Each summer, a cohort of shlichim, staff members from Israel, arrive at Camp Newman to form our Mishlachat. For many campers, connections to their mishlashat counselors and staff are a meaningful part of their Newman experience, their Jewish identity, and a window into Israel education. From Erev Am Yisrael to the yearly mishlachat dance during rikud (Shabbat dancing), our shlichim, whether new or returning, feel like a part of camp from day one. However, this instant familiarity is not always as simple for our shlichim entering the new environment of Camp Newman for the first time.

At the end of the summer, we asked several of our first year mishlachat members to reflect on what their first summer at camp was like and our hearts were warmed by their responses. Here is what they had to say:

MaayanYahav, First-Year Ropes Specialist
The mishlachat is the Israeli staff that come all the way from Israel to be a part of the amazing staff here at Newman.  Mishlachat, comes from the word Shlichut, that in free translation means mission. We came on a mission to represent Israel, bring our Israeli energy and be apart of the community here at camp.

As a Shlicah for the first time, I can tell that my experience was beyond belief. I feel like we were welcome in the best and most respectful way possible, always knowing that there is someone who can help if needed, and slowly got to be apart of this beautiful community.

Being a part of the mishlachat really made me realize the importance of the work we’re doing here. I know that thanks to this place, this summer I got to be myself and bring my truly self, and by doing that I think that I was able to feel more connected to our shlichut (mission) here, and bring happiness, ruach and as much Israeli energy as I can.

Coming here was very interesting cultural wise, especially with the fact that I had barely any idea what Reform Judaism actually is. From Shabbat to Shabbat I had the honor to learn and realize about this culture, and even though it’s very different from where I’m from, I was still able to find it beautiful.

Stav Levy, First-Year General Counselor:
There’s something about camp that makes it feel like home almost instantly. Maybe it’s the long days spent together, the dancing, the singing, the small conversations between activities, or meaningful moments like Erev Am Yisrael. No matter where people come from, after just a few days, everyone feels like they’re part of something bigger.

After spending my gap year away from home, I realized that home isn’t just a place. It’s the people around you, the feeling of belonging, and the memories that stay with you long after the summer ends, and hopefully, the memories you leave in the hearts of your campers.

I’m finishing my Shnat Sherut here, and I couldn’t have asked for a more meaningful place to close this chapter of my journey.

Ilai W, First-Year General Counselor:
When I came to camp as a Shinshin, I came to experience another part of the Jewish way, make a positive impact, and bring Israel closer to the campers.

From the very beginning, I felt an incredible appreciation for Israelis at camp. I immediately felt welcomed, and people were genuinely interested in getting to know me and hearing my story. That made it easy to feel like I belonged.

Camp became a home because of the people. They are the reason this place is so special. Their warmth, kindness, and openness created a strong sense of community that made me feel like I was exactly where I was meant to be. They shared their meaningful traditions, we had unforgettable experiences, and so many moments of joy.

I came to camp to give something to this community and I left feeling that this place taught me as much as I taught it. And in the end, I left with a new community that found a place in my heart.

Mishel Vaispaper, First-Year Table Tennis Specialist:
They say home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling. But when you first fly in from Israel, you don’t really expect to find that feeling in the middle of the American woods.

At first, everything feels a bit foreign—the English, the crazy dining hall cheers, the traditions everyone seems to know by heart except you. But then something shifts. You realize that when people ask how you are, they’re actually listening. That in this place, you can just be completely yourself, no filter needed.

And then comes Erev Am Yisrael. You’re standing there in the middle of camp, surrounded by kids and staff from all over the world singing with you in Hebrew. As everyone comes together for the new Israeli Rikud (dance), you look around and see tears in people’s eyes. In that exact moment, your heart just expands. You realize that no matter how many miles you are from home in Israel, this camp has truly become a second home. A place where you’ll always belong.

Or Cohen, First-Year General Counselor:
Every other week, we have a special evening dedicated entirely to Israel. Everyone dresses in blue and white, and the campers spend time talking with the Israeli delegation. They ask questions about Israel, learn about our culture, and get to see the country through our eyes. They are always incredibly curious, engaged, and excited to learn more.

After that, they rotate through different activity stations. They write their names in Hebrew, get Israeli flag face paint, create their own Israeli flags, and then comes their favorite part of the evening—Israeli dancing.

These dances only happen on Fridays or during Israel Night, which makes them even more special. The campers absolutely love them and never want to stop dancing. It’s such a beautiful sight to watch a large group of kids, who may not have known each other just moments before, come together as one. Seeing everyone dancing in unison to Hebrew songs is truly something special.

Noa Eini, First-Year General Counselor
Growing up in a Reform Jewish environment, going to a Reform school and being part of a youth movement, I immediately felt connected to the camp. The prayers were a little different from what I was used to. Some of them were in English, and some of the melodies were new to me, but I actually really loved them. The prayers at camp just felt right. I don’t think there’s really one language for prayer  everyone can pray in their own way, and that’s what I loved about it.

I especially loved how much space the camp gave us to take leadership. Whether it was Erev Am Israel or the Shabbat service that our mishlachat led, we really got to be involved. During Shabbat, we, the members of the mishlachat, led the Kabbalat Shabbat. It was such a special and emotional experience, and it brought us all together.

It also gave everyone who wanted the chance to be part of it, whether through playing an instrument, singing, reading a text, or just sharing something. And at the end, we all went up together and sang in front of the whole camp. In that moment, I could really feel the power that we had as a group, and the power that I personally had within it.

A lot of the returning shlichim said things like, “When I’m not at camp, I just want to be at camp,” or “This is where I feel most like myself. I can be completely me, without any masks.” After being at camp, I really understand what they meant.

Whether we realize it or not, as we grow up we start putting on different masks. We get used to acting a certain way, being a certain version of ourselves, and sometimes it becomes hard to take those masks off. For me, camp was the first time in my adult life that I felt like I could just be myself. No one knew me before I got there. No one knew my story, what I had done, or who I was supposed to be. And honestly, it didn’t matter.

I could just be me, and that was enough.