Dear Friends,
He was overwhelmed with emotions as his eyes welled up with tears and he just couldn't bring himself to say goodbye.
It was a young camper who was on his last day of Camp Gan Israel who wasn't able to join us for the following weeks, who was just so sad that it was all over for him, for this year.
This the level of connection that the children feel with the amazing experience of Camp Gan Israel.
They may be scoring goals in the game, braiding Challah's, performing shows, biking for miles, going on special trips, swimming, learning, praying, visiting nursing homes or so many of other other activities in the camp, but overall they are not only having such an energetic, meaningful and fun filled summer, they are also solidifying their own identity in such a fun and nurturing environment.
These children embody the future, the youthful energy who will yet chart their own individual journey's in life, and play a crucial role in their own story and the story of the Jewish people and humanity that is yet to be told.
So while up to 4 Billion people may end up watching the World Cup this season an enjoying the joys of this sport that unites so many, the ultimate match is the one that is taking place in the hearts of each and every individual, community and society, as we seek to block an incoming goal, pass the ball to our teamates, make sure we have a good defense, and hopefully work together to score yet another goal.
Sometimes we will take a hit, the stadium will roar, people will scream and yell around the world, maybe some will cheer and some will even boo, but the game must go on, as we seek to make a comeback and march on to victory. At times it may even seem all is lost, and then a different roar of joy will blast around the world, as when all seems impossible, we manage to make a comeback of another kind.
Indeed it is the story of life, and it is also the story of the 42 journeys of the Jewish people in the desert described in the Torah in this week's portion. Sometimes they make progress forward, then sometimes they fail and go a few steps backwards, sometimes they get embroiled in a challenge and then learn to grow and make a comeback, but overall they keep playing the game as they seek to accomplish the missions which they have been entrusted with, and know that each element of the process including the losses, the cheers, the boos and goals, are all a part of this journey that is unfolding.
The Baal Shem Tov, would teach that these journey's and the messages that they represent are in a way the journey of each one of us and our own story and destiny in life.
Back to our young camper who may have been crying tears of sadness that it was over for this year, but overall, we know he like all the other campers, are filling up their engines with all the horsepower they can get, so that they succeed in making their individual journey, one that not only is beautiful for them, but will also be life changing for the world around them, as they help score the next goal, the next Mitzvah, the next big milestone and accomplishment to make the world a better and more beautiful and G-dly world.
Let's keep playing tha game to win!
Go England!!!
Am Yisrael Chai & Good Shabbos
Yisroel