Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can’t say it enough. To all the staff at Jewish overnight camps, thank you for all you do.
Thank you for creating a safe space for our children.
Thank you for acknowledging the beauty and value of each of their souls.
Thank you for validating each child’s strengths, their concerns, and their fears.
Thank you for encouraging them to try new things.
Thank you for supporting them when they fall, figuratively and literally.
Thank you for praising them when they succeed.
Thank you for exposing them to new Jewish values, practices, and ideas.
Thank you for helping them feel like they belong.
Thank you for helping them to be more self-sufficient and to clean up after themselves.
Thank you for their newfound independence.
Thank you for being good role models and for showing them how to embrace every part of their identities.
Thank you for caring.
Thank you for creating amazing fun experiences that they enjoy with their friends.
Thank you for showing them that Judaism is relevant and matters.
Thank you for fostering the lifelong friendships that they begin at camp.
Thank you for being surrogate parents and for helping to create a magical summer with memories that will endure through the years.
For all you do, both acknowledged and overlooked, thank you. Because of you, parents everywhere sleep well at night knowing their children are in your capable, caring hands. We know our kids are safe, they are loved, and they are having the time of their lives. Because of you, we know our children will gain confidence from trying new things, making new friends, and being given the gifts to explore their Jewishness and celebrate their unique selves. Because of you, these young children are maturing before our very eyes. They will remember you and the lessons you taught them, both intended and unintended. You have impacted their lives, and because of that, you’ve impacted ours. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
