Kallah is filled with kindness
By: Missy Bell, RJE, Kallah Faculty & Director of Education at Congregation BJBE
Chesed, or kindness, is said to be one of our most important Jewish values. The Talmud tells us: “Rabbi Samlai taught, ‘With regard to the Torah, its beginning is an act of kindness and its end is an act of kindness, as it is written, “And God made for Adam and his wife garments of skin and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). And its end is an act of kindness, as it is written, “And he (Moses) was buried in the valley in the land of Moab” (Deuteronomy 34:6).’” (Sotah 14a:6).
First, we spent the morning celebrating our special and unique talents through a game of Human Give. Campers showed off their skills like whistling, telling a funny joke, saying the alphabet backward, or showing something silly they can do with their body. Then, each of the chanichim received their own mirror where they wrote a positive affirmation that they will be reminded of every time they look at their reflection. Seeing all of the kind things that campers had to say to themselves was incredible! It is truly special to see all of these campers in Kallah, many of whom are first-timers, finding a home at OSRUI where they are comfortable with who they are and are showing chesed to themselves and everyone around them.
