably wandered back to where they knew they could find food, shelter and the company of other horses. Not to mention the finest drinking rowboat in Webster. But at the time, and for a number of years, I always imagined that a few enterprising counselors had jumped on the remaining horses (and maybe even on Dave Burland’s legendary seat-less bike) and galloped through camp, gathering up the stragglers with whirling lassos.
That I’d assumed skinny, nearsighted counselors from Golden Valley knew how to handle runaway horses is testament to my belief that there was nothing the Herzl staff couldn’t do. But what really happened that night is a mystery that was not solved for me, even after I became a staff member myself. If any of you reading this were out there that night, maybe you can tell me what happened.
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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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Herzl Magic Bracket: The Winner!
October 25, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Uncategorized.
By Danny Soshnik
Was there ever any doubt? In a landslide finale to a wonderful tournament, Friday Night Song Session is the champion of the Herzl Magic Bracket Championship.
Let’s see how it got here. The #1 seed in the Vanegba region, the Song Session got off to a fast start against #16 Intimidating Kitchen Staff. Brandon was simply no match for Flip.
The second round pitted the Song Session against #8 The Birthday Song. Herzl’s birthday song is unique, no question. But how could the singing of just one song beat out the weekly singing of many. This mismatch is as bad as comparing University of Wisconsin to Michigan academically. It’s just not close. [Editor's Note: Oh snap!]
The Song Session caught a break when #12 Chugim Follies and Policy Schtick pulled a major upset over #4 Slow Flag Songs on Final Shabbat. I thought that tear jerker of a tradition could have made a deep run, but, alas it was no match-up for the Oompa Loompas.
The road to the Final Four was really easy, as the biggest Cinderella in the entire tournament, #15 pooping in South Haks upset #6 Kadimah Play in the Sweet 16. Poop’s run was fun, but Song Session really wasn’t tested all the way into the final four.
In the Elite Eight, Song Session caught yet another break when #3 Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup upset #1 World League. I was shocked by this outcome, as grilled cheese is available everywhere. But majority ruled, and the Cheese, Glorious Cheese advanced.
In the match-up against Grilled Cheese, Song Session had its first true test. But Song Session was too powerful and advanced to the finals.
The finals, which pitted Bikkurim against Song Session was not even close. I think there were 12 votes, 11 of which were for Song Session. Had #1 Caravan beaten #2 Bikkurim, the finals may have been a lot closer. It would have been a match-up of Shabbat against Shabbat.
To me, this tournament was very interesting, and I liked reading the perspectives offered in the comments. Multigenerational responses allowed me to learn the Bikkurim used to be 3 days, and in the end, we saw what people really love about Herzl Camp.
So, thank you for humoring me for the last 8 or so months – it’s been a good run. Now I’m going to have to actually think of something creative to write in future blog posts.
Congratulations to the Champion of all Herzl – the Friday Night Song Session. I hope to see you at a Friday Night Song Session at Machaneh Herzl soon.
[Editor's Note: Please all join me in thanking Danny for an INCREDIBLY Herzl Magic Bracket countdown! It only took 9 months, but what an incredible amount of creativity and schticky fun that could come from one of Herzl Camp's greatest legends!]
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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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“Dear 2010 Herzl Staff”
June 17, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Summer Updates.
A parody letter By Anna Simon
Dear 2010 Herzl Staff,
Is there something wrong with your phones? Did you, perhaps, change your number? I have left several messages with Drea Lear over the past few weeks to see if I could find out the name of Z’s Taste counselor and have not heard a thing. You know, I was a Taste counselor once and I think that earns me the right to know who will be taking care of my son this week. I’m sure it’s not a big deal for you guys to tell me. I promise I won’t tell anyone else. I tried to ask Sarah Gruesner and Steven Kane at the buses but they would not spill the beans….Don’t they know who I am?
I didn’t really read through the Camper Information Packet, so I hope it’s ok that I packed a few extra things in Z’s metal trunk. I threw in a large portable boom box, a few water balloons, candles and matches, a toaster, some silly string, fireworks, homemade cookies and laser pointers. I just think those items will really enhance camp for Z and his friends. I’m quite sure that the 2010 Ozrim had no problem carrying his trunk as they looked like a really strong and capable group. I just know that Z’s bunkmates are going to love having a toaster in their cabin so they can have a late night snack.
After the buses left on Monday, I raced home to check the web site and was disappointed that I didn’t see any pictures of the campers uploaded IMMEDIATELY. I check the web site every hour and think you need to take more pictures of Z in general. On that note, could you ask him to put on a different shirt and comb his hair when you take the next picture? He seems to always be wearing that same shirt and he’s not always looking directly at the camera. If you could just help him pose, that would be great. Speaking of the buses, what was up with the rain? Someone promised me that IT NEVER RAINS AT HERZL CAMP. I would expect that the director, Anne Hope, could do something about that. I plan on calling Lauren (Berman) Kaplan and Sue (Waldman) Roether next week to discuss the terrible weather.
I also left several messages for Dr. Hope Frisch in the Marp to find out if Z got any ticks or mosquito bites. Why hasn’t she returned my calls? I’m sure she has a moment to invite Z to the Marp and count his bug bites for me. I doubt she’s very busy this week.
I’d like to request that Z gets moved out of his cabin and into another one. I realize he only has a few days left but I think his experience will be better if gets to make some more new friends. Actually, maybe you could just have Z call me as I really miss hearing his voice. Plus, I’d like to let him know that I sent him a care package of his Uncle Jesse Simon’s Hot Cereal.
I’m going to stop by camp on Shabbat because Flip Frisch and I will be in the neighborhood. I hope that’s ok. I’m sure it won’t disrupt camp at all and it won’t make other campers miss their families. While we’re there, I’d like to make sure Z gets a Shmutz Buster t-shirt. I promised him he’d get a shirt if he picked up garbage in front of Zander Abrams and I don’t want him to be disappointed.
By the way, when we were at Family Camp last summer, Z lost a white sock. Could you please look for it? If you can’t find it, I’d like a credit to Z’s chanut account.
Shabbat Shalom Everyone! Oh, I forgot to mention that we didn’t pack anything white. He doesn’t really have to wear white, does he?
Anna
P.S. To anyone reading this who thinks I am serious…you must be a first-time Herzl parent! Your children are in excellent hands because the Herzl Camp staff members are incredibly capable, energetic, creative, hard working, caring and responsible. I am envious of any kid who gets to go to camp with these Herzl staff members. Herzl is the one place on earth where kids can be themselves, connect with others, try something new, step outside their comfort zone and celebrate every little thing they do. Yes, I cried when the buses pulled out of the parking lot (good thing it was heavy dewing so it wasn’t so obvious) but not because I was sad to see Z go. I cried because I was completely overcome with emotion just knowing what Z was about to experience. His life will be forever changed BECAUSE OF CAMP. Thank you, Anne Hope and the Herzl Staff, for taking care of my kid this week (yep, I’m crying again).
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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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Everything I Learned in Life, I Learned at Herzl Camp
April 29, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under What I Learned from Camp.
By The Brothers Puchtel
Part 5
“On the Caravan”
So there we were; me, the guy with the guitar, the girl with the guitar, 20 Herzl guests, Steve Mintz, Minced Meat, Anne Hope, Hope Floats, Bruce Golob, Anna Simon, Jesse Simon, Josh Simon, Simon says, Simon & Garfunkel, Simon Cowell, Nina Simone, Timone and Pumba, Rosemary, Jesse Zimmerman, Robert Zimmerman, Brandon Tagg, Mark “the Dink” Dinken, Bender’s tongue, Zach Freeman, Morgan Freeman, Morgan Fairchild, Mogane David, David and Goliath, Salt & Pepper, TLC, the Torah, and Bryan Grone. (#81, it was an awesome caravan.) Only 1 minute until launch, and Max hadn’t even gotten out of the shower yet. (#82, caravans always form last minute) I shouted towards Max’s room in the new Chadar, “Max, we’re leaving, afo ata?” (#83, Herzl builds Hebrew vocabulary) He shouted back, “Don’t wait for me, I’ll be there, trust me!” (#84 I’ve learned over time to trust this phrase, though it usually means Max is up to something)
We had no choice but to start. I knew the caravan rules, if you hadn’t joined by Tzrif 1, you couldn’t join at all! (#85, if you don’t join the caravan by Tzrif 1, you can’t join at all!) I looked back at the Chadar and out of the corner of my eye saw Max crawling out of his window, and onto the roof. Dressed in whites, and running full speed in Birkenstocks, he took off. (#86, Max has a knack for dramatic rooftop entrances (see Buzzards circa 2000)) (#87, for most this would equal death) A quick kick off of a tree then the climbing wall, and Max was in line a solid 10 feet before we hit Tzrif 1.
“Nice of you to join us Max,” I said casually. “You know me, never missed a caravan, not about to start.” I had to admit, it was a really impressive jump, but now he really smelled just awful. (#88, when you sweat before the caravan, you smell for the rest of the night) With that, Max administered a loving bear hug in hopes that some of my cologne would rub off. (#89, share and share alike) Because I love him, I allowed him to rub under my armpit, and we were on our way…
Passing Tzrif 1 fully entangled and in harmonic unison, I looked around the sea of white and was reminded why I love camp so much. (#90, I love camp so much) From Bim Bom to Shabbat Shalom to Kumbaya to One Tin Soldier, the songs emitted never-ending love as the caravan continued to grow. It seemed as though time, for a moment, was actually suspended within this tiny wooded clearing in Webster Wisconsin. (#91, scientists have concluded that the Herzl Shabbos Caravan does indeed affect the space-time continuum) Now a giant white entourage, we scooped up the last cabins, catching smiles and laughs as we approached the flag circle.
At last, it was time to unveil the flag songs which we had all worked on so vigorously for the half hour before we showered. (#92, all great flag songs are concocted in 1 hour or less) A beautiful creature emerged from the crowd, guitar in hand, harmonica in mouth. (#93, Aaron Gelperin cleans ups well) Goosebumps were stapled to my body as each group eternally solidified their camp experiences of the past week with love, music and humor. (#94, I still have all of my song sheets) (#95, Special shout out to Flip and Melanie Muscoplat, I loved when you guys would sing at camp, seriously, it made my experience, thank you)
Trying to hold back the emotion stemming from recalling Melanie’s version of the Sh’ma (#96, if you never heard this, you never really went to camp), I wrote onward…wow, does anyone have a tissue? Whew, deep breathe, ok I’m fine…(#95, sweet camp memories tend to make me ferklempted (#97, spell check had no suggestions for this word, but you get it, Yiddish, Mike Myers, etc…))
But I digress…where were we now? Ah yes, the caravan. The songs are done, the flags are down, and food awaits us all in the Chadar, where fancy dining tables are dressed to their best. The caravan now evolves from line to wave, as it rolls towards Shabbos dinner. There will be many more caravans before the night is through, some consisting of 4, 3 or as little as 2. No event at camp quite matches the mystique and allure of the caravan; let this be a lesson for all time. (#98, THE SHABBAS QUEEN, SHE LIKES IT CLEAN … and white.)
(#99, the best caravans are the ones that take place after dinner. Drunk with life from the song session, there are few feelings on earth that match being arm in arm, yad b’yad, singing about peace, unison, and love. If it were possible to capture this feeling and deliver it across the world, there would be no war).
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“Raise your hand if this is your 19th summer at Herzl Camp”
April 15, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.
By Flip Frisch
If you remember me from Herzl Camp, it’s because you knew me in the later years, when I was a staff member. I worked at Herzl for 13 summers, and before that, I was a camper for 6 years. If you remember me from Herzl Camp, you’d remember that I loved it, deeply. Its name is in my heart, its fields are in my memory, to quote the Hebrew part of the Herzl song. If you remember me from Herzl Camp, you’d know that when I was there I felt truly happy, that it was there I’d found my voice. That I probably laughed more in the few short weeks a year I spent at Herzl than during the rest of the year put together. But let me tell you something: if you remember me from Herzl Camp, you must not have known me during my first summer.
Let’s just say it took me a little while to warm to Herzl, and that little while turned out to be an entire session of MABA, 1982.
I had just turned 10, and I was lured to camp by my cousin’s intriguing stories from her previous summer as a camper. “An Ozo? What’s that?” I asked.
“Youuuuuu’ll see!” she said.
I remember being nervous on the bus ride, anxious as we pulled onto the crunchy gravel road, and overwhelmed by those parallel rows of counselors singing and clapping. I think I ducked and ran through, hiding behind my carry-on. Moments later I was utterly terrified in that deafening Ulam when it occurred to me I might not hear my name called and could end up left all alone in that huge hall, forgotten and embarrassed.
Thankfully, that didn’t happen. But then I remember shivering in the cold lake until it was my turn to swim from one dock to the other for the swim test. I must have opened my eyes underwater and got freaked out, because I was put in “instructional swim.” Years later, this chug would be renamed “the Herzl Swim Team” in an effort to spare the feelings of the unfortunate “blue” swimmers. But these weren’t such gentle times.
I remember being convinced boys were looking through holes in the (old) central haks walls. Just in case I was right, I showered with my bathing suit on, for three weeks. My mom reminds me that when I came home, you could still quite clearly read the word “DIAL” on my bar of soap. If the mean girls from our cabin called me “Stinky,” it was probably not hyperbole. I’m just grateful that nickname didn’t stick.
I skinned my knee during “Capture the Flag.” I took “Escape to Israel” way too seriously; one of the “guards” asked to see my papers and I burst into tears. There were the aforementioned mean girls in our cabin. I didn’t. Like. The food. It rained on our overnight and my sleeping bag got soaked.
To my horror, and not until we were already walking in my first Shabbat caravan, someone behind me laughed and pointed out that you could plainly see the floral pattern of my underpants through my Shabbat whites. Later that evening I also discovered just how badly French dressing could stain, when it landed in my lap.
Those three weeks were not without their bright spots though. I remember laughing and running away from boys yelling “Shabbas kisses!” in the dark after Shabbat dinner. We played mud soccer when it heavy dewed. My cousin and I interviewed the bellybutton of the waterfront director for the MABA newspaper, and asked such intrepid questions as “Do you like to swim?” (Answer: Yes!) Our cabin got raided. We went on a night swim. I learned to harmonize Birkat Hamazon. And toward the end of the session, a boy from soccer chug asked me to Final Banquet. We sat next to each other at final banquet and didn’t talk, and then we sat next to each other at the talent show and didn’t talk.
But maybe the most significant bright (sort of) moment happened on the second-to-last day of the summer. I met a girl who was as miserable as me. We bonded. I know it sounds ridiculous, but with that sudden camaraderie, that incredible sense that a stranger could suddenly become a friend, a light turned on for me. I finally understood that what made camp so great was possibility, was opportunity, was making new friends. And it’s true that misery loved company that day, because we agreed to come back the next summer and bunk together. And the rest, as they say, is Herzl history. Shabbat Shalom!
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NEWSFLASH: Herzl Alumn Sends Son to Camp!
January 28, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Parents.
By Anna Simon
Ok, I realize that there is nothing new and exciting about Herzl Camp alumni sending their children to camp for the first time. This has been going on for years. For more on this topic, read Andy Halper’s blog entry about a girl named Sue (Waldman) Roether [Editor's Note: Or stay tuned for a special guest entry this Sunday...]. I guess it was just a really big moment for me when I registered Z for Taste of Herzl this year. I actually got choked up when I hit the send button. It was such a weird feeling. I wasn’t sad that he was going to be gone for an entire week because I knew I could deal with that. I wasn’t scared about sending him someplace new because we have spent the last two summers at Herzl Family Camp. I was just so overwhelmed with emotion knowing that he will be able to experience something that had such a deep, meaningful and lifelong impact on me. Even though he won’t find my name etched on a wall anywhere, hopefully, he’ll feel my ruach and spirit within camp.
As a former Herzl camper and staff, I hoped Z would WANT to go to Herzl. But, I was cautious about how much I suggested or pushed it. We all want our kids to enjoy the same wonderful opportunities we had when we were young. And, so often we hear about the how Jewish summer camp was one of the most profound experiences of their youth when adults are surveyed. But, you can’t force your child to want to do the same things you did as a kid. And you definitely can’t make them like those things.
That’s where Family Camp comes in. I’m grateful that we had the opportunity to attend it twice (and we’ll definitely be there again in August). Of course, from a selfish standpoint, I wanted to be in the one place in the world where I feel totally free, relaxed and safe. But, I also wanted Z to experience a little bit of the magic of Machaneh Paradise. Plus, the idea of sharing a cabin with Ann (Fiterman) Miller and her son made it even more appealing! We had other friends join us too…friends who did not attend Herzl and wanted to “taste” it before sending their own children. Family Camp was as much of an introduction to Herzl for Z and his friends as it was an opportunity for all of us to begin to let go of the reigns and let them discover camp on their own. As the kids became more comfortable in their surroundings, the parents relaxed a bit and let them run around with friends and the staff. At some point during that first summer, Z turned to me and asked if he could be a camper.
There are so many things I want to tell Z about camp, but I’m holding back. I want him to bring home his own unique and personal experiences. When that bus pulls into the parking lot in June after Taste, I will be anxiously waiting to give lots of hugs and kisses and then sit back to listen to everything that he has to say about camp. Maybe he will give me a list of what he learned at camp. More likely, he’ll share stories and sing the 2010 Ozo Song. It won’t be until much later in life that he will realize what he really learned from being at Herzl.
So, my camp friends, here are just a few things I learned from being at Camp:
- It is possible to be responsible and have ruach all at the same time as demonstrated by Danny Soshnik
- When it rains, go puddle jumping. Sometime during the mid-1980’s, during the all-camp color war, called Bikkurim, it started to pour (um, I mean Heavy Dew as it really never rains at Herzl Camp) just before the camp relay began. Staff could have just moved everyone inside to play rainy day games but they did not. Instead, they started an all-out mud-puddle-jumping extravaganza complete with shaving cream. It was the greatest day ever. I have since learned that in every bad situation or rainy day you can truly find a ray of sunshine.
- Attitude is everything and it is highly contagious
- Nothing compares to having Shabbat services outdoors
- Tan is not the same as white
- Grilled cheese together and tomato soup – what more do I need to say?
- Stepping back to understand the big picture is important
- Being with family at camp is precious, truly…especially when your brother, Jesse, is the co-director (with Beth Shapiro) of Nilakot and gives you a pair of funky, granola pants (yep, I still have mine)
- Community is crucial
- The Northview Drive Inn has the best blueberry shakes…ever
- Toran wheels are really beneficial
- Having a colleague at work as cool as Matt Lipschultz, Tommy Hoffman, Adam Chall and Marcy Simon just makes the job better
- Camp is a frame of mind
- It’s ok to laugh at yourself every once in a while
- If you are wearing a tie dye shirt you are on the tie dye team
- Spotting a bald eagle soaring in the sky is a gift from G-d
- Little things do count and should be celebrated
- Every time I read the word Bikkurim or announcements, I have to sing the songs that go with them
- Treat the earth with respect and keep it clean, even if you don’t get a t-shirt for doing it
- 12 Gates is funny even if you have no idea what they are singing about
- Never mess with Jesse Zimmerman or Ben Gray at camp…ever
- You can lose gracefully
- Flip Frisch’s voice makes me think of and feel Shabbos at camp
- Nicknames stick even after camp
- It’s not ok to jump on a table and yell loudly when there is a bat flying around in the (old) chadar, Barry Golob
- It is ok and highly encouraged to put potato chips on your sandwiches…thank you Stacy (Kaplan) Simon
- Talent shows are awesome
- Singing and dancing during breakfast is a fantastic way to get your day started
- That it is ok for Debbie Minkin or anyone else to break into song or dance at a moment’s notice
- You absolutely MUST sing the Herzl song every time you drive into camp
- Gaga is just plain fun…for everyone
- Flag songs are funny any time
- You have a lot to learn from people both older and younger then yourself
- Eating a freeze pop can make even the smallest bump or bruise feel better
- The Herzl Camp staff and Ozrim are some of the hardest working folks in the universe
- Once a camp friend, always a friend
- There is magic at Herzl
And, finally, here are a few things that Z would like to learn while at Taste this summer (in his own words):
- To canoe by myself
- To be ok with being away from my parents for a long time
- To walk around without getting pine needles in my sandals
- To make a 6-string lanyard
- Make new friends
Shabbat Shalom Everyone!
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Top 10 Herzl Camp Program Sessions
January 7, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Top 10 Lists.
By Michael Neiman
Herzl Camp is no youngster. For over 60 years, Devil’s Lake and Webster, Wisconsin have been a summertime home for Jewish people all over country. The programming is top-quality, the staff are incredible, the food is … well, its camp’s food and over time you learn to crave it. However, one of the unique things that Herzl does quietly from year to year, is evaluate the success of their programs and what can be improved for future summers. As a Business Consultant, I applaud Herzl Camp’s administration over thee years in their attempts to revamp camp programs and provide fresh and exciting opportunities to kids year after year. The age of “machane” being the only program you attend for 6 years is long gone, replaced with specialized and creative programs catered to the current trends and needs of new generations.
To honor the years and pay tribute to the best programs of the past and present, I give you my Top 10 list of Herzl Program Sessions. I realize the pool to choose from was not all-inclusive, as my time at Herzl didn’t start until 1992, but I hope you enjoy and welcome additonal “honorable mentions”:
10. Tzofim. Kudos to Erin Cohen and Skyler Werde for taking 120 campers camping and Horseback riding at once. Tzofim took over where Etgar and Nisiya failed, buy providing something unique yet broad for incoming 7th and 8th graders. Tzofim has changed a bit since 2005, but the problem of how to provide the best program for bar-mitzvah aged kids seems to have been answered for now.
9. K’shishim. I only have to wait 50 years and then I can be a camper again? Sign me up!
8. Etgar. The first year they offered this program for incoming 8th graders, it was directed by Aaron Cukier and Ricky Ofstein. Need I say more?
7. B’yachad. I wasn’t in B’yachad, but I was always their “eat-in” staff member. Each year, the oldest campers at camp prove their heart and soul and dedication to Theo by giving back to camp and giving back to the community. To be honest though, the best part of B’yachad is the ongoing ending to its song. This summer will be the 21st session of B’yachad … do they still sing out all the original endings back to 1995′s “Do that do that, do that do that, do that do that, until it diiiiiiies out!”
6. Maba. Fifteen years later, and I was still able to get a cabin of hungry campers to sing the Maba theme song during lunch one day. Sure this program included programming from the Talmud Torah’s play-book, but there is a dedication to this program that no one can explain. And the song will forever live on… Maba’im, Kadimah Maba’im. Hey Hey!
5. Kadimah. Another long-lasting program at camp, incoming 9th graders learn to bond together as one group for the first time at camp. Canoe trips, musical renditions, planning their first Shabbat … these are just a few of the great activities this growing tight-knit group of campers get to experience together.
4. N’divim. They were the first B’yachad. Incoming 10th graders spent 6 weeks building things around camp, sporting their baby blue scrubs, and singing one of the best program songs ever written. Not sure who we have to thank for it, but I always loved the opening line … “We are the N’divim, a part of Herzl’s dream!” (having never been a Diver, I never knew the rest of it…)
3. Teva Trek - Thank you Flip Frisch and Aaron Gelperin for creating an INCREDIBLE new twist on true “camping” at Herzl Camp. A more outdoor educational based program with true camping, hiking, backpacking, white-water rafting, cooking outside and more. When I created the Teen Leadership Camp at Capital Camps (my mysterious summer away from Herzl), I mirrored it off this program because of how jealous I was of the kids who got to be a camper on it back home. It’s never had huge numbers, but 10 years later it is still an option for incoming 10th/11th graders at camp.
2. Taste of Herzl. I’ve said for years, I’ll say it again. Taste is the BEST program to be assigned as a counselor. Adorable great kids who are away at camp for the first time. It was only a week long, but nothing beats having to physically feed, dress and bath your campers as if they were your own children. Emotions run high from the campers, but I bet most beg to come back the second they get home.
1. Ozrim. The oldest remaining program to date at camp. It started out as more of a manual labor group than CIT program, but the years have done this program well. Each summer, campers dream and pray for their chance to be picked as an Ozo, and each summer a solid group of Ozrim learn and grow to a point which would rival actual staff of most summer camps across the nation.
Honorable Mentions:
- Nisiya - any program that makes kids do a death-march through downtown Siren in 90 degree weather deserves mention.
- Nilakot - It never found a way to compete with N’divim/B’yachad, but providing the extra opportunity for campers in 9th/10th grade to be at Herzl camp is a must.
- Ha’atid - The future! It came, it left, it came back again. Ha’atid was the first attempt to revolutionize the “Machane” years at camp into a solid program.
- Chalutzim/Noar - I don’t know enough about these programs, but I know they are doing well and have changed what Ha’atid used to be into a solid opportunity for young campers to experience camp differently each year and have an identify to a program earlier than Kadimah.
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Alumni Camp Flag Song
August 28, 2009 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.
By Danny Soshnik
To the tune of “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel
Harry & Rose Rosenthal, they’re the ones to start it all,
Herzl camp at White Bear Lake, livin’ Theo’s dream.
Then the move to Devil’s Lake, cabins covered in orange paint,
60 years of history, about which we’ll sing.
Dylan Bob, Maba, Bikkurim, Bruce Golob,
Roof Ball, The new Beit Chai, Rosemary will never die.
Chartreuse Buzzards, Kuntzing, Schwartzy stacked his World League Team,
Bryan Greenberg, Golda Meir, Peanut butter on Eskimo Pies
CHORUS:
Living the dream with Theo,
We are always yearning, hoping we’re returning.
Living the dream with Theo,
It’s been such a pleasure, memories we treasure.
Kadimahniks, N’divim, Bogrim and K’shishim
Brandon’s kitchen, Swimmers itching, turning back the clocks.
Schmutz Busters, Chanut, Puddle Jumping, Forkman
Drive In, Bakfar, Pooping in South Haks.
Mercaz, Ner Howie, Deavers passing LGT,
Butt Olympics, Airport Van, Klugman’s Forty, Caravan
Bakfar, Anouncements, Drama Games, Buddy Checks,
12 Gates, Ozo Plays, Heavy dew it never rains.
CHORUS:
Living the dream with Theo,
We are always yearning, hoping we’re returning.
Living the dream with Theo,
It’s been such a pleasure, memories we treasure.
Swim the Lake, Rick Recht, Shower buckets, Teva Trek
Anne Hope, Starry nights, Don’t forget your Shabbos Whites
Hack n Sack, Kundra, Who took down the tetherball?
Avodah, Shabbas Queen, Speed letters we always read
Chugim Follies, Flip Frisch, Intersession, Ultimate
Bikkurim, Staff Mo, CSRs are no-nos
Ga Ga, Ha’Atid, Overnights, and T’Filim
Barry Golob, Ozo Zoe, Steve Mintz plays the bongo.
CHORUS:
Living the dream with Theo,
We are always yearning, hoping we’re returning
Living the dream with Theo,
It’s been such a pleasure, memories we treasure.
Rate a Room, Tzrif Time, Tasters in the Beit Tarbut,
Aaron, Gelprin’s, Cheese Song is amazing.
Grilled cheese and tomato soup, Courtesy flush when you poop,
Shabbat, Sichot, I’m going to that one.
Schmear Snacks, Buddy Tags, Torans use the dirty rags,
Visitor’s Day, Oy Vey, Ozos still do not get paid.
CHORUS:
Living the dream with Theo,
We are always yearning, hoping we’re returning
Living the dream with Theo,
It’s been such a pleasure, memories we treasure.
Alumni Camp, Herzl camp, good to be back again,
Been too long, We’re 50 strong, Reliving, Theo’s Dream
Old friends, new friends, dressed in white, reminiscing funny times
Walking through the Caravan, Singing laughing hand in hand.
Shabbat Shalom, Herzl Style, Matzo Balls, Candle light
Singing songs, B’yachad, swaying, Yad B’Yad
Lots of good times are in store, Only two days, wished for more
Us and Theo, what a team, If you will it it is no dream.
CHORUS:
Living the dream with Theo,
But when we are gone, Theo’s dream lives on, and on, and on, and on…
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I LOVE Herzl Camp
June 26, 2009 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.
By Danny Soshnik
It will come as no surprise to those of you who know me that I think about Herzl Camp a lot. By a lot, I mean every day. It seems the further I get from my time at camp – it’s been 10 years since I was on staff – the more I miss it.
Why? My longtime Herzl Heroes are old enough to have kids of their own at camp now. All of my friends who went there with me are long since gone. Even the youngest of Tasters who were there my final summers have moved through the ranks of campers, graduated to staff, Hanhalla, and moved on. It is truly a different era at camp. Yet I find myself longing to be at camp now more than ever. I love looking at the online pictures from the summer Herzl’s website. It may seem crazy to look at a bunch of pictures of kids I don’t know. But, when I look at the unfamiliar faces playing out the same roles I once played, it’s like looking into my own past. Take a simple picture of kids singing in the Chadar. I can practically hear the words of “Miriam’s Song” or “Master of all Things” through my computer screen. I can almost feel the sweat of the floor of the old Chadar beneath my feet on a hot summer day. I can feel the energy when I look at the picture of the kids pulling the tug o war rope as their Madrichim scream at them to pull harder. When I see the kids getting ready for caravan, I think of all the funny flag songs from my era. I still know most of the words to many of them.
There is a certain happiness I get by looking at pictures from today’s camp and knowing that it is, for the most part, exactly like it was when I was there. Invariably, some traditions have changed at camp. Chiri Bim Chiri Baum has long since been retired. “Round the Table you Must Go” got canned for “You Spilled, Hug a Poll”. N’divim and Maba? Gone. Nilakot? Gone and back again. The buzzards fell victim to the Avian Bird Flu. For every crazy Matt Lipshultz, there has been a Puchtel behind him. For every wise Herzl sage like Barry Golob, there’s a Zoe Stern or a Yoda. For every Flip, well, I can’t imagine a replacement.
Though I’m sure they get by. I’m sure most traditions live on, largely as I remember them. 12 Gates has to be the longest running story told in the history of mankind. World League of Herzl Sports, named for the defunct football league shown on the USA Network 18 years ago, continues to be the most popular Chug. Ultimate Frisbee still establishes supremacy. The Kadimah Wall will always be the objective benchmark for the group’s teamwork and collective athleticism. Looking at current pictures of camp gives me peace in knowing that Herzl Camp continues to provide today’s campers and staff with the same life atmosphere which had such a profound impact on my life.
I will be at Herzl Alumni Camp August 7 – August 9. I hope kids older than me are there to show me the way Herzl was before my time. I love Herzl History. And I hope the younger kids are there to show me how Herzl has taken the gifts my generation bestowed upon camp and improved upon them. I hope you’ll be there too – not as a board member, parent, visitor, staff member, or camper. But as an Alumni Camper, reliving camp exactly as you remember and love it. Reliving the Dream. I’m pretty sure that if you challenge me to a wild and crazy game of Hack ‘n’ Sack, that I’ll school ya.
I have no idea what the words are to the “Announcements” song, but you can bet that if you say the magic word, I’ll be the first one up to through your tuchus into the lake. And although I have never met her, I call shotgun in Pam Siegal’s Buick Regal Saturday night. See you in August. Shabbat Shalom!