Modeh Ani L'fanecha

Each morning as we wake, we are taught to thank God for restoring our souls to us with the words:

 מודה אני לפניך מלך חי וקים שהחזרתי בי נשמתי בחמלה רבה אמונתיך

I am grateful to You, living enduring Ruler, for restoring my soul to me in compassion. 

You are faithful beyond measure. (translation based on Siddur Sim Shalom)

Recently, I was walking around camp early in the morning and the time to arouse the campers arrived. As I walked by a bunk, I heard an 18 year-old counselor waking his boys by singing these words.  I paused for a moment to listen to him and was washed over with my own sense of awe and gratitude. I was in awe of this counselor who clearly understands that his job as a dugma (personal example) begins at the moment the children wake-up. I was in awe of the experience for these 10 & 11 year old boys, who experience Jewish tradition as a natural and integrated part of their daily life while they are at camp. I was in awe of watching the system "work."  And I was grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the experience.

Once again this summer, I find that the opportunity to spend a month at Camp Ramah New England "restores my soul."  During the month that I spend at camp, I am privileged to witness multiple moments of the system working on a daily basis. It can be a counselor using prayer to wake up their cabin, or a Machon (entering 10th grade) camper spending free time with their Ilanot (entering 4th or 5th grade) buddy, or watching the kavod (honor) that campers and staff show to campers in the Tikvah (special needs) program, or seeing the care that the kitchen staff shows to ensure that every child's food needs are met.  These micro-moments - which happen so frequently here - help create the magic of camp and inspire my own sense of gratitude.

I am grateful to Ohr Kodesh Congregation for recognizing the value that my time at camp has for me personally and professionally. I am grateful to Camp Ramah New England for the opportunity to work here and be a part of the community.  I am grateful to my children for allowing me to "invade" their space. I am grateful to the campers, counselors, specialists and staff who constitute this amazing community. 

Later in the week, I found myself walking by the bunks again, this time in the evening around bedtime. And sure enough, as I walked by this same bunk, I heard this same counselor singing the bedtime Sh'ma to his bunk. As I paused to listen once again, I truly felt the words Modeh Ani - thank you God for restoring my soul each summer as I witness the magic of camp.

Enjoy pictures below from the Ohr Kodesh Ice Cream party from yesterday, Yom Foam, and other pictures around camp over the past week!