“We have come from near and far, to raise our voice in song, and the more we join in the refrain, the more we feel strong.”
These words from Dan Nichols’ song, “Chazak,” sum up the power of music at camp perfectly. This summer at Capital Camps, we have campers from as near as Frederick and as far as Israel, who have all come together for the same reason: to be in community with each other and have a joyful, meaningful, Jewish experience. We express that Jewish joy in a multitude of ways, including praying, learning, and dancing. However, you’d be hard pressed to find a more joyful or meaningful experience than when camp is singing together. No matter how many times I sing Hashkiveinu with camp, I will always get chills hearing everyone’s voices blending together to become one.
This summer, singing with camp has uplifted me and has made me feel stronger than any summer before. As I’ve leaned into that strength, I’ve also found myself looking ahead to next month, when myself and Jews across the Gulf Coast region will be observing the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. This summer has brought up a lot for me as I reflect on my experience two decades ago as a refugee from the floodwaters that overwhelmed my hometown. Much like we will be coming together this weekend to uplift each other and commemorate Tisha B’Av, the day in which we mourn the destruction of the Second Temple, camp continues to be a place that helps us carry one another through shared musical experiences.
With gratitude,
Nick May