Campers had a fun packed first week at Harford Chabad Camp Gan Israel - Summer Camp!
A fellow clergy member asked me this week:
Kushi, it's not like you have a camp of 50 kids, even your Hebrew school isn't that big, is it worth it to run a camp and invest so much for the children?
I didn't answer as I, myself, was wondering the same. By divine providence, shortly thereafter, I was listening to a podcast about the liberation of the Previous Rebbe from Soviet prison, which we celebrate tomorrow (more on that here).
The main reason for the Soviet anger at the Previous Rebbe was because of his encouragement of children's Torah study. Children who are not even obligated to observe any of the Torah and Mitzvot. It would seem preferable to cater to adults. However, the Previous Rebbe acted similarly to what it talks about in this week's Torah portion, Parshas Chukas. Not everything we do needs to make perfect sense. Some things are done because that is what G-d wants.
The previous Rebbe acted with self-sacrifice. Risking his life, above logic, simply to do what G-d wants. He knew that as a leader of the Jewish people, he was responsible for the continuity of the Jewish people. True, children are not obligated to celebrate their Judaism, but Jewish continuity depends upon the Torah study of children. Our Sages tell us, “If there are no kid goats, there will be no adult goats”. Educate the children about the importance of Judaism so that as they get older, they will grow up as proud Jewish adults!
In Soviet Russia it took literal self-sacrifice, you could have been arrested and killed. In the land of the free and home of the brave, it needs focus, and sacrifice of time and sometimes of finances.
Let us partner together in this mission. Camp is continuing for another week, and Hebrew School starts after Labor Day. We are also trying to restart our teen program. If you know of any Jewish children from ages 0-18, for whom these programs might benefit their Jewish pride, let us know about them and let their parents know about us.
Let us work together to make it happen!
Thank G-d we don't need to risk our lives, but we do need to invest in our children.
Have an amazing Shabbos and celebrate the liberation of the previous Rebbe after services tomorrow at 10:00 am.
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman