What a glorious Shabbat experience. I often think that the camp Shabbat is a taste of what a rest day in heaven might be like. Sleep late, buffet breakfast with lots of donuts, beautiful services in an outdoor chapel, great lunch, all the free time in the world to play ball or dive in the pool or just read a book under a tree. Top it all off with Havdallah under a clear sky where you can really count three stars, and it makes for a perfect day.

Our kids are having a great time. We stopped in at Eisner's sister-camp, Crane Lake today, where Sam and Sarah Berman are having a blast and looking great! When I asked them if they were enjoying camp, they each looked at me as if to say, "what kind of silly question is that? Of COURSE we're having fun!" The kids had just finished some intensive sports instruction-- soccer and tennis-- and were off to help take care of the llamas, wild turkeys, and goats that reside at Crane Lake during the summer!

Many families have long-standing attachments to camps,and that is absolutely terrific. But if your family doesn't have any particular allegiance to camp, or is looking for a "new home," Crane Lake and Eisner are really worth looking into. I'll look forward to talking to you more about it when I return, as will our congregation's kids who are here!

All the best...

Joel

Today was the opening day of camp here at Eisner, and it was fantastic. It was the first sunny day here in weeks, and it made for a great atmosphere for campers and their families to arrive in the Berkshires.

I was working checking campers in, and was pleased and filled with pride to see the Kern, Wichler, Jung, and Mass families pull in with their campers in tow! We got a great picture with three of the families that should be posted to the website soon. (Here it is!)

The atmosphere in the dining hall at dinner reminded me of what this experience is really all about. Over 450 young people from all over the Northeast singing Jewish songs with a ruach (spirit) that I've never witnessed anywhere. Dinner was followed by a beautiful evening prayer service overlooking the lake.

I am so thrilled to be here, and I look forward to a great couple of weeks of fun and learning.

L'shalom,

Joel