Twenty-one Jewish camp counselors meet each other at a hotel near Tel Aviv in Israel (this past January). Some know each other, others do not. Unbeknownst to ourselves, we were embarking on a crazy adventure and idea in its inaugural year. Okay, let’s be honest: we are the guinea pigs.
The Nachshon Project is a pluralistic, Jewish fellowship program that recruits camp counselors that are juniors in college from all denominations of Judaism in North America. In short, the program introduces individuals to the possibility of working as a Jewish professional. The first part of the program takes place for approximately 18 months (6 of which were spent in Jerusalem). Fellows meet by webinar before the Israel semester, run camp projects about Israel during the summer, and commit to running programs on their home college campus’s during the following academic year. There is an additional graduate school and professional fellowship opportunity that is reserved for members of the Nachshon cohorts.
Rewind to last summer. One of the directors came to camp and held meetings about the program. Although I could not attend one of the meetings, I was able to have a short one-on-one conversation with the director about the program. When I was presented the program, it was almost too good to be true: subsidized tuition for Israel, scholarships, reunion seminars, camp people? How could I not even try?
Over my six months in Israel, I learned an immeasurably immense amount. I learned about Israel, Judaism, myself, and the world around me. I am excited to return to camp with fine-tuned skills for my job as a unit head this summer, programs about Israel for staff, and an exciting new bedtime story program from our youngest campers. Additionally, with improved Hebrew and knowledge of Israel, I am excited to meet and learn from our fantastic schlichim (Israeli counselors) this summer.
As I look back on my time in Israel while sipping a cup of Earl Grey tea in the Chadar Ochel this morning before most of the staff is awake, I can pin point one moment of visceral connectivity to Israel. On Yom Hazikaron, Remembrance Day, a group of fellows traveled to Har Hertzl. Never before while being in Jerusalem did I see as many people flocking to one place. The day earlier we had the honor of spending time with the Levin family who lost their son Michael, who was serving as a Lone Soldier in the Israeli Defense Force. At Har Hertzl, thousands pairs their respects to Michael and all the soldiers buried there. When the siren went off and there after the Mourner’s Kaddish was recited, it was the first time in my life that I felt the unity of the Jewish People in my body and in my soul.
As we get ready to open our arms to our campers this summer, I endeavor to provide a loving, nurturing and open community for everyone to explore their multitude of identities, Jewish and otherwise.
By Rose Levenson