Like most of you, I was shocked and devastated this weekend by the news coming out of Israel. The horrific violence that has left our Jewish homeland in fire and fear has left me sad and questioning.
It is with great sadness that I share with all of you the passing of Ilay Nachman. Ilay was a member of our staff team in 2022 and had become a beloved member of our growing community of Pinemere-ites in Israel. Ilay was a Village counselor but was known by everyone at camp as a gentle giant. His infectious laugh, caring nature, and love of Israel made him a pleasure to be around, and the type of role model both campers and staff could look up to. His passion for camp grew every day and I like to imagine that he would have eventually found his way back home to Pinemere, a place he loved with all his heart. All of us who knew Ilay were blessed to have had him in our lives. He will be sorely missed.
To our extended Pinemere family in Israel, we stand with you in solidarity and friendship and love.
Am Yisrael Chai,
Eytan Graubart, Executive Director | Pinemere Camp”
Ilay’s picture at the Nova Music Festival site; Ilay (center) together with Ron Shemer (left), a former Perlman Camp shalich, who also was murdered at the Nova Music Festival. This picture was taken at the 2022 summer camp shlichim training.
As happens every year, about 1,500 young Israelis will spend this summer at camps across North America as shlichim or emissaries, 370 of them at JCC day and overnight camps. In addition to their staff duties, these young Israelis carry the beauty and spirit of Israel with them, spreading an energetic “Israeliness” and strengthening the connection to Israel for campers and other staff. For many campers, the relationships they develop with their Israeli shlichim forever change their attitudes and associations with Israel.
Yesterday, I was privileged to participate in the Jewish Agency’s training seminar for summer camp shlichim. This was a somewhat surreal experience and felt like walking into a bubble. Alongside the painful Israeli reality that includes embracing the fallen and their families and fearing for the fate of the 133 hostages, I found excitement and joy.
In a small hotel in the mountains of Jerusalem, young Israelis from across the country gathered for pre-camp training. They were joined by camp directors from North America, who, despite the war and associated risks, did not hesitate to come to Israel to be together with the shlichim assigned to their camps and welcome them to camp ahead of the summer.
Once inside this magical, vibrant bubble, all I felt was the beauty of Israeli youth. These young people had recently been released from military service, many having fought in Gaza and lost friends. Some had been at the Nova Music Festival and survived. Others lost their homes, and for six months now have been living with their families in hotels or temporary apartments. Nonetheless, they managed to leave the horrors behind to enthusiastically sing summer camp songs—practicing the techniques necessary to bring their Israeli spirit to camp. It was uplifting and encouraging, an escape for a moment.
But the bubble was not sealed and certainly not transparent.
A large poster of the hostages next to a chilling poster of eight former summer camp shlichim who were killed since October 7 was a poignant reminder of the cruel reality outside our comforting bubble. Ilay Nachman, z”l, and Ron Shemer, z”l, with six others make up the eight.
As happens every year, about 1,500 young Israelis will spend this summer at camps across North America as shlichim or emissaries, 370 of them at JCC day and overnight camps. In addition to their staff duties, these young Israelis carry the beauty and spirit of Israel with them, spreading an energetic “Israeliness” and strengthening the connection to Israel for campers and other staff. For many campers, the relationships they develop with their Israeli shlichim forever change their attitudes and associations with Israel.
Yesterday, I was privileged to participate in the Jewish Agency’s training seminar for summer camp shlichim. This was a somewhat surreal experience and felt like walking into a bubble. Alongside the painful Israeli reality that includes embracing the fallen and their families and fearing for the fate of the 133 hostages, I found excitement and joy.
In a small hotel in the mountains of Jerusalem, young Israelis from across the country gathered for pre-camp training. They were joined by camp directors from North America, who, despite the war and associated risks, did not hesitate to come to Israel to be together with the shlichim assigned to their camps and welcome them to camp ahead of the summer.
Once inside this magical, vibrant bubble, all I felt was the beauty of Israeli youth. These young people had recently been released from military service, many having fought in Gaza and lost friends. Some had been at the Nova Music Festival and survived. Others lost their homes, and for six months now have been living with their families in hotels or temporary apartments. Nonetheless, they managed to leave the horrors behind to enthusiastically sing summer camp songs—practicing the techniques necessary to bring their Israeli spirit to camp. It was uplifting and encouraging, an escape for a moment.
But the bubble was not sealed and certainly not transparent.
A large poster of the hostages next to a chilling poster of eight former summer camp shlichim who were killed since October 7 was a poignant reminder of the cruel reality outside our comforting bubble. Ilay Nachman, z”l, and Ron Shemer, z”l, with six others make up the eight.
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