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The 2026 Mitch Perlmeter Leadership Award

Presented at Gesher Family Shabbat on Saturday, July 25th

 

“No place or event has provided me with more memories, more friends, more character, or more love than Camp Harlam has.”

Mitch Perlmeter never had the chance to be a staff member at Camp Harlam, but his CIT application tells us everything about the kind of counselor he would have been. He believed that Camp Harlam is a place where Jewish joy and Jewish learning could thrive. He believed that Camp Harlam is not only a place for fun and laughter but also a place for connection and growth.

In his honor, we award one Gesher CIT every year with the Mitch Perlmeter Leadership Award to celebrate someone who embodies the qualities Mitch possessed: passion, vision, and belief.

This year’s recipient is Tyler Schwartz!

Matt Hersh (Gesher Supervisor), Jake Weitzman (Gesher Assistant Supervisor), and Ofek Kimhi (Gesher Assistant Supervisor) said of Tyler:

“She carries herself with a kind of happiness and kindness that is contagious. She has a way of making people feel comfortable, supported, and seen…She has shown us that leadership is not just about having the loudest voice in the room. It is about knowing when to step forward, when to listen, and when to ask for support.”

Congratulations to Tyler, who received this award in the presence of her family, her camp community, and several past winners of the Mitch Perlmeter Leadership Award! And a huge thank you for helping to make Camp Harlam magical.

Read the Gesher leadership team’s full speech about Tyler here.

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Ben: Before we say the Barchu, we wanted to share a quick story about how friendships can grow into something bigger. It doesn’t happen all at once. It grows over time, one connection at a time.

Liam: It all started with Ben and me. We’ve been friends since preschool, and back then, we had no idea that a small friendship could eventually become part of something much bigger.

Gabe: Meanwhile, AJ and I met during Carmel, where we were introduced to many others, while EBY started in Galil.

AJ: At the time, we had no idea how much our paths would cross. I got to know Ben and Liam in Arava, and those friendships kept growing from there.

EBY: Then I met Ben and Liam in RAH during their first double session and quickly became part of the group. This year, I also got to know Gabe and AJ, and suddenly, all the pieces started to fit together. Through those new connections, a community began to take shape.

Ben: What started as a few separate friendships, formed over time, eventually came together into one close-knit group.

Liam: Now, the five of us—Ben, Gabe, EBY, AJ, and me—are standing here together.

Gabe: If even one of those connections hadn’t happened, we probably wouldn’t all be standing here together today.

AJ: As we get ready to say the Barchu, we’re reminded that the Jewish community is built in much the same way: through people coming together, one connection at a time.

All: Please rise for the Barchu.

Pre-Yotzer Or: Ron and Matan

Matan: The prayer Yotzer Or is about the renewal of each new day and the creation of light. When my brother and I were preparing for camp, we were nervous about our first double session.

Ron: CIT year would grant us much more Independence than previous years at camp, and we were anxious what new challenges this summer would bring.

Matan: But when we got here, and we got our first Unit assignments, we gained confidence when finding the light in our bunks and our cos.

Ron: When trying out different departments around camp, we found a new appreciation for our staff and for our Leadership Team.

Matan: We both created our own, personal light being in this new position as CITs.

Ron: We found the confidence in ourselves to be independent and leaders across camp.

Both: (be chill about it)

Being independent away from home

With our confidence we say shalom

Finding the light with help from each other

All the CITS… THATS MY BROTHER!!!!!

Please join us in Yotzer Or

Pre-Mi Chamocha: Ava, Izzy, Sadie

I: Gesher summer is our first taste of true freedom at camp. We’re not quite campers anymore, but we’re not staff members either. 

S: Yet as Gesher participants, we still get a taste of the experiences camp gives to our staff.

A: With our new freedom, we get to unlock a new perspective of camp. 

I: At first I feared that the magic of camp may get lost within our new roles, but as the summer has gone on, I’ve realized that there’s something even better than getting to experience the camp magic–it’s getting to make that magic for others.

S: Forming new relationships with our campers have provided us with a new sense of purpose and pride. 

A: As campers, we all had those counselors that gave us purpose and fostered our love for camp.

I: In Gesher, we do the same for our campers and relish in the joy that we’ve helped to foster within our campers.

S: In the Mi Chamocha we pray and give thanks for the help and guidance that g-d has brought us. 

A: When the Red Sea split and our ancestors marched to freedom, they were in awe of their new independence and the gifts that g-d had given them. As CITs, we get to see this within our campers.

I: Camp gives us the miracles that not only shape our lives, but also our campers’. Just as those who came before us once walked through the sea, looking back at all their past experiences, we now cross through that same journey, looking back at the memories that have formed who we are now. 

S: We move forward to the next stage in our camp journey, appreciating all that has gotten us to where we are now.

A: Please join us in the Mi Chamocha as we look forward to what camp has in store for us. 

Opening Reading: Jackson, Milo, Simon, Braden, Conor

Shabbat Shalom!

Jackson: Introduction
As we pass the halfway point in our transition from campers to leaders, it’s a good time to reflect on how camp’s middot have helped guide us throughout this journey. As many of you may know, gesher is the Hebrew word for “bridge.” We can think of the seven middot as the building blocks that help us construct—and then cross—that bridge, supporting our growth from campers into counselors.

Milo: Binah
Binah, or seeking meaning, is found through the things we do at camp. It means embracing camp traditions, like dressing in white for Shabbat and participating in Friday night song sessions, while also creating your own meaningful camp journey.

Simon: Tiferet
Tiferet is about finding inner peace and beauty within ourselves at camp. As simple as it may sound, camp is the perfect place to embody tiferet. The Gesher program has given us the opportunity to step back from our everyday lives and become part of something bigger than ourselves, allowing us to make a meaningful impact on the camp community.

Braden: Rachamim
As CITS we’re often placed in difficult situations where we have to make mature decisions. In these situations we’ve learned to embody the middah of rachamim; acting with your heart. Whether it’s talking to a camper having a hard day, finding new love for a program at camp, or giving a friend the last popsicle. In our Gesher year we’ve learned to model rachamim for all of our campers.

Conor: Achrayut
Achrayut, or thinking about others, is especially important as we transition from campers to counselors. We can no longer focus only on ourselves; instead, we must put our campers’ needs before our own.

Jackson: Bitachon Atzmi
As we step into new roles, we take on greater responsibilities and gain more independence. Bitachon Atzmi, the middah of confidence and independence, is essential to this growth. It means advocating for ourselves and taking ownership of our needs, like managing our own care at the mirpahah. Bitachon Atzmi allows us to trust our own judgment so we can lead our campers with strength, empathy, and confidence.

Conor: Nitzachon
As CITs, we often rely on nitzachon, or perseverance, as we learn to meet our campers’ needs for the first time. As we step into leadership roles, we must learn to push through difficult situations, even when they take us outside of our comfort zones. Those moments help us grow into stronger counselors and better role models.

Simon: Simcha
Stepping into our roles as members of Gesher means prioritizing simcha, finding joy, not only for ourselves but for our campers as well. For the first time at camp, we’re responsible for making sure others—not just ourselves and our friends—have the best experience possible.

Milo: Conclusion
As we continue in our Gesher program this summer, it’s essential to think about how, while developing each middah matters, just like building a bridge, each block or piece is crucial to its success. Being able to harness and implement all these midot in our daily camp life will aid us in successfully becoming the leaders that our campers look up to.

Pre-Shema: Izzy and Green

Izzy: The Sh’Ma is about coming together as one, one community, one family, one bunk 

Green: Whether we are Chanting the birkat after dinner 

Izzy: screaming Sim Shalom on saturdays

Green: Dancing together at RakDan

Izzy: or connecting with bunkmates during off’s, we connect many different ways at camp 

Green: binah or Seeking meaning connects with the Sh’Ma because I find meaning getting closer with my bunkmates and campers and forming that one mentality

Izzy:  I find meaning in teaching campers old camp traditions I’ve known for a long time. What did the boy say to his mom during silent prayer 

Green: Shhhh Maaaa

Together: Please rise for the Sh’Ma!!!

Pre-Yismechu: Noa, Tali, Molly

Noa: simcha, where can you find it? Is it in the silent cheers after finding out you have canteen? Is it in the banging of hands on the chader tables during song session? or, is it found in a calm day of hanging out in the bunks during bunko?

Tali: I find Simcha and being able to make a stronger impact and form connections with campers and staff now that we are CIT‘s.

Noa; I find Simcha in the confidence I feel in my Judaism and being able to share my special connection with my religion to all my campers, getting them excited to spend shabbat at camp!

molly: I find Simcha when creating new memories with my friends and family and in hope of creating new ones with my campers here at camp.

A way we believe camp finds simcha is through the tradition of hand motions when singing a song.

-ysmechu song “hand motions- an example of camp finding pearly joy and connection

tali: recently as a part of the gesh program all of us crossed a metaphorical bridge, otherwise known as the bridge outside of Ellie‘s house. This bridge signifies the crossing over from finding Simcha as campers and fun activities with friends, to finding simcha as counselors and training and helping in today’s campers, continue to find that same joy and feel supported.

noa: one of these joys we share with our campers is the yismechu, the one we recite to remind us of Shabbat‘s joy and delight, hopefully sleeping that simple hot into their daily camp lives

molly: so where can we find it? Well, we can find Simha within ourselves and our connections to others.

all: what is your name?

unit heads: yismech 

all: yismech- WHO?!?!!!?

all: please join us for the yismechu

Pre-Amidah: Sofia Cohn, Tyler Schwartz, Amy Roth-Epstein, and Linzi Greenfield

All: Nothing at camp lasts forever…except what we pass on!!

Sofia: The Amidah is a prayer that expresses gratitude and asks G-d for peace and guidance. It is also a prayer that acknowledges those who came before us, reflecting on their legacy and the one we hope to leave behind. 

Tyler: To the naked eye, Camp Harlam is just 300 acres and 80 buildings. But to me, every acre of this place is covered in magical memories. The amidah reminds us to appreciate the physical spaces that have transformed our lives. When it is down pouring on your last shabbat as a camper, instead of being dismayed, dance in the rain! If you’ve been to camp then you’ve heard of the phrase “buy in!”. This is such important advice because so much of camp is about perspective. When you chose to embrace every moment, it will make that 300 acre property into a lifelong home. 

Linzi: When I hear the word legacy, I often think about something we leave behind, but I think it’s something we build every day. As Gesher, we’re a bridge between being campers and becoming counselors. The way we treat others, including everyone, and leading by example becomes part of the legacy we leave at Harlam. It’s in the small moments that matter the most, whether it’s inviting someone to eat lunch with you, cheering someone up the tower, or simply making sure campers feel like they belong. These moments may feel small while they are happening, but they shape the environment we make and the memories that carry on after camp ends. 

Amy: As a camper, there were counselors that we distinctly looked up to. Whether it was how they comforted us when we were homesick or how their love for camp shined through, something about these counselors stood out to us. This year, as CITS, our campers now come to us with questions, insight, and advice. When reflecting on my own camper experience, I always think about the counselors and CITS that made an everlasting impact on me. I hope that my legacy will be my campers remembering me as the CIT that was kind, admirable, and the one that made an everlasting impact on their camp experience. 

Sofia:  My dad started his camp journey right here 35 years ago. Growing up, my brother and I were raised on his camp stories. His time at camp ended after his Chavurah summer- but in 2019; my brother and I got to pick up where he left off, keeping his legacy going and bringing all those stories we heard as kids back to life. Being in Gesher has taught me to value balance. I now enjoy the chaos of the packed schedule because I’ve found comfort in the late night talks with my friends at the end of every day night. 

Linzi: Just like the Amidah connects us to the generations that came before us, being a CIT connects the camp magic we inherited to the new legacy we’re all building right now.

Amy: To the current campers, you are the next generation of jewish leaders. You have the power to make a difference and your voice matters. 

Tyler: May we always be grateful for the legacy we inherited, and intentional about the legacy we leave behind.  

All: Please rise for the Amidah

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Everyone: Shabbat Shalom, Camp Harlam!

Sonia: Our middah is Rachamim, acting with your heart.

Gabby: In Arava, there are many different ways to show Rachamim.

Acadia: From comforting a friend to linking arms in song session…

Tahlia: …or sharing your cookies at milk squad.

Samantha: Camp Harlam is the perfect place to act with your heart.

Sonia: To us, Rachamim means…

Gabby: Being a good friend…

Acadia: Bunk mate…

Samantha: and family members.

Tahlia: Now it’s your turn to show Rachamim!

Pre-Shema: Levi, Jagger, Owen, Sam

Sam: The Shema is about unity, connection, Jewish peoplehood, listening, and believing in something.

Levi: I feel unity when we all wear white and come together as one camp.

Owen: I feel connection when our unit comes together and talks about the week at Kabbalat Shabbat.

Jagger: I feel connected to the entire Jewish people when we light the candles on Shabbat, knowing everyone else is doing this too.

Sam: When I think of listening, I think of comforting my friends when they are homesick and listening to their feelings.

Jagger: The Shema can help me believe in me and my friends never being alone.

Levi: All of these things can help us learn about what the Shema means.

Everyone: Na Lakum, please rise for the Shema.

Pre-Chamocha: Hannah, Stevie, Dalia, Gabi, Dani

Hannah: Mi Chamocha is a prayer that represents freedom, awe, and miracles.

Stevie: This happened when the Red Sea split and the Israelites were in awe of what a miracle this was.

Dalia: It was also a miracle that we all got the chance to come to camp and create amazing friendships.

Gabi: Now that we are in Middle Camp, we have more freedoms and opportunities, like going to Hersheypark, Kef B’Mayim, and Medium Ropes.

Dani: At camp, every moment can reflect back to Mi Chamocha in different ways.

Everyone: Please join us in singing Mi Chamocha!

Pre-Amidah: Nathan, Seth, Nolan, Austin, Lenny

Nathan: The Amidah is about recognizing the generations that came before us.

Seth: As more generations come to camp, our community grows bigger and stronger.

Nolan: Without the generations that came before us, our traditions wouldn’t be the same.

Austin: In acting with our hearts, we carry the legacy of those who came before us and keep our traditions alive.

Lenny: Acting with your heart in a community can teach you not just to care about yourself, but also others.

Everyone: Na Lakum, please rise for the Amidah.

Havdalah: Avi, Ruth, and Sadie

Sadie: Presenting… our middah!

Avi: You can find it during Nikayon when you help a friend clean their area…

Ruth: …or in the Chadar when you move to make room for your friends.

Avi: You can also see it when someone is comforting their bunkmate.

Ruth: It’s the one… the only…

All: Rachamim!

Ruth: As our first Shabbat comes to an end…

Sadie: …we challenge you to think about how you showed Rachamim this past week…

Avi: …and how you can show Rachamim throughout the rest of the session.

Everyone: Shavua Tov, Camp Harlam!

Pre-Bar’chu: Julien, Mitchell, Henry, Rafi, Jacob

Julien: The Bar’chu is about coming together.

Mitchell: But what does that mean? And how do we do it?

Henry: It means participating and being part of a community with friends and family.

Rafi: Like at camp, when we all participate on Shabbat.

Jacob: Even outside of camp, we come together as a community and celebrate our differences.

Julien & Henry: You can even share a chocolate bar!

Mitchell & Jacob: With who?

Jacob & Rafi: Bar’chu!

Everyone: Na Lakum, please rise for the Bar’chu.

Pre-Shalom Rav: Poppy, Layla, Goldie, Noa B, Noa R

Noa B: Our next prayer, Shalom Rav talks about peace, calm, and hope. You can demonstrate peace at camp by coming together as a camp community for Shabbat services

Layla: Another way we can show peace at camp is by participating in blessing the food we eat during Shabbat dinner. This makes me and the camp community feel thankful for the food on the table.

Goldie: Shalom Rav also talks about being calm. I feel calm at camp when I’m reciting the prayers during Shabbat services.

Noa R: Another time when I feel calm at camp is when we are in the chapel in the Woods for Saturday morning services. I also feel calm during sicha time where we reflect on the past week.

Poppy: The last thing this prayer talks about is hope. A time that I feel hopeful at camp is when I put my arms around my friends for Siyyum. This makes me feel hopeful that I will have a great sleep and day ahead. 

Noa R., Noa B., Goldie: We hope you have a peaceful, calming, and hopeful Shabbat

Poppy and Layla: Please join us in singing Shalom Rav

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Sam: As Chavurah campers, we know that our time at camp is coming to an end. 

Emma: Which means that we have to cherish every moment, especially Shabbat.

Liv: Shabbat means coming together as a community to reflect on our past week and prepare for the next one.

Charlotte: Shabbat gives us the chance to rest from our busy day-to-day schedule.

Addy: Yism’chu encourages us to find joy in Shabbat and to cherish the moments.

Sam: Whether it’s banging on tables at song session, or relaxing in your bunk.

Emma: Because before you know it, it’ll be your last Rak Dan…

Liv: Last color war…

Charlotte: Last trip day…

Addy: and your last Shabbat.

Sam: With it being our last summer as campers, these are the moments we value the most.

Emma: We hope you can find joy this Shabbat.

All: Please join us in Yism’chu.

Pre-Amidah: Madden, Chase, Jackson, Jack, Zach

Jack: The Amidah is about legacy, connection, and community.

Zach: Many of us have been able to carry out the legacy from our parents before us.

Jackson: Not only have our past generations been at camp, but our siblings and future kids will continue to be here after we leave

Jack: A good example of legacy is the numerous signatures throughout all of the Chavurah village.

Chase: Another part of the Amidah is being an individual within a community.

Madden: As the oldest campers, we are given a large amount of responsibility as role models in our community.

Chase: When we say the Amidah, we remember both the personal connection to camp and how the Amidah reflects that.

Jack: Wait, who’s AH?

Madden and Zach: Me

Chase and Jackson: Dah!

All: Na Lakum for the Amidah.

Pre-Yotzeir Or: Julia, Marissa, Samara, Soleil, Gabby

J: Yotzeir Or is all about finding and creating light.

M: Light can be found in many places around camp. Every time we have lost power this session, the lack of physical light has been more than made up by the spiritual light we have found. 

G: Saying Yotzeir Or twice, once slowly and once fast, represents night and day. Some things can only be done at camp during the day like swimming, while other things can only be done at night. Evening is when we slow down and rest ourselves. The lights from the stars and campfires settle us as we prepare for bed and the next day.

S: When Chavurah got our buddies, we all found a spark of joy in the energy and creativity they brought to us and our village. From playing tag, making smores, and connecting throughout the whole session, we all found light in our buddies. And we hope that as they continue on their journey both at camp and in the outside world, they share that joy and light with everyone they meet.

SF: From the glow of the lights that light up the way to the village, to the stars in the sky as we lay on the basketball court at midnight, being in Chavurah really illuminates a new side of camp. As the oldest unit, we have more responsibility, like being role models for younger units, but also more privileges like greentime and our own space at camp.

J: All these examples have been about how we have found light at camp, but they weren’t random. All these moments have happened because of the time, energy, and love we have shared with each other during our time here. So to everyone here, from first-year campers to those going into their last year in this magical place, spread as much light and joy as you can, as the ancient wisdom on our bathroom stall says “you get as much out of camp as you put in.”

All: Please join us in Yotzeir Or.

Pre-Barchu: Sam, Zeke, Blaise, Dylan, Mark

Sam: As we sit here writing our d’var t’filah, there are currently four of us crammed on the top of a bunk bed.

Blaise: Although it may not seem like it, this is a perfect example of the sense of community we create in Chavurah.

Mark: From Green Time to rafting to making countless memories, we have demonstrated the meaning of the Bar’chu by coming together as a unit.

Zeke: As our last first session comes to a close, we look back at all these memories and realize that throughout the years we have come together in numerous different ways.

Dylan: What’s your name?

Mark: Who. I go to school because I’m cool.

Blaise: That’s a Bar, Who.

Everyone: Na Lakum, Please Rise for the Bar’chu.

Pre-Mi Chamocha: Maya, Alyssa, Sophie, Lucy, Emily

Everyone: Dear our Carmel buddies,

Lucy: Just as the Mi Chamocha mentions freedom, as your years at camp fly by you’ll gain freedom too.

Emily: As you grow up, some of the camp magic grows, but some gets left behind.

Maya: You may never realize the last time you jump in the middle of the circle for Siyyum.

Alyssa: You may never realize the last Milk Squad cookie you eat at the Machsan.

Sophie: You may never realize the last time you see Ellie’s tutu at S’morning.

Everyone: But every ending has a new beginning with new freedoms to offer.

Lucy: You will realize the first time you jump in the mosh pit at Rak Dan.

Emily: You will realize when Milk Squad turns into bonding in the villages during Brown Time and Green Time.

Maya: You will realize how much time has flown by and keep on wishing for more.

Alyssa: So, to our Carmel buddies, don’t take your time for granted and…

Everyone: No RAHgrets!!!

Alyssa: XOXO, your Rah buddies.

Sophie: Please join us in Mi Chamocha as we reflect on the many freedoms and miracles camp has gifted us.

Opening Reading: Nat, Tyler, Leo, Mike, Dylan

Tyler: This year in Chavurah, we were each given a chance to choose our own middah to focus on for the session.

Dylan: This set the tone for the level of responsibility we would have this summer at camp.

Nat: The first middah we chose was Binah, Seeking Meaning. We showed this middah by inspiring the younger generation through our Carmel buddies.

Leo: Additionally, we chose Nitzachon, Pushing Through a Challenge. This session we faced several complications due to weather, but we managed to move forward and still have a great summer.

Mike: Finally, we chose Bitachon Atzmi, Confidence and Independence. This year in Chavurah, we have the most independence by being able to roam about the village. This built confidence and showed us we are on our way to being young adults.

Dylan: By being able to choose our own middot, we are able to focus on specific aspects of ourselves, helping us to become more rounded individuals.

Everyone: Shabbat Shalom!

Pre-Silent Prayer: Victoria, Abby, Sam, Alice, Mollie

Victoria: As our time as campers comes to an end, we want to reflect on the camp memories that have shaped us into the people we are today.

Mollie: Our past years have shown us how to be good role models, embrace our Judaism, and learn to cherish every moment like it’s our last.

Alice: The silent prayer helps us look back on the week we had and think about how to make the next one better.

Sam: At camp there aren’t many moments to sit quietly and think to yourself. That’s why it is important to take a pause and think about all your unique camp experiences.

Abby: Even though we are all such close friends, all of our experiences differ from each other. Whether it’s color war, song session, or rak dan, we all live those memorable moments from different perspectives.

All: As we pray silently, we invite you to think about the moments that have brought you joy throughout the session.

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Buddy C: Long ago, we were slaves in Egypt. After ten terrible plagues, Pharaoh finally told Moses that we could be free!

Max C: We could be free to celebrate Shabbat! We could be free to pray to God! We could be free to be Jewish!

Nora F: But just as we got to the sea, Pharaoh changed his mind again. His chariots and soldiers were coming to take us back to Egypt, back to slavery.

Buddy C: Just then, the sea parted and we safely crossed to the other side. We couldn’t believe it!

Max C: Mi chamochah ba-eilim, Adonai? We sang, “Who is like You, Adonai?”

Nora F: Today there are people who are not free. We promise that, with Your help, we will work hard to make sure that everyone is set free.

Everyone: Then all the world will sing with joy! Please join us in singing Mi Chamocha.

Pre-Shalom Rav – Jane B, JoJo M, Frida S

Jane B: What does peace look like?

JoJo M: It looks like Jacob and Esau hugging after many years apart.

Frida S: It looks like two countries signing a peace treaty.

Jane B: It looks like Rebecca comforting Isaac after the death of his mother, Sarah.

JoJo M: What does peace sound like?

Frida S: It sounds like kind words on a bad day.

Jane B: It sounds like a sincere apology and a promise to try harder.

JoJo M: It sounds like people who are different trying to understand each other.

Frida S: What does peace feel like?

Jane B: It feels like Joseph’s tears when he is reunited with his brothers.

JoJo M: It feels like people going outside without being afraid.

Frida S: It feels like everything is going to be okay.

Everyone: Please join us in singing Shalom Rav.

Opening Reading: Elsie, Leora, Adah, and Eve

Together: Shabbat Shalom Camp Harlam, welcome to Friday services

Adah: Nitzcahon means pushing through a challenge

Eve: In Carmel, we push through a lot of challenges like leading Shabbat for the first time.

Elsie: Like making new friends because it’s my first time at camp.

Adah: A challenge for me is getting new responsibilities like sharing a bunk and being respectful to all my bunkmates.

Leora: This is the longest I have been away from my family. Making new friends helps me feel less homesick.

Elsie: We are able to push through so many challenges because camp is a safe place.

Eve and Leora: We hope you can reflect on the challenges you faced at camp. 

All: We hope you can find nitzachon outside of camp.

Pre-Shema: Ben, Aaron, Owen

Ben: The shema is a prayer that tells us that god is one. The word in Hebrew for one is echad. All of us are echad and that includes the people who live in Israel and all of the Jewish people everywhere.

Aaron: This prayer tells us to believe in god, that god is one, god is everywhere and nowhere at the same time and that we are all part of god.

Owen: Shema means to listen which relates to our middah, Nitzachon, pushing through a challenge. Believing in something you can’t see is a challenge for all of us. 

Ben: But knowing that we are all using nitzachon to have faith that god is there. 

Aaron: As we sing Shema, we remember that god is always there.

Owen: Please join us in singing the Shema as one.

All: Na Lakum for the Shema

Pre-Barchu: Ida, Ziva, Ellis, and Ezra

Ida: The Barchu is about coming together. We all come together by going up the hill when we celebrate Shabbat, just like we come together when someone in the bunk is sad.

Ziva: The Barchu is about coming together and praying, and in Carmel we come together to help our friends. I was in the play and I helped people. 

Ellis: What makes Carmel special is that it’s 3rd and 4th grade so if someone is in 4th and someone else is in 3rd, Carmel would be the only year you would be in the same bunk. Also, when all of Carmel comes together, we can make one big community.

Ezra: We prepared for the play by practicing it all day and doing it over and over again. I remembered the words for the play and was able to sing because I was prepared. Barchu prepares us to pray together.

All: Na Lakum for the Barchu

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All: Shabbat Shalom Camp Harlam

Avi: Our middah is Rachamim, acting with your heart.

Sadie: There are many ways to show Rachamim at camp.

Rose H: Some ways we show Rachamim are…

Sadie: When I sat down to sing with a bunkmate so that they would feel included, even when I really wanted to stand up and dance.

Rose H: I show Rachamim when I do people’s jobs at Nikayon when they need help.

Hannah: I show Rachamim when I make my friends laugh to get them out of a bad mood.

Rose M: I show Rachamim by including others when they feel left out.

Avi: I show Rachamim by comforting my friends when they are feeling down.

Rose M: Acting with your heart is very important.

Hannah: We hope you find more ways to act with your heart throughout the rest of the summer.

Pre-Barchu Reading – Rosie E., Gabby S., Halley R., Rose D.

Rose: The Barchu is about coming together as a community like we do every week on Shabbat.

Gabby: In Arava, we got separated into different groups because there are three Hillside bunks this year instead of two.

Halley: Even though we aren’t with all of our friends, we still come together on Shabbat.

Rosie: The Barchu helps us get ready to pray as a community. Likewise, we must be prepared before we pray.

Rose: At camp, we typically hang out with people in our bunk and unit. The Barchu is an invitation to gather together in prayer as a community regardless of our bunk or unit.

Halley: At home, not all of my friends are Jewish, but at camp I feel much more included because I’m part of a larger Jewish community.

Gabby: Excuse me, could you please state your first and last name?

Rosie: Bar

Gabby: Bar – CHU?

Everyone: Na Lakum – Please rise for the Barchu

Havdalah – Daniel, Yoni, Bridget, Ari, Ryder

Yoni: Ending a week is about leaving things in the past and starting new things in the future.

Ryder: Shabbat is when God rested from making the world. This is the reason we rest on Shabbat.

Daniel: Extended rest hour is an example of us remembering this.

Ari: Resting means getting the energy we need to experience the future in the best way.

Bridget: With Havdalah we say goodbye to the week before, and say hello to the week that’s coming. A lot of ups and downs could have happened this past week, but tonight we should look forward to the days ahead of us.

Pre-Chamocha – Owen, Nolan, Nathan, Asher, Kaden

Owen: Mi Chamocha is about freedom.

Nolan: At camp, I have the freedom to express my true self and be accepted and recognized for it.

Nathan: We get freedom when we do Camper Free Choice to explore our passions and new hobbies.

Asher: My parents give me freedom by sending me to camp.

Owen: At camp, I have the freedom to make choices, like choosing my sport in Athletics.

Kaden: Camp gives us freedom on Trip Day, when we can pick our own rides to go on and spend money on things we want.

Nolan: Freedom makes us who we are, and camp gives us that freedom.

Everyone: Please join us in singing Mi Chamocha.

Pre-Shema: Stevie, Eliza, Natalia, Lilly, Eleanor

Stevie: The Shema is about unity and connecting with others like we do here at camp

Natalia: I experienced unity, where after a whole year I was reunited with my camp friends

Eliza: I feel united when we are all dressed in white on Shabbat

Lilly: I feel connected when we all walk up to the hill together

Eleanor: At school, barely anyone is Jewish, but at camp I feel connected with the similarities I share with others.

Lilly: The Shema helps us connect to the entire Jewish community

All: Na Lakum, please rise for the Shema.

Pre-Yismechu – Talia, Poppy, Dalia, Hannah R, Dani

Hannah: When thinking about Yismechu, we recognize three main aspects.

Dalia: One of those aspects is rest. At camp, rest can look like Camper Free Choice, when we don’t have to follow a strict schedule.

Poppy: Another key part of this prayer is preparing for the week ahead. On Saturday mornings, we say “Shabbat Shalom” as we close off the past week and approach the new one.

Dani: The last theme that we recognize is community. This can be something as small as inviting someone to sit with you during Services, or putting your arm around someone during a prayer.

Talia: Or as big as being together as a community during Song Session or Havdalah.

Hannah: All of these themes come together to reflect the meaning of Shabbat in Yismechu.

Talia: Please join us in singing Yismechu.

Pre Amidah: Brandon, Ethan, Pickles, Ryan, Nathan

Nathan: The amidah is about legacy, those who came before us, passing down traditions from generation to generation, just like my mom has to my sister and me.

Ethan: But it’s also about being an individual in a community.

Pickles: We begin the amidah all together as a community and then as individuals we take a moment to pray silently.

Ryan: That means that my silent prayer is different than my friends

Brandon: Mine too

Brandon: I’m thinking of a word that starts with Am

Pickles: EE

Ryan: Duh

Brandon: Oh, Amidah

All: Please rise for the Amidah

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Abby B: Prayer is the way we speak to God.

Oliver E: Sometimes we pray alone; sometimes we pray with others.

Hannah R: Sometimes we pray out loud; sometimes we pray silently.

Abby B: Sometimes we pray with our words; sometimes we pray with our deeds.

Oliver E: Sometimes we say our prayers; sometimes we sing them.

Hannah R: However we choose to pray, God, we pray You will always hear us.

Abby B: Knock knock.

Oliver E: Who’s there?

Abby B: Bar.

Oliver E: Bar’chu?

Everyone: Na Lakum, please rise for the Bar’chu.

Pre-Shema – Samson, Cylus, Jonah, Matthew

Jonah/Cylus: Some people at camp have known each other for a long time.

Matthew/Samson: And some people have just met

Jonah: Even though our time spent together may vary

Cylus: Everyone is greeted with a “Welcome Home!”

Samson: And now everyone will come together again.

Matthew: The Shema is like a welcome to unity

All: So, the same way we all get welcomed home to camp, we now ask everyone to Na Lakum, please rise together for the Shema.

Pre-Amidah – Adira, Rebecca, Gillie, Syd

Rebecca: The Amidah is a prayer about legacy and those who came before us.

Adira: I can connect to this because my siblings came to camp before me and shared their experience and love for camp.

Gillie: Even though I am the first in my family to go to Camp Harlam, I hope that I can share the joy of being here with my family.

Syd: This all connects to the Amidah because it shows that we all come from different places but we come together in a big community at Camp Harlam.

Rebecca: Camp Harlam is a place where friends become family.

Adira: Our Harlam family connects us to the legacy of all those who came before us.

All: Na Lakum, please rise for the Amidah!

Pre – Shalom Rav – Charlie, Arin, Romy, Louise

Charlie: This next prayer is about peace.

Romy: Peace at camp means coming together.

Arin: Coming together at camp can mean gathering for services, evening ritual, and most activities.

Louise: Ending the week with simchah time brings calm and hope, similar to Shalom Rav.

All: In the last week, we challenge you to come together to find peace. Please join us in Shalom Rav.

Opening Reading – Ruby, Emme, Simona, Emma

Ruby: Sharon’s middah is Bitachon Atzmi, having confidence and independence. This means being proud and doing things on your own.

Emme: I show and find confidence and independence at camp when I climb the tower. You have to be confident in yourself when you climb so you can do your best and reach as high as you can.

Simona: At the start of my first year, I was excited, but also really nervous. As a couple of years passed, I started to feel more sure of myself. Camp felt more familiar to me and I started to learn more camp traditions. I finally feel confident in myself and camp truly feels like a second home to me.

Emma: My first summer of camp, I had to become more responsible and independent. I had to learn to take care of myself by keeping my area clean and folding my own laundry.

Ruby: Camp makes us all become more independent and confident in doing things on our own.

Everyone: Shabbat Sharon!

Pre- Chamocha – Carmel, Emma, Nora, Talia

Emma: When I think of freedom, I think of camp

Carmel: Camper Free choice is one of the activities that represents freedom to me

Talia: There are multiple examples that allow us campers to choose from

Nora: Like playing gaga, jibbetz trading, and being around other units

Emma: These are just a few examples of feeling free at camp

Carmel: And as we get older, our freedoms start to expand

Talia: When we go into the units of kfar and chavurah…

Nora: We get the time to be free during brown and green time. 

Emma: All of these examples lead back to the Mi Chamocha, because the Mi Chamocha is all about freedom. 

All: We challenge you to find freedom in your everyday life. Please join us in the Mi Chamocha.

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Matteo: Our unit’s middah is Acharayut.

Joel: Acharayut means “thinking about others.”

Adam: I used Acharayut when I helped clean my friend’s area during Nikayon.

Asher: Acharayut is important because it helps you feel empathy.

Gabe: When you use Acharayut, you learn to treat people the way you want to be treated.

Everyone: In the next week, we challenge you to use Acharayut and think about others.

Pre-Shema: Charlotte W., Isabella S., Emmy C., Sophia B., Georgie S.

Charlotte: The Shema is about coming together and listening.

Sophia: We practice listening at camp a lot. For example…

Isabella: All of us coming together for Shabbat services.

Emmy: Siyyum at night when we all listen, connect and join together as a unit.

Georgie: Or coming together during Evening Ritual and reflecting on our day.

Charlotte: Connecting the Shema to our daily lives can help us build unity in our community…

Everyone: And help us have a great summer!

Pre-Chamocha: Sammy D., Ben R., Asher B., Dylan H., Liam S.

Ben: Mi Chamocha is about freedom.

Liam: Since today is the Fourth of July, we remember that we are free, but we still have laws. For example, we are the oldest in Junior Camp, so we have to set a good example for the younger campers.

Dylan: As Americans, we have Freedom of Speech, but we still have to be kind to one another.

Sammy: In Galil, we got freedom when we got to do a Rope Burn and write this D’var T’filah.

Asher: All these reasons show how we have freedom in Galil, but still have to follow the rules.

Ben: When we crossed the Red Sea, we gained freedom, but soon learned about our responsibilities with the Ten Commandments.

Everyone: Please join us in singing Mi Chamocha.

Pre-Amidah: Noa B., Maren L., Livy S., Jaiden K., Charli M.

Livy: The Amidah is about honoring the people who came before us and the legacy of the people who are yet to come. I honor my grandmother’s legacy by wearing the Star of David I was given at my Bat Mitzvah.

Jaiden: My mom was a camper and counselor at camp. As a Galil camper, I now carry her legacy by sharing traditions and ideals she had as a camper.

Maren: My mom was a camper for many years and now my brother, cousins, and I are passing down the legacy. The generational bond camp has given me allows me to show appreciation for the traditions, old and new.

Charli: Although there’s no one in my family who came to camp before me, I am part of the first legacy in my family and I get to start a new generation. I am now able to pass down all of my traditions from generation to generation.

Noa: During my first year of Carmel, my Chavurah buddy gave me a Chavurah t-shirt that was given to her by her buddy, and once I have a Carmel buddy, I will give it to her too. Though it seems small, the legacy of that shirt is carried on.

Everyone: Please rise for the Amidah.

Pre-Bar’chu: Molly, Sadie, Lily, Hannah, Elizabeth

Molly: The Bar’chu is about coming together as one community.

Sadie: It could mean something small like getting ready for Shabbat or putting our arms around each other for Siyyum.

Lily: Or something big like coming together for Shabbat on the Hill or in the Woods to pray as a community.

Hannah: One example of coming together and being ready for something new is the fact that this is our last year in Hillside and that we are all coming together in K’far next year.

Elizabeth: This past week, we came together to build tents with new people.

Molly: While we didn’t sleep in the tents, the act of building them and working with new people helped us grow our Galil community.

Sadie: You can reflect on this prayer by thinking about the community you created this past week.

Lily: As we enter the new week, ask yourself how you can continue to make new relationships and build community.

Hannah: While it’s hard to build new friendships, it’s important to push ourselves.

Elizabeth: When we push ourselves, we include new people and grow.

Sadie: Hey Hannah! Have you met my friend Bar?

Hannah: Bar’chu?

Everyone: Na Lakum, Please Rise for the Bar’chu.

Pre-Yismechu: Julia, Teddi, Hailey, Charlotte, Sasha

Julia: Galil’s middah is Acharayut, which can mean having responsibility

Teddi: At camp, we have many special opportunities to be responsible

Hailey: One of our responsibilities is making sure we are rested and prepared for the next week.

Charlotte: Another responsibility is making sure everyone in our community feels included at all times.

Teddi: A third responsibility we have is leading this service for our Camp Harlam community

Sasha: To us, Shabbat is a special time where our community comes together and sings special songs like Yismechu.

All: Please join us in Yismechu.

Opening Reading: Caleb, Xander, Bennett, Jonah, and Henry

All: Shabbat Shalom!

Caleb: Our unit’s middah is Acharayut, “thinking about others.”

Bennett: An example of Acharayut is lending a hand to someone in need.

Jonah: We can show Acharayut by giving your nosh to someone if they’re hungry.

Henry: Or something as simple as filling up a bunkmate’s water bottle.

Xander: Those are just a few ways of showing Acharayut in our community at Harlam.

All: As we move through the service, think about the ways you can show Acharayut at camp.

The post Galil Divrei T’Filah 7.4.2026 appeared first on URJ Camp Harlam.

Alex: As we welcome this new Shabbat, we should think about the legacy of our ancestors.

Jacob: For example, my dad went to camp here and told me all about it. Before that, I thought color war was just throwing paint at each other. 

Ox: My family never came to camp so I’m starting a new legacy.

Wolf: My family also never came here so I’m starting a new generation of being at camp Harlam and I hope that my sister and my kids come here.

Alex: We all arrived at camp in different ways, but we’re here together now.

All: Na Lakum, please rise for the Amidah

Pre-Chamocha – Zoe L, Tova, Louise W, Natalie N, Riley

Zoe: Mi Chamocha reflects many Jewish values.

Tova: One of these values is awe.  An awe-inspiring moment that I had is when I was on the beach and saw a beautiful sunset, and it was really special to see it.  

Riley: Another moment of awe was last Monday night.  After we got our K’far buddies, we saw a full Strawberry Moon rising.  We also saw Venus with our bare eyes.  It was beautiful and meaningful to us. 

Natalie: In between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, I was at the beach and I saw dolphins in a really unlikely place.  This was not only a moment of awe, but a miracle.  

Louise: Miracles can come in all forms, from dolphins to making friends at camp.  You never know, maybe these friends will be with you forever.

ALL: Please join us for Mi Chamocha.

Intro Shalom Rav – Noa S, Gabby, Aria, Sadie, Jordyn

ALL: Shabbat is a day of peace and rest.

Gabby: Here at camp we’re always on the go.  

Aria: We always have something planned

Sadie: Shabbat is a time to reflect on the week that’s passed—

Noa: — and reset for the week to come.

Jordyn: This is why on Shabbat we get to sleep in,

Aria: and we get a break from Nikayon

Gabby: and, most importantly, we go with the flow.

ALL: Join us as we sing Shalom Rav, our prayer for peace.

Pre-Barchu: Ethan, Bailey, Nora, Alexander, Ari

Bailey: The Barchu is about coming together as a community and being ready to take on anything. 

Nora: We join together twice a week to welcome Shabbat into our community.

Ethan: When I was on the way to camp, I felt a little nervous, but when I finally arrived I felt like I belonged. 

Alexander: The Barchu can also be about standing for something like how someone could stand up for a group of people like an organization.

Ari: These are just a couple of examples of what Barchu is really about. They are real ways that people can stand together and support each other. 

Opening Reading: Maya, Dani, Lillian Rose, Hannah, Jaye

All: Shabbat Shalom

Maya: Kineret’s middah is Tiferet, which means finding inner beauty and balance

Dani: At camp we show tiferet by separating Shabbat from the rest of the week and taking time to rest at the end of a busy day. Camp also represents the balance of school and the rest of the year.

LR: In kineret, we get more freedom which leads to more responsibility so we need to use tiferet to find the balance between the two

Jaye: Tiferet is also about finding beauty in the little things at camp that we may take for granted at home. For example, air conditioning may be something we take for granted, but at camp we appreciate it more.

Hannah: Using the middah tiferet, we can become more mindful, balanced individuals, but we are also members of the kehillah kedosha of Camp Harlam, so to find true balance, we must balance the other middot alongside tiferet. 

Maya: At home, finding tiferet could be balancing the school week and weekend, while at camp, you can find balance when it’s time to take a break and when it is time to go do activities. 

All: We challenge you to find tiferet in the things that you do.

Pre-Sh’ma: Zoe, Chloe, Lia, Emilie, Shoshana

Zoe: At camp, we make many connections. Some with friends and some with God.

Chloe: And through these connections, we learn more about ourselves and can find inner beauty.

Emilie: These connections teach us new skills and prepare us for the future.

Shoshanna: They also help us become the best version of ourselves.

Everyone: Some examples are…

Lia: When I stepped into our bunk for the first time I was instantly welcomed, not knowing who I was, but knowing I was a part of the community.

Zoe: Believing in God opens up new chances to be grateful and gives us more hope, shaping us into better people.

Chloe: Not many of my friends are Jewish, so when I’m at camp I focus more on the small things like Silent Prayer and even thanking God for food after meals. I love the feeling of being united with everyone.

Emilie: The first time I climbed the tower, I was a little bit nervous, but then I heard my friends cheering me on which gave me courage to keep climbing.

Shoshana: In Kineret, we had the chance to connect with K’far buddies, who gave us advice about their Village and camp.

Zoe: Camp always gives you the opportunity to find new connections.

Everyone: Na Lakum, Please Rise for the Sh’ma.

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