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I heard yesterday that Rabbi Simcha Kaufman, the longtime head counselor at Camp Agudah, might not be returning this summer. My initial reaction was one of con4cern for his wellbeing, but i was assured by someone close to him what health, boruch Hashem is not a factor in his planned resignation. My reaction then turned to stunned disbelief. I smply cannot fathom Camp Agudah without him. To many, it may seem like he has been a part of the camp forever since the beginning of time. That of course is not true but he has been there longer than I am alive, so to me thats forever.
As a child, I wasnt a camper there, but several of my sons attended Camp Agudah, as campers and staff members. I do, therefore have a firsthand impresssions and experiences of what Rabbi Kaufman means to Camp Agudah and its participants at least to my children and their friends.
I could easily write an entire newspaper certainly one complet letter, about the virtues of the sleep away camping experience and while its true that the economic situation of many families or perhaps other personal reasons do not allow for this experience it is so tremendously beneficial for theose fortunate enough to go. But i won’t use this space to applaud camping, its secluded torah environment, the special shabbosos, the maturity that comes with being away from home, etc. I just want to focus on what Rabbi Kaufman means to that camp.
For the most part, rabbeim and roshei yeshiva although they constantly deliver shmuessen and hadracha to their talmidim, don’t have the opportunity to demonstrate all that they preach. Rabbi kaufman, though for two full months every single year…and much much more…
I heard the same. He kept everyone in line and gave a torah’dike feeling to the camp and all of the Shabbos meals.
I hear R’ Motti Karfiol is taking his place. He will have no problem keeping everyone in line!
From talking to parents of children in Camp Agudah, myself an old time camper (early 90’s) I actually think that Rabbi Kaufman made a smart decision by resigning. He’s been there for 50 years! It’s time for change! I am told that there are many younger individuals extremely capable of bringing Camp Agudah back to the way it was “in the good old days” For some reason Camp Agudah has been in decline for the past 5 or so years.In matter of fact a big portion of the camp has been allocated and rented to Yeshivas for the past couple of years. Camp Agudah use to be the place which was extremely difficult to get in, and now they are left to advertising! We must honor Rabbi Kaufman for all that he has done, however he made a wise decision, which I am sure he does not regret. Let us hope that Camp Agudah will is full in 2012! Bring on the change!
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