(Courtesy of Bnei Akiva) What a summer it has been. After almost a year and a half of a world-wide pandemic- it felt like teens and campers could almost go back to feeling like normal kids again. Across the Bnei Akiva of the US & Canada summer program and camping movement—that meant over 6,500 participants and over 9,000 including staff could enjoy a summer experience they all desperately needed!
With all the Bnei Akiva Machanot Moshava sleepaway camps open this summer after being closed last summer, it was a touching reunion for campers and staff alike. Though most programs slipped right back into programming like no time had elapsed at all, there were some changes that made this summer unique. For the sleepaway camps, though it was an adjustment not to have off camp-ground trips this summer, many campers expressed it was an opportunity for special connections and greater bonds. Campers and staff felt truly disconnected from the outside world—a break everyone welcomed after the year they’ve had.
On the day camp side, Bnei Akiva was thrilled that all the Moshava Ba’ir day camps opened safely, including the newest location, Moshava Ba’ir Chicago. It was an incredible summer for all four day camps and the notes from grateful parents and campers are still rolling in. “Though the planning and execution to make a safe and welcoming camp happen during the Covid-era requires great tenacity, nonetheless the joy and smiles we were able to bring to campers and parents has made the arduous planning all worth it,” expressed Rav Shaul Feldman, Executive Director of Bnei Akiva of the US & Canada. “Our dedicated directors and teams have always worked hard, but over the course of the pandemic with the many curveballs thrown our way—it is inspiring to see the perseverance of everyone involved to support our local communities and spread our ideals of commitment to Am Israel, Eretz Israel and Torat Israel.”
As the summer winds down and the 600+ teens and staff from Mach Hach BaAretz return home from the summer experience of a lifetime, it has begun to hit the miracle that was Mach Hach this summer. With little hope of Israel’s borders opening as late as April this past year, it is still shocking that in the end hundreds of teens were able to get into Israel and enjoy a full summer experience connecting to our homeland, and returning just as the borders started tightening up again.
All in all, it was a successful summer for Bnei Akiva summer programming – and you are invited to join in year-round programming from Shabbat afternoon snif, holiday events, learning packets, shabbatonim and more. For more information or to get involved visit www.bneiakiva.org.
