Director's Corner, Monday, July 20, 2026

Monday, July 20, 2026

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

One of the things that makes Beber different is that leadership isn't something we simply teach in a classroom or talk about during a workshop. We give campers real opportunities to practice it.

Today was Maccabiah, one of the most exciting and spirited days of the summer. While younger campers experience the games, cheers, and friendly competition, I always find myself watching something else: our older campers. Our Senior Ramot campers serve as captains, organizing events, helping younger campers sign up for activities, leading cheers, solving problems, encouraging teammates, and making sure everyone feels included. The day simply wouldn't run the same without them.

What I love most is that they don't do it for recognition. They step into these roles because they've spent years watching the campers before them do the very same thing. Leadership at Beber is passed down from one generation to the next. Today's captains were once the seven-year-olds looking up to an older camper who welcomed them onto a team or taught them a cheer. Now, without even realizing it, they've become those role models themselves.

Of course, Maccabiah is only one example. I see these leadership moments throughout the summer. Older campers help younger campers learn camp traditions, they lead in their Mispachot, they welcome first-time campers into conversations, and they remind others what it means to be part of our holy community. Leadership here isn't reserved for a title. It's practiced in hundreds of everyday moments when a camper chooses to help someone else succeed.

One of the greatest gifts of camp is that campers are constantly surrounded by role models who are only a few years older than they are. That makes leadership feel attainable. A nine-year-old doesn't just see an adult counselor leading; they see a teen or young adult who was once exactly where they are today. It quietly plants the seed: Someday, that could be me.

Today was spirited, action-packed, and unforgettably exciting. It was filled with impressive teamwork, great sportsmanship, and lots of friendly competition!

The morning kicked off with campers rotating through a variety of exciting events, including dodgeball, Newcomb, gaga, trivia, ultimate frisbee, sing down, and basketball. Every team brought incredible energy and enthusiasm as they earned points and cheered one another on. I saw lots of Ruach tickets handed out by our judges to campers and counselors who showed exceptional sportsmanship today.

After lunch and rest hour, the competition continued with track and field events and exciting relay races in the pool. Campers gave it their all, showing determination, teamwork, and true Beber leadership every step of the way.

As always, our kitchen team went above and beyond to keep everyone fueled and happy for the big day. We enjoyed waffles and acai bowls for breakfast, “Hot Dog Mania” for lunch, and fettuccine alfredo for dinner, all alongside our expansive salad bar, which offered plenty of fresh and tasty options throughout the day.

Our 2026 2nd Session Maccabiah theme was Heroes & Villains: Two Sides of the Same Story. This theme explored how there are no heroes without villains. There are no champions without challengers, and no light without darkness. There is no victory without someone willing to stand in your way. Without the challenge, there is no transformation, and without the obstacle, there is no hero. Read each team’s hero, villain, and team value here:

Red Team:
Hero: Wonder Woman
Villain: Cheetah
Value: Truth

Yellow Team:
Hero: Batman
Villain: Joker
Value: Justice

Green Team:
Hero: Green Lantern
Villain: Sinestro
Value: Willpower

Blue Team:
Hero: Superman
Villain: Lex Luthor
Value: Hope

We wrapped up an amazing day of teamwork, perseverance, and fun with our Maccabiah Closing Ceremony. Each team proudly revealed the banner they had spent the day creating, then took the stage in Crown Hall to perform their team dance and sing their team song. The creativity, spirit, and teamwork on display were incredible, and I so enjoyed seeing each team's unique community and values shine through. The energy in the room was contagious, and campers of every team stepped up as leaders as they encouraged their teammates, cheered one another on, and showed what makes our kehilah kedoshah so special.

At the end of an unforgettable day of Maccabiah, Yellow Team emerged victorious! Congratulations to Yellow on their win, and a huge mazel tov to all teams for their outstanding participation, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm. For those keeping score at home, the order in which the teams finished today was Yellow, Red, Green, and Blue.

Every camper helped make today a memorable celebration of teamwork, friendship, and camp ruach. Camp is one of the few places where young people are trusted with real leadership opportunities while they're still growing into themselves. Every summer, I watch older campers become role models for the next generation, and I know that someday those younger campers will step into those same roles. That's the beauty of Beber: it isn't just a place where leadership is taught. It's a place where leadership is lived.

Peace, Love, 3BC,
Michael

Yesterday's song was "You’re My Best Friend" by Queen. Congratulations to our correct answers:

• Shana Sexton
• Jenny Wood
• Lillie Burkons
• Zach Geller

Can you name the artist behind "Hero?" Send your guess to trivia@bebercamp.com, and I'll reveal the answer in tomorrow's blog.