By: Haley Rose, Marketing Assistant
Our youngest campers have a daily “Mitvah Mission” program. During these programs they learn about the Jewish rituals and traditions we do every day and every week at camp. Those are, exploring tikkun olam (reparing the world), birkat ha’mazon, Shabbat, havdalah, and our nighttime siyum ritual.
Why teach mitzvot?
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"The importance of teaching campers about mitzvot is to guide them to understanding that fulfilling a mitzvah, whether it be a ritual or an act of kindness to others, is supposed to fill the heart and soul with joy. This is why my favorite mitzvah is to celebrate Shabbat with simcha (joy) which is what we do each week here at camp." -Eli Burg, Porter Creek Program Director
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“A mitzvah literally means a commandment, there are 613 of them in the Torah from God. I think of mitzvot as good deeds as well. It is important to teach kids this at camp because camp is a microcosm of what the world should be. Mitzvot are an important part of jewish tradition. The most important part of camp is not just what happens here but what you take home.” -Emma Silver, Assistant camp director and NFTY CWR advisor
What mitzvot mean to our campers
Inspired by the “Mitzvah Mission” program we asked the campers what a mitzvah is to them and what their favorite mitzvah was.
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"A mitzvah is something that you do good. My favorite mitzvah is to help out someone when they are hurt."-Julienne, Nitzanim
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"A mitzvah is doing good deeds, even when nobody's watching. My favorite mitzvah to do is helping people out, whether that's in the classroom or at camp." -Stella, Nitzanim
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"To me a mitzvah is doing something extra nice or special for someone no matter the time. My favorite mitzvah is to help out people in need because I have such a great life."-Hannah, Nitzanim
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"To me a mitzvah is doing good deeds for other people even if you don't get anything in return, and it is being nice all the time. My favorite mitzvah is helping people out when they need it even if they don't ask."-Alana, Chaverim
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"A mitvah is doing something good for others. My favorite is going to food banks."-Aiden, Chaverim
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"A mitzvah to me is helping people get food or other things that they need. My favorite is going to food banks."-Gael, Chaverim
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“A mitzvah is something you do to help people.”-Ilon, Chaverim
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“A mitzvah is when you do a good deed and help other people. My favorite mitzvah is to help other people that don’t have as much as us and to help my family.” -Gabriel, Chaverim
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“A mitzvah is a kind deed that you do for someone else. My favorite is helping my family.”-Callum, Chaverim
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“A mitzvah is something you do to help someone or a bunch of people out. My favorite is to help others out with what they need” -Joseph, Chaverim
What mitzvot mean to our staff
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"It's something that makes you a good person and your community better. My favorite mitzvah is walking your guest to the front door after they visit you. It's a mitzvah to be a good host. We have the normal rules and then the Jewish rules - there's a really good set of rules that we received and should use. It's a gift." -Aya, Mishlachat
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"A mitzvah is a gesture or act from you to others in your community. My favorite mizvot is giving what you have to those who have less. Like donating clothes, food, or anything that you're capable of giving. Like in my family, my parents gather clothes from me, my sister, all of us and then donate it anonymously to a facility. It's important to teach kids to do good deeds without caring about getting something in return." - Ron, Mishlachat
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"A mitzvah is doing something for others that results in a positive outcome for everyone. Back when I was a kid, every summer we used to go clean up the beach and pull weeds. Teaching mitzvoth is a way that we show campers how to value Judaism, community, and the area that you live in." -Jeremy, Rosh Teva
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“A mitzvah is doing something to make someone else’s life better thus making your life better having done said action. I think giving compliments is nice.”-Eli, Counselor
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"My favorite Mitvah is making someone smile when they are having a rough day. I think each small act is how we create a better world."-Ari Vared, Executive Director
