“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Eikev
21 Menachem Av 5785/August 15, 2025
COLORFUL BLISS
Summer camp is a place of smiles, fun, excitement, joy, friendship, sunshine, creativity, adventures, and more.
But for many camp is also about life transformation. Camp had a profound effect upon their life decisions and trajectory. What is the magic of camp that has such a lifelong residual effect on so many? Sometimes it’s about feeling accepted and loved, sometimes it’s about being able to hone in on untapped talent, sometimes it’s about being able to shine for the first time, and sometimes it’s all of the above.
Someone who isn’t a “camp guy” may view Color War and perhaps camp generally as just fun, and maybe even a bit silly. But for those who have been in camp know that it can be extremely impactful.
In Rabbi Chaim Mintz’s Sefer “Zikeinecha v’yomro loch” he relates that Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l was asked if camp masmidim (who learn Torah most of the day) should participate in Color War activities. Perhaps they shouldn’t be part of it because it would take away time from their Torah learning.
Rav Moshe replied that Color War is a good thing and its worthy for them to join. He explained that throughout the year when they are solely engaged in their learning, they don’t have the opportunity to utilize their creative capabilities and talents. Color War is a wonderful chance for them to utilize those latent talents and, since it’s during the official break from the yeshiva semester (bein hazemanim), they should be encouraged to participate.
I had the great zechus to spend many summers together with Rabbi Mordechai Finkleman, both in Camp Torah Voda’as and then in Camp Dora Golding. I consider him one of my foremost rebbeim from the many lessons I learned from him during those summers. I still find myself quoting him constantly.
Rabbi Finkelman related that when he was 19 years old, he was a Color War General in Camp Torah Voda’as. During that color War, he walked into the camp office and Rabbi Shmuel Dishon, the camp learning director, stood up. Rabbi Finkelman was extremely uncomfortable that the camp Rav would stand up for him. But Rabbi Dishon explained that any position or promotion one merits is ordained by heaven. Being Color War General is a position of malchus, if even for three days. Halacha dictates that one rise for a melech and, therefore, Rabbi Dishon felt that it was proper for him to stand for the 19-year-old Color War general.
Rav Moshe Feinstein similarly notes (Darash Moshe, parshas Vayakhel) that any talents one is endowed with should be viewed as a calling. Hashem has granted him those abilities so that he can enhance the lives of others and sanctify the Name of Hashem by utilizing those abilities in positive ways.
A young fellow had started learning at a ba’al teshuva Yeshiva. He approached Rav Shlomo Wolbe zt”l and asked: “Rebbe, I was once a national violin virtuoso. Is it permissible for me to continue playing?” “No”, replied Rav Wolbe. “It is not permissible. It’s obligatory. I give you a beracha (blessing) that one day, playing the violin will no longer fulfill your highest spiritual aspirations. Only learning a Tosafos will be able to do that. But until then you are obliged to continue playing the violin.”
Traditionally, during Color War each team delivers various presentations, each requiring its own skill set. Songs must be chosen for various Color War songs and lyrics must be written for each song. Each team requires a song leader to orchestrate his team’s presentation of the songs. The teams also present a painted banner based on the team’s theme. There are various plays and skits to be written and directed, and actors to play each part. Of course, there are sports competitions for campers and staff.
Promoting ruach (team spirit) and hype are extremely important to help fire up and motivate the team to feel they can win Color War. It’s always fascinating to see a relatively quiet staff member standing on a bench, his face painted his team’s color, screaming a chant with hundreds of campers excitedly following his lead.
To be honest, as a camper I dreaded Color War. I like it when things are predictable and follow routine. During Color War the schedule is anything but that. There are different activities throughout the day, including Team Time, when each team learns the songs that they must present.
As a staff member, however, Color War afforded me the opportunity to utilize aspects of creativity that I didn’t know I had.
I vividly remember sitting around with other staff members of my Color War team in Camp Torah Voda’as (CTV) during the summer of 1995 (the final summer before CTV closed). It was likely well after midnight, after the Grand Play had been performed. Members of our team were trying to write lyrics for the team’s alma-mater. The alma-mater is the most pivotal of all Color War songs, in which the team does a semi recap of the special events of the summer, and nostalgically notes how memorable and beloved camp is to them. Our team was using the song from Journeys “Little Neshamla” and had gotten stuck on a certain line. Without thinking much of it I suggested, “As I ride the bus gazing out the window.” The eyes of the general of my team widened – “that’s perfect”. I was pleasantly surprised. From that one line my “career” writing lyrics for Color War songs (and beyond) was initiated.
I know of many respected Torah leaders today who were beloved camp personalities back in the day. Rabbi Finkelman himself acted in plays and wrote songs. The banners of Rabbi Yitzy Erps line the dining room in Camp Dora Golding, as they did in Camp Torah Voda’as. Rabbi Erps is incredibly talented and during the years he spent in camp he used those talents to inspire and entertain us. (He continues to perform though no longer in camp. Now we are privileged to glean from the great talents of his son, Rabbi Mayer Erps.)
For many children and staff members, especially those who aren’t successful students, summers in camp can be life-altering. The confidence they attain and the realization that they can positively contribute in a meaningful manner can infuse them with vitality to carry them through the frustration of ten long months in school. For a staff member the ability to positively influence campers and to learn responsibility is also invaluable.
This is my 32nd summer in Camp Dora Golding. I can unequivocally say that it has had a significant impact on my life and on that of my entire family.
This week Camp Dora Golding celebrated its 100th anniversary. Along with all the events that took place, the camp invited our alumni to join for the day. Former campers, staff members and administrators, some from a few decades ago, mingled with parents and campers. The alumni were extremely nostalgic about the wonderful summers they spent here. Many noted how excited they felt as they turned up the road near camp, and how difficult it was for them to leave at the end of the day. Now as adults with their own families they unabashedly related how camp influenced their lives on so many levels.
There are those who argue that summer vacation is too long. Perhaps that is true. But the positive effect of camp cannot be overlooked.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum