When you ask me how it is to be an Israeli at CLC, I think first about how it is to be here for me. I think about all the great and special activities I get to do here, most of them for the first time in my life, like ropes, speed boating, and American football (which is very hard!). I think about the amazing area I live in – up high in the Berkshires and the beautiful sunsets over the lake. I think about the people I get to spend my summer – my Mishlachat friends, my co-counselors and my campers. I wouldn’t change anything!

Most importantly, I think about how I feel at CLC – being a part of a community was a bit overwhelming in the beginning. I didn’t know the songs or the prayers and everyone kept talking about Maccabia and Fight song and all I could do was nod my head and wait for those events.

Every day during staff week, I started to understand more and more with the help of those around me. Now I feel like I have been here for years.

The fact I came from Israel doesn’t make me a better counselor, but it does make me a more motivated one. Motivated to leave my mark here. Not only on the kids whom I hope will want to come to Israel, but also on staff.

I found the people outside of Israel don’t know some things but they really want to learn more. Out of the blue I found myself talking about Tel-Aviv and how Israel is not full of camels. Who knows, maybe I was even able to change someone’s opinion on Israel. The fact that I come from Israel also made camp leave a bigger mark on me because camp’s environment was so new to me and because I learned so many new things about Judaism and myself.

All I can say is that I’m having a great summer and I am looking forward to people telling me when they are coming to Tel-Aviv.

By Barak, Ziv-el, General Counselor