by Rabbi David Freelund, faculty member

Think for a moment of the latest piece of news you heard today. Was it about someone acting rudely and outrageously? Was there a mean tweet involved? These are symptoms of what it means to be an American in 2017 as we race to an ever-lower common denominator in our national discourse. There is another way, enlightened by Jewish tradition and taking root amongst our future leaders at URJ Crane Lake Camp right now.

Our first week of camp began with a declaration that at Crane Lake this summer we would be emphasizing a culture of kindness at every level. From our camp leaders all the way to the newest campers, we are exploring the myriad of ways that our actions can bring about a kinder world. The Talmud (Yevamot 79a) teaches us that one of the defining characteristics of the people of Israel is that we are gomlei chasadim, doers of kind deeds. At Crane Lake we are teaching our campers that our Jewish values and behaviors matter every day, especially when we can act them with purpose.

Our 2017 Cornerstone Fellows created a superhero, the Keeper of Kindness, to embody Chesed the Jewish value of kindness. The Keeper of Kindness is making weekly video appearances to inspire our campers to do likewise. Imagine if every superhero was known as an exemplar of kindness! This is the magic of Jewish camp in action.

Crane Lakers are learning to be inclusive of others in all their activities. They are learning to reach out with their helping hands before they are asked. They are learning the power of a kind word at the right time. They are learning that chesed, kindness, doesn’t just happen, but it needs to be fed and watered to grow and take root. At Crane Lake the culture is growing and becoming a part of our campers. Living in the “Crane Lake Bubble” for the weeks of camp, we are immune to the distractions of the outside world. In the Bubble, kindness rules and we model a better, more Jewish way of interacting with each other. Chesed is more than a word or a simple deed, it is a way of life of Crane Lake Camp.

David Freelund is the rabbi of the Cape Cod Synagogue in Hyannis, MA, where he lives with his wife, Bettina and three children.  He has proudly served on the faculty of Crane Lake Camp for eleven years.