Letter from the 1984 Israeli Scout
April 7, 2011 by Herzl Camp Admin, under General Posts, Letters from Alumni.
Dear Herzl Camp Family,
The words of the Herzl Camp song mean a lot — “Here’s to dear old Herzl, we’re so proud of you…” I realized it today more than ever. 27 years have passed, and today, as snow covers the ground, 15 degrees outside under blue skies, I came back to visit camp with my host family (my “American Parents”), Harry and Terry Cohen.
It really is unbelievable…27 years ago, in the summer of 1984, I was the Israeli scout of Herzl Camp.
It was the summer of my life! The memories are still alive, the great chance and opportunity that I had as an Israeli youth to get acquainted with Jewish American kids of my own age, to share together happy and meaningful days…Those were, and still are a crucial brick building my personality as a mature person, as a Jew, and as a patriotic Israeli.
Today, I am a 43 year old married woman, mother of 3 girls, 2 of them active in the Zofim. I’m participating in Israel in their summer camp as kind of a “Mama Ozo”, working and serving my community and country as a juvenile judge, happy and proud to share with you a small but yet a huge part in the puzzle of my life — and that piece is the summer of 1984 at Herzl Camp.
I wish you all, my beloved Harry and Terry Cohen, who will participate this summer in the K’Shishim program, their grandson Ezra who is in his 3rd year, and granddaughter Libby who will be in her first summer, all the campers, Ozrim, Madrichim, and especially the Israeli Zofim a great 2011 summer!
Just continue as you are, with the Herzl Camp spirit.
I wish you all Shalom.
Love,
Michal Kaplan Rokman