July 26, 2025 – Middah of the Week – Hospitality/Hachnasat Orchim

Shabbat Shalom, Camp Louise!

Sometimes things are so important that we just have to do them again!  Hospitality is considered one of the most important Jewish values, and this played out beautifully at camp this week as we welcomed new campers into our community….a small repeat of week #1!

Campers returning this summer and seeing their old friends….new campers excited and nervous to join the camp family…veteran campers who came back this year as different people with new experiences that have changed them…first time campers eager to learn all about camp traditions.

Pretty soon it is hard to tell who is new and who is not, as our camp family grows…who has been here for one week and who has been here for 5 years.  We become one thanks to the incredible hospitality at Camp Louise.

And on Shabbat, we have the opportunity to take time to reflect on this past week and the middah we have focused on – hospitality/hachnasat orchim.

In one part of our Saturday morning service, we read:

We thank You for this special day of Shabbat that brings us together in this hour of worship.  We come as a family – the family of Camp Louise – campers, counselors, staff and guests – to share in these moments of rest and quiet that are part of our day of Shabbat Shalom – Sabbath Peace.

I hope that everyone gets the chance to reflect on the week that has passed – all that has been accomplished, all that has been learned, new people we have met, connections being built, relationships that are forming.

It’s all part of being open and welcoming – letting others in and making them feel comfortable.  That’s what camp is all about.

Last night we recognized 11 people for demonstrating this Middah (trait/value) of the Week, and they got to light candles with me during our Friday night Shabbat service.  These campers also received a special Shabbat bandana that I hope they will wear with pride, and it will always serve as a reminder of how they added to our camp community by demonstrating hospitality.

Shabbat Shalom,
Alicia