This year’s Israel Day had an extra sense of meaning and purpose at Camp Kaylie. Israel day began with a powerful video introduction, featuring reflections from upper staff and campers about what makes living in Israel so special. Their personal stories and emotional insights painted a vivid picture of the love and pride they feel for living in our homeland. The morning continued with a chinuch session during which campers wrote heartfelt letters to the chayalim, expressing their deep appreciation for the soldiers’ dedication and bravery. Campers walked around all day wearing blue and white and holding Israeli flags, with the amazing day culminating with the Zimriyah. This year’s ceremony featured songs about Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael with each division sang their song under the expert guidance of Shaindy Plotzker. The campers sang their hearts out, creating an atmosphere filled with emotion and unity.

A particularly touching moment came when the camp presented a gift to the Morell family, who are mourning the loss of their son, Maoz z”l, who fell while fighting in Gaza. Moaz’s story is one of remarkable strength and determination. Campers learned that his inner resilience traced back to his great-grandparents, who had to put their children into hiding to survive the horrors of Nazi Germany. This legacy of courage and fortitude was a source of inspiration, highlighting the enduring spirit that runs through the Morell family. Head Counselor Tova Polakoff presented the gift, a painting with the pasuk: “Hashem oz l’amo yiten, Hashem yivarech et amo bashalom” to Mrs. Morell who shared that “Hashem should hear the tefillah and shira of Zimriyah and bring us the ultimate shalom.”

Mrs. Morel thanked the Kaylie family for welcoming them into camp and allowing them to gain chizuk from sharing the story of their son Maoz. She shared, “Maoz was a great hero. If you met him you would think he was a regular kid. Only those of us who took the time and got to know him got to see what a special person he was. There is a message leading up to Tisha B’Av. The Beit Hamikdash was destroyed for sinas chinam. If we spend the time and get to know someone and their inner world, then we can have ahavat chinam. What I have seen in Camp Kaylie is that is what you are learning here. You get to know people for who they are on the inside. Thank you very much for having me here.”