Hippies

Last week, I spoke about my time at camp. And what I had learned from the campers. And before I move on from camp entirely, I wanted to share one final takeaway. 

After a pool party with my unit (the fourth and fifth-graders) the counselors led our closing bedtime ritual. While still in the pool, the campers formed a large circle. The counselors then locked arms in the middle and waded as they sang aloud the folk tunes of hashukivu and the Shema prayer. Later that night, one Israeli shlichim (Israeli emissary) who I hadn't met yet, asked me what my role was at camp. I explained that I was a rabbi. "Can I ask you a question…" she prompted. "Explain to me Reform Judaism." "Maybe be more specific..." I retorted. She explained that growing up in Israel, to say you were religious was equivalent to stating you were more-or-less Black Hat Orthodox. The Judaism she had experienced at camp left her in a bit of a culture shock. "Okay, this evening," she said, "Why are they doing Shema in the pool? This is no place for prayer. Tefilot b'bracha? Ma ze?" 

She was exasperated. But I found the question amusing. Because I didn't think twice about doing the Shema in the pool. Why not? And over the next few days, more questions arose from other Israelis. And after a few days of ruminating, the best answer I had concerning what it is that we do in the Reform Jewish camping world. Was the following: We're all just hippies. Camp is a free-love, dance all night, anti-conformist, feelings-first, Let your freak flag fly, hippie carnival. The Bug-Juice Judaism Acid Test.  And before you harsh my vibe here, because perhaps you feel differently, try seeing through my eyes.

Bushy bearded men resembling Jerry Garcia himself play non-stop John Denver songs. Children run around all day in tye-dye t-shirts making friendship bracelets. There's no television. Vegan options are ALWAYS available. Camp leadership are the roadies. The counselors are more-or-less camp groupies. There's no real money to be made. The campers learn about nature and gardening while petting goats and sheep. Our first Unit Program, listed as "Science Night," was making miniature lava lamps. Also, as a side note, after my first summer at camp, I believed that the Grateful Dead bear was a Jewish symbol - like the star of David. I'm not kidding. 

Let's take this one step further. Tell me if you've met a single parent who is disappointed that their children never came back from summer camp as athletic superstars. The first question parents always ask is, "Did you make friends?” Followed by, “Did you have fun? Were your counselors nice to you? Were they kind?" Because what campers learn at camp is how to accept others. They figure out how to get over their own "hang-ups." The emotional baggage they carry around. They learn how to go with the flow. To Keep on Truckin. Through a schedule, they have little to no control over. At camp, there's really just one overarching message. One golden rule. A classic theme song that plays in the back of everyone's head. "C'mon and Get Happy." 

I can't begin to emphasize how much happiness plays a vital role. How much music, kind words, nonviolence, and active listening make camp what it is. Happiness, above all else, is what parents pay for. It's what staff strive so hard to provide. It's also what campers have come to expect. 

While returning back to my room, I stopped by one of my cabins only to find one of my kids in tears. He was conversing with a leadership staff member. I was late to the game, but this sweet little boy filled me in on what transpired. He was appalled and saddened when they played Celeion Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" during our song session. He remembered the movie “Titanic,” after watching it with his mom and how sad it made him. He said, "Why would they play something so sad when we're supposed to be happy?! It doesn't make sense!" Honestly, I was like. "Dude. You're so right. That's a complete bummer."

There are so many Jewish nonprofits these days that function on numbers and logistics. There are so many who want to measure. Prod. Poke. And Pinch. How is this nonprofit performing? Show me the numbers? Show me the money? Give me the data! I'm sorry, but yes, camp runs on cash. I know that rainbows and unicorns don't pay the bills. But unless there are good vibes and positive energy. There's nothing to grow on. 

Reform Judaism isn't much different. We have tried the best we can to free Judaism of impediments for our children. Even if it looks weird. Feels weird. Even it means doing the Shema in the pool. Because Reform Judaism is steeped in the history of non-conformity. Nonviolence. Everyone loves to talk about the flower-power justice of Abraham Joshua Heschel. But we tend to forget one of Reform Judaism's original labels. “Liberal” Judaism. 

We saught to renovate tradition so that our souls don't get sucked away in monotony. Ein Kemach, Ein Torah. If there's no flour. No substance. No happiness. No joy. There's no Judaism. And where there's no Judaism, there's no Torah.

And thus, may God grant us the gift of being mellow. May we all be granted the gift of peace fingers. The gift of love. Friendship. Fellowship. And good vibes. Amen.