From the Desk of Jennifer Lorch Selco | Sr. Director of Jewish Living + Engagement

Shabbat Shalom
Shabbat Shalom

From the Desk of Jennifer Lorch Selco | Sr. Director of Jewish Living + Engagement

In this week’s Torah portion, BaMidbar (Hebrew for “in the wilderness”), God instructs Moses to take a census of all the Israelite men over a certain age, Moses recounts the Levite men, and then God gives rules for the Levites with regard to the Tent of Meeting (a special place where God and Moses met each day). This is not first time of a census in the Torah, in fact, it’s at least the third time. What’s with all of the counting?

 

There is a beautiful teaching in Midrash Bamidbar Rabbah that describes a man who has all his favorite treasures in a beautiful box. He loves them so much that he opens the box repeatedly just to take out his treasures, examine them, and count them again and again to make sure that they are all there. So, too, does the Eternal count and recount those that are dear and treasured. 

 

Jewish tradition teaches us that we stood at Sinai together for the moment of revelation. “You stand this day, all of you, before the Eternal your God—your tribal heads, your elders and your officials, every householder in Israel, your children, your wives, even the stranger within your camp, from woodchopper to water drawer— to enter into the covenant of the Eternal your God…I make this covenant…not with you alone, but both with those who are standing here with us this day before the Eternal our God and with those who are not with us here this day. (Deuteronomy 29:9-14)”

 

Here at the J, everyone belongs and some join. We see each person as an individual who brings unique value to the community. And we recognize and value the idea of a collective, global Jewish Peoplehood. What does it mean to you to carry a unique identity that is very much a part of a collective People? 

 

Curious to unpack more about what it means to be part of a People? Join us on Sunday, June 1st for Proudly Jewish Together: A Community Shavuot Experience and stay for the concluding session beginning at 11pm, One Jewish People.

 

Shabbat Shalom and wishing you an early Chag Shavuot Sameach!

Is there a better way to make the journey toward the holiday of Shavuot — to Sinai — than the joyful gathering of over 300 campers starting their first week of Camp J and embarking on a summer full of learning and growing together? Just as Bamidbar marks a new chapter in our people’s collective story, so too does summer at the J, and just as each Israelite was counted in the wilderness, we are reminded that it is the unique gifts of each camper, counselor, and family that come together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. We’d also be remiss not to express gratitude to our entire community for sharing our space so kids in our camp programs can feel right at home — thank you for embracing the extra bustle in the hallways and the excited shrieks, laughter and songs that echo from every corner. We hope the joy of camp extends to everyone! 

 

This week in camp, we introduced Ofir and Itay, our Israeli shlichim (emissaries), to their very first summer at Camp J. Ofir is the Tikkun Olam specialist this year, imparting the value of “healing the world” through a variety of activities; in keeping with the Camp J Virtue of the Week, campers in Tikkun Olam focused on Hachnasat Orchim (welcoming others) with a story about Abraham and Sarah and a fun game involving chocolate! Itay is bringing his knowledge of sports as the Athletics specialist — this week campers played dodge ball and learned the Hebrew word for it: Mahanaim. In addition to old favorites like Why Things Fly with Bob, Art with Lee, and Cooking with Morgan, we’re excited to offer new options this year like Tae Kwondo with Patrick, Magic with Mr. B, Wilderness with James, and more!

Our littlest campers in the ECE units, Yeladim (children) and Chaverim (friends), especially enjoyed their time at the pool. Among a variety of field trips including Top Golf and Lucky Strike Bowling, and an overnight last night at the J, middle schoolers in Tiyul (trip) also spent time nurturing their creativity with a paper mache project in the art studio!

 

In Disability Program Services camp, both middle schoolers in our Gesher (bridge)unit and high schoolers in Summer Taglit (discovery) enjoyed time cooling off in the pool every day, and got a little messy with an Elephant Toothpaste science experiment. Venturing off campus, Gesher joined Tiyul campers on trips to Top Golf and Lucky Strike Bowling; Summer Taglit also went bowling and had a blast at Dave + Busters! 

 

Camp came together this morning to celebrate the first camp Shabbat of summer — and with counselor Tyler on the guitar, the whole group was movin’ and groovin’ before an all camp Hamotzi and Kiddush. 

 

It was truly a week to remember but the best part is that a whole summer of memory-making lies ahead! Whether you’re a camp family, or here to continue your wellness routine this season, the Tucson J is so glad you’re part of our community. Let’s make this Shabbat an extra restful and restorative one — we’ll be back next week with so much more fun! 

Reminders, Resources + Learning

Each week we share resources for more learning:

This week’s resources: 

Last week’s resources: 

Is there a topic you’d like to learn more about? Email Jenn Selco with requests.