By Michal Rosenberg
Camp Mesorah hosted Chesed 24/7 and Shimi Adar this week for an exciting, powerful and first-of-its-kind chesed program that brought together the entire girls campus.
It started with the idea to bring Adar up to camp to enjoy some of her trademark energy and enthusiasm. Camp Mesorah Administrator Terri Karasick knew campers would love that surprise, but had to get creative since the only time Adar was available was the Three Weeks. After collaborating with her good friend Devora Adler, of Chesed 24/7, the two came up with the idea for the ultimate chesed event that would be both meaningful and fun.
On Monday, all girls campers, from day camp to teen girls—and Yachad campers as well—gathered together to hear from Yissi Steinhart, a representative from Chesed 24/7. Steinhart talked about the significance of one of Chesed 24/7’s primary efforts—the Shabbos Box, and how all the items inside help the patient in the hospital feel a little closer to home and a little less alone. He explained, on a level with which the kids could connect, how chesed is such an important value and that it not only helps the person who is on the receiving end, but also helps shape the giver’s character.
After watching a video on the work of Chesed 24/7 volunteers, the campers were able to join three different activity stations. At one table they stuffed bears for children in the hospital. At another, they knotted blankets for patients to stay cozy—an initiative started by Camp Mesorah. At the final station they packed the Shabbos Boxes, making an assembly line, with each group creating a different component for the box—including cards, flowers and Havdala kits—and then putting them all together to send to people in the hospital.
Adar brought her star power, energizing the entire program as the emcee, and motivating the campers with her contagious excitement. Her message to the girls was inspirational as she charged them to take chesed beyond the day’s event and incorporate it into their beings, their way of life.
As Program Director Ilana Wilner said, “[Mesorah’s] goal in such a personal and impactful chesed activity was that even in camp, when we forget about the outside world—we’re in our own bubble, with our own timezone, our own community—we take a day to connect with the larger Jewish community and those who need to know we’re thinking about them.”
