Last week we noodled generational wisdom, the importance of leaning on God to inform our actions in raising children and mentoring others. We emphasized that to feel loved, safe, and hopeful, the source is our Abba ministering to each of His children through the Holy Spirit, and the awareness of Yeshua walking with us every step of the way.

As some of you know we are in the second week of Camp Or L’Dor, a Messianic Jewish teen camp founded by Rabbi Nathan and Sid sixteen years ago. Its original vision had three parts-  daily services and teachings to deepen Messianic Jewish teens’ experience and knowledge of their faith, an off site challenging outdoor adventure to fortify their understanding of the need to trust God, and location at a Jewish camp to help our Jewish brothers and sisters better understand Messianic Judaism as well as help our campers feel part of their Jewish community.

The first two parts of the vision are going strong, as was the third part for the first ten years or so. During those summers we were able to be hosted by Jewish camps which provided opportunities for a multitude of fruitful conversations and relationships. At that time Jewish camps generally were being underutilized so they had room to rent their facilities to outside groups.  For the last several years, however, we have not been able to be hosted by a Jewish camp due to an increase in enrollments in Jewish camps generally, or at least the ones located in the eastern US.

More recently these camps have been completely filled by their own campers with no room to rent to outside groups. They welcome us in early June or later August but those dates cannot accommodate our campers’ dates due to our national base of campers, some still in school until late June, others back to school in early August. So for the last several years we have been holding our camp at an environmental  education center in the Poconos and this year at a Christian retreat center also in the Poconos. Our curriculum and siddurim for services (even a Torah scroll) are brought with us regardless of location.

Although it has been a disappointment to not be at a Jewish camp, based on my interactions with the wider Jewish community now compared to ten years ago, Messianic Judaism currently is being understood more accurately by our Jewish brothers and sisters than it was during the earlier years of camp. Stereotypes are giving way to understanding. Our campers and staff definitely experienced this evolution of understanding while at these Jewish camps. Conversely, we learned from our Jewish hosts as well. So perhaps we are in a time now to be at peace with our location wherever HaShem leads us.

Interestingly, even at the non Jewish camps our leaders and staff have had incredibly meaningful conversations about Messianic Judaism. This year we have been interacting daily with a host camp staff person who has a Jewish grandfather but was raised Christian, she being the child of an intermarried couple, and for the first time she is learning about Jewish observances.  She is enthralled to say the least. We have had blessed interchanges with Orthodox Jewish families who were also renting at the secular camp we were at for the last two summers. So many conversations leading to understanding. . . So clearly His work informing and guiding ours. . .

This year’s camp so far has been one of the best group of campers and counselors we have yet to have been blessed to lead. Those who had been with us in prior years, campers and counselors alike, have gone out of their way to make the new campers feel comfortable. The location is exquisite on incredibly beautiful, scenic acres with beach and waterfront, so many activities, amazing Kosher food, loving and welcoming hosts and staff.

As would be the case with any large group of young people, we have had our share of complex interactions to unravel and manage, not to mention a number of illnesses. It is that skillset of being able to shoulder these challenges and facilitate a great experience for our campers and counselors which resonates with last week’s message – He has equipped us to lead with love, providing shalom and safety, and optimism to our young people.  Our leaders turn to prayer, and have appreciated those praying for us, to help us know what to do and how to do it. We are grateful for the young leaders, some of whom have been with us since they were campers, to build a leadership team, overseen by Rabbi Nathan and Cheryl, as those young leaders  learn how to mentor their campers. The space we are given, away from our usual day-to-day routines back home, allows all of us to draw close to Him, the ultimate Mentor, as we work to guide these young souls, to be a light to the next generation, Or L’Dor.

Whether at camp or in our homes or community, each of us has been given this role as believers in Him, to share the truth of how to live lives of love, safety, and optimism, the understanding of ultimate shalom, of peace in Yeshua.

Shabbat shalom.

Diane