After dinner the chanichim (campers) all change into “arukim v’arukot” -long sleeve shirts and long pants – to guard against both bug bites and temperature changes. I do the same, but for a different reason. This summer, I’m connected to Avodah Corps, the rising seniors who love coming to camp so much that they are willing to spend five weeks schlepping luggage, cleaning toilets and taking out garbage. I’ve decided to join the kitchen crew for an evening. Faculty attached to other units often hit the pool or the beach with their campers; since my crowd doesn’t have dedicated swim time, I’ve decided to bond with them over the water in the dish room.
At first, the Avodahniks are surprised that I want to spend my evening up to my elbows in dishwater, but within moments my students become my teachers. They quickly show me which products are used to clean tables and which to clean mirrors. They suggest that I put on an apron if I want to wash dishes -at first I scoff but son realize the value of their suggestion. They patiently and playfully show me the most efficient way to wash plates and just as I think I’m nearing the end, they smile and, with a twinkle in their eye, point me toward another stack.
Earlier in the day, as part of a faculty-staff study session, we learned the philosophy of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, who suggested that Jewish life shouldn’t be confined to prayer and study, but that every aspect of life could be lived both communally and Jewishly. Members of the Avodah Corps live this philosophy at camp. When I walked into the kitchen they welcomed me -the stranger in their midst; they took care to teach me to do things I have done thousands of times without embarrassing me, someone many years their senior. Though cleaning toilets is in their job description, they understand that it is holy work, that this most basic and menial chore is in service of the dignity of everyone else at camp.
A few days later, as part of evening services, an Avodahnik leads the group in creating a mural. One by one, each participant is invited to dip their hands into colorful (washable) paint and to make their mark on a large piece of butcher paper on which the word “avodah” has been written in Hebrew and English. Our leader for the evening tells the story of the Civil Rights marches, and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel who, in response to a question about his participation, said that he felt as if he was praying with his feet. The Avodahniks have spent the summer praying with their feet…and their hands, and their backs. They have grown stronger in body, but also in mind and spirit. And, in so doing, they have enriched the camp experience for so many others.
Rabbi Toby Manewith has served on Avodah Faculty during the last two weeks.
Avodah is a work/study program designed for entering seniors in high school. Participants spend their mornings learning Hebrew and Torah, and then work in the afternoons and evenings at various places around camp. This unique staff community provides an environment for personal growth, as well as a strong sense of responsibility in performing necessary roles for the camp. Avodah members will participate in their own evening programming, in addition to all Camp staff programs.