Dear Theo, Thank You!
July 1, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Parents.
By Laura Silverberg
Dear Theo,
Shabbat Shalom from Davenport, IA. I haven’t written in awhile, but I visited camp last Shabbat and I thought I’d write you with an update. Rest assured, all is very well in Webster and you should be very proud…
Last Thursday, I drove the 8 hours to camp with my daughter, Madison (now 11 years old-can you believe it?) She’s been a camper for the past 3 summers and we also attended Family Camp for 2 summers (a great addition to the Herzl line up). She wanted to take this summer off, but I felt it was critical to keep the Herzl connection alive for her & who are we kidding…I DESPERATELY wanted to see all the changes since the capital campaign, so together we went for Shabbat.
I still haven’t recovered and I hope I never do!
As soon as we saw the Herzl camp sign on the highway and started down the driveway, I got that old familiar lump in my stomach which continued to rise and swell until I saw the “Welcome Home” sign and then the tears really came (Round #1). I’m sure I’m not alone when I say “Thank You”…beyond that sign, you provided me with many of my best childhood memories and experiences.
Theo, I cried a lot that weekend. I also sang, danced & cheered during Ruach sessions, and generally acted like an overstimulated Taster (despite my daughter’s pleas not to embarrass her). If I hadn’t seen the few gray hairs I’ve chosen not to color in the mirror (they now have real mirrors in the cabins and the Haks) I would not have known that I am now technically a grown up.
I could go on for days, but I want to get to Shabbat services, so let me hit the high points and tell you what you really need to know.
Anne Hope – The “new” director … wow! She’s been there for approximately 4 years. In many ways, she reminds me of Andy Halper (a great thing for me). She strolls around camp exuding groovy Hamisha love and concern. She seemed to know every campers name. I saw her on the waterfront, davening at the Mercaz, enjoying Ruach sessions, talking on the phone with campers parents, comforting a few homesick campers and inspiring staff (she’s surrounded herself with great people) all the while unobtrusively juggling a walkie-talkie and cell phone. She is on it – you should feel very comfortable with camp in her hands. She clearly loves it & takes care of it as if it were her own.
The “new camp” - Again, wow. It’s gorgeous! But the really good news is that thank G-d, it doesn’t feel at all like a new camp. I have no idea how someone experiencing it for the first time would experience it any differently than those of us from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. What I do know for sure is this: the new Chadar still rings with Ruach, but now it holds more campers, a mini marp (more on that later), bathrooms (yeah, the south Haks were soooo nasty) and guest quarters for those not wishing to experience all the bounty of Webster’s nature (mosquitos, schvitzing & communal showers … oh my). The new cabins still have Toran wheels & hold the secrets & late night giggles of all your campers. They now also hold better cubbies, sturdier bunkbeds, actual mirrors (that no one has written on yet) & screened porches for more Tzrif activities. There are also more cabins so more kids can fall in love with you & experience your magic every summer.
Ozo Park – well …this one is a bit different due to the addition of new cabins where there used to be trees. The chickens of my Ozo summer (I feel Heidi Schechter looking down and smiling) are definitely gone. But…have no fear, kids still play ultimate Frisbee, do trust games, chill, read and dream there. Despite the potentially unstable condition (making it pretty treacherous to reach the hot tub) the Ozo Mo still stands and I’ve been told it may be made into a museum in the future, as well it should be darnit! Thank G-d those walls can’t talk. Some of your finest campers crossed over into “sort of adulthood” during the summers they spent calling the Ozo Mo “home”.
Waterfront - it’s gorgeous! Thankfully, it still feels like camp. There are lots of great boats. New docks were installed this summer (beautiful, sturdy and safe), but this one sort of makes me sad. The Ozo’s installing docks in a frigid Devil’s Lake before the campers arrive is sort of a rite of passage – earning your Ozo stripes, so to speak. Too bad they’ll miss that experience. (Speaking of which, I know people were getting hurt on those darned trunks, but you can’t put stickers on duffle bags and they don’t do squat in terms of decorating your Tzrif). Sadly, Devil’s Lake has gone down a bit, but good news – more beachfront! The waterfront is also now accessible to all. Ramps have been installed and are really great. Now, everyone can experience the lake. Madison and I canoed, paddleboated and played in the lake. Did I REALLY swim across the lake during polar bear swim?? Being there with my daughter – unbelievable. I fully submersed myself 3x. Devils Lake now feels like a mikvah for my soul.
Mercaz - Teddy, it’s the same only better. Since the days I left you (physically) I’ve seen some really beautiful places and spend time in some great synagogues…but nothing compares. I’ve always truly believed that G-d hears prayers better on the Mercaz than any other place in the world. I still believe that. As a kid, I used to sit there in the sun, let my hair dry, stare off into the distance listening to the beautiful melodies of campers praying , wondering what G-d had in store for me. Would I marry – where was he – what did he look like? Would I have kids – how many – what would their names be – boys/girls – what would they be like as people? I couldn’t wait to have the answers revealed to me. Now 42, I returned to the Mercaz to sit in the sun, dry my hair, stare off into the distance listening to the beautiful melodies of campers praying & say thank you to G-d as I turn to my right and look into the beautiful face of my daughter. My husband rocks, I have 2 AMAZING kids, a great career, lifelong friends and a full life. I am happy, healthy and my life has truly been blessed – the answers have been revealed and the journey continues.
(by the way, backs on the benches make it much more comfortable to dream. (I will encourage all alumni to “buy” a bench, it’s a very spiritual way to stay connected & be part of camp forever).
Staff - the staff you continue to attract are AMAZING! Many of the last names are familiar – Herzl does tend to run in families. The young people who choose to spend their summers working as Madrichim and staff are truly special. The maturity, energy, creativity, devotion to Judaism and leadership they show is unbelievable. They truly love what they do and it shows. Not quite sure where staff goes for days off anymore, but they’ve got this new schtick called “12 Gates”. Suffice it to say, there’s still alotta love at camp and you can expect more weddings in the future.
Campers - we were at camp when the younger campers were there. It was waay cool! Many were there for the first time. It was really fun watching them learn the Herzl ways. I watched them interact with staff and learn to navigate the world a little bit on their own, sans parents, but under the ever watchful eyes of their Ozo’s and Madrichim. It reminded me of the Maba campers (remember those kids Teddy?) As I watched them play Ga-Ga, make friendship bracelets and learn that you NEVER stand up in a canoe, I wondered which ones would come to learn the secrets of the Ozo Mo, which ones would become Temple presidents, make Aliyah, or go to medical school and come back to volunteer as a camp Doctor. Regardless where they go or how they grow, I know that their lives will be better and richer because they were there. They will have more self confidence, more know how, more skill sets and be more strongly rooted in what really matters in the world because they were Herzl campers.
Shabbat - the caravan lives! Still a peaceful and enduring sight and the feeling of “home” hits you as you see all your friends in white and listen as the Sabbath queen is welcomed in true Herzl tradition. Campers still write songs to welcome her and they all still magically transform from schvitzy, lake smelling, uber-energized schmutzadik campers … to clean, mostly peaceful, smiling, precious punims within the span of about an hour. Truly 1 of your finest miracles! And don’t worry, the matzah ball soup is still good and the feeling you always got singing songs by candlelight, arm in arm with your friends is still there – magic…
Did I tell you I stayed in 1 of the old Dr’s houses with my old friend Stacy Kieffer (Mosow)? We first met in 1979 … wait, 1979? How can we be that old?? She’s now co-medical director of camp. We stayed up late, recounted many memories, happy times and truly reconnected. You’ve given the gift of true friendship to countless campers – thank you.
Oh, but what’s up with the Marp?? Almost seems like it should now be a chug-what a bummer that so many of our kids need so many meds these days.
I ended my weekend with Havdalah. The Ozo’s (amazing as always) put on a waaay cool play culminating with Havdalah…the magic … I definitely caught one of the staff members eyeing me as I wrapped my daughter in my arms and my tears fell on her head (again) as I thanked G-d and Herzl Camp when the candle was extinguished into the wine. Maybe he too was wondering what G-d had in store for him as he watched an “old Ozo” find out.
So Theo – it was great, it’s actually even better and I look forward to sending my daughter to your home on the shore’s of Devil’s Lake for a very long time. Gotta run put on my whites and take Madison to schul. You made me the committed Jew I am and you continue to do your part to ensure the future of Judaism and Israel.
Rest assured-all is right in the world.
Much love,
Laura Silverberg
’79, ’80, ’82, ’83 Kadimah, ’84, ’85 OZO, ’86 Madricha