Hey readers,
Last night and this morning, our Shabbat services were led by the staff members. As the session continues, campers will have the opportunity to write pieces as the villages will have a chance to lead their own Shabbat services. Our theme this week was time. This is the speech I gave last night to the camp as my take on the passage of time at CSL. I hope you enjoy it.
Neal Richardson
Though the clock is always turning, time stands still here at camp. We renovate and renew areas of camp, and make additions each year, but the spirit of CSL will always be the same.
Each generation will pass through, Ari Baum and Josh Sham will become just more names on cabin walls, and all of you will move on, taking only lasting friendships and memories from camp with you. As sad as this may seem, solace can be found in the fact that there will always be a Lederman, a Ginsberg, an Underberg, or hopefully one of your children at camp. And the magical thing about this is that, in the distant future, Jilli's grandchildren will still be singing Southern Cross and going bananas for the mass programs. For the future generations, as it is today, and was for those before us, days here are numbered, and for some, waning quickly. We all need to be prepared to leave camp when our time arrives.
It is great to leave an impression on camp, whether it be touching the lives of others, helping better the world through Tikkun Olam, or even just writing your name on every building you can. These things are necessary, but not in the way you'd think. Cementing a legacy is no what carries on the tradition of camp. Time will pass, and at some point, even the future camp director won't know who built the garden by the office, or who helped their campers have the best summer of their lives. Names on the walls will become legends, and then forgotten.
The amazing thing about camp is that in ten generations, people will be sitting right here, observing Shabbat. The Cayugans will be kicking at the same rocks in the same fire circle. The Mohicans will be playing MNL on the same O-field. What creates Camp Seneca Lake's tradition and spirit is people like you, getting after it and enjoying camp. Don't worry about how you will be remembered. In fact, don't worry about anything. Just have fun. Work toward making this summer amazing, for you and your friends. If you do this, Then I promise, just like the ticking of time, CSL, its spirit, and it tradition will remain constant forever.
