During the recent Yomim Tovim our family had the zechus to participate in the annual ‘Simchaton’ at Camp HASC. What we saw was so spiritually uplifting, we wanted to share it with you.
More than 200 counselors and staff, choose to leave their families and local shuls to celebrate the true joy of Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah with 100 beautiful neshamos with various developmental difficulties. We beheld unforgettable sights of pure chesed and mesiras nefesh as these dedicated young men and women lovingly and patiently cared for their campers, who were at the center of the Yom Tov celebrations.
My work is in the field of mental health, in an out-of-town community, and I can say, without reservation, that the patience, love and understanding demonstrated by the volunteer HASC counselors exceeded anything I have ever seen provided paid staff in other places. The counselors gave freely of their time and demonstrated true love for their campers—and their campers responded in kind. The campers smiling faces and joyous involvement in hakafos spoke volumes. The individual attention given each camper allowed their precious neshamos to shine.
Pure Yiddishe chesed was on display everywhere. Any tantrums and minor behavioral issues were handled with a keen understanding of the needs and abilities of each camper. We were astounded by the harmony and love apparent all around us. The entire proceedings were suffused with the idea that our way is one of unlimited kindness, the words of the Meshech Chochmah (Emor 32) that, “All of Torah and mitzvos demonstrate compassion, mercy and kindness—the ways of Hashem,” never rang truer than at the ‘Simchaton.’
The counselors gave much, but they also gained much from their campers as well. The davening was inspired, the hakafos leibedik and the young men singing at the meals inspired all in attendance. Older campers, cheered on by the rest as they received an aliya, topped off by an emotional Kol ha-Nearim, was truly a sight to behold.
“I love Simchaton” was the frequent refrain of the happy campers I had the zechus to interact with. From Mincha on Hoshana Rabbah till Havdalah on Motzei Shabbos, the pervasive theme was ‘Ivdu Es Hashem B’Simcha,” serving Hashem with joy, and by doing so providing both campers and staff with a Yom Tov to be cherished forever, and all ‘Al Taharas ha-Kodesh.’
The parents, who greatly appreciate both the incredible experience ‘Simchaton’ provides their children, as well the needed respite it provides their families, cannot help but express their Hakaros ha-Tov to HASC’s selfless counselors. As one parent wrote, “Where does a parent find the words to describe how they feel towards someone who will bask their child in unlimited love and attention for three days straight and then return them home safely, to replay the memory forever and ever? Whoever is hand picking these gems, sure knows what they’re doing!!!”
By Dr. David Weiss
