On the first night of Chanukah, 150 Camp HASC campers, staff and family members gathered for a pre-Chanukah mesiba and reunion in Cedarhurst, New York. For so many campers and staff members, their seven week summer experience in Camp HASC is a highlight of the year, so to gather together with their friends from past summers was a heartwarming experience.

As campers and staff members trickled in, you could feel the excitement building. Friends who spent an amazing summer together were reunited after months apart, and the joy on everyone’s faces was remarkable. The party was further enhanced by the arrival of many women and men from HASC Center’s residential program who joined the fun and celebration.

The program began with the uplifting music of Binyomin Ginzberg, along with a delicious lunch catered and sponsored by Bagel Eight Events and R&Z Kosher Smoked Meats. Campers and staff members worked together on personalized Chanukah arts and crafts projects, and the group participated in a pre-Chanukah candle lighting, along with full participation sing-along of the brachot, Maoz Tzur and Chanukah classics led by Camp HASC program director, Rav Avi Pollak and the Camp HASC camper choir. The mesiba concluded with ruach and dancing in which all campers had a chance to dance and celebrate together with their friends.

A beautiful addition to the event was that quite a few campers spent the Shabbos before the mesiba at the homes of their counselors, in anticipation of Sunday’s party. Tzvi Messinger, who coordinates year-round programming for Camp HASC commented, “There’s nothing like seeing the close bonds of a summer in HASC continue and grow throughout the year at the homes of campers and staff members. Those long term relationships are what it’s all about!”

Thank you to our year-round programming team of Avigayil and Tzvi Messinger, Shira Strauss, Rabbi Daniel Eisenberg, Aviva Sadigh and Batya Bosin for all their hard work, as well as Dani Hagler Photography for his support at the event.

By Rabbi Avi Pollak