נבונים 2017 יקרים,Dearest Nivo 2017,
Can you believe it?! Your Nivo summer is just around the corner. A part of your story is ending, but another is just beginning. As I get into gear for the summer ahead, I can’t wait to be back in Conover with all of you, sharing what is sure to be a unique and special summer for us all.
In case you didn’t know by now, my name is Maya, and I’m going to be your Rosh Aidah this summer! Sound familiar? Since I last saw you, I moved back to New York after two years in Jerusalem, and am now nearing the end of my first year of rabbinical school. I’m also a new aunt to the cutest baby in the world. Last year, I wrote in my letter about how excited I was for the Gilmore Girls reboot on Netflix. I’m happy to report that it lived up to the hype and that I thoroughly enjoyed it. These days, between classes and teaching on the upper west side, I’ve been reading as much as I can outside the classroom, staying engaged as an informed democratic citizen, and have just started Parenthood (currently only on season 1, so stay tuned).
As I think back to myself pre-Nivo, I’m reminded of some of the things that were on my mind: making the transition from Sophomore to Junior year, finishing my time as a camper at the beloved מחנה, leaving a legacy, wondering what the inside of the גבעה would look like and hoping I’d be able to find the note my sister left for me, hoping I had enough “cool” black clothes to look cool enough for Nivo…
And now, as I prep to return for my 13th summer to help make נבונים meaningful for you, I’m thinking about: watching all of you flourish as leaders of the camp, as CIT’s, as interns in the ענפים, and beyond, learning about and giving back to our community in Eagle River through service projects, leading the camp in key moments of the summer like the זמריה and יום ספורט, having unique learning opportunities as an aidah and in smaller family groups, working with you to make the summer experience you want with camper ועדות, and, of course, the unique and historic opportunity to be the first Nivo on the beautiful new גבעה campus!
The pictures look amazing, and I can’t wait for you to make your summer home there in just about a month! The new גבעה will bring amazing opportunities; a chance to make memories in the new צריפים, a מואדון that is all our own to plan our summer together, and a space for us to define and shape as נבונים 2017.
I’m sure you’re also thinking about your regalia — stay tuned for an opportunity to make design decisions together via social media (welcome to the future) so we can have our #swag as early in the summer as possible!
As you start to finish up the year and start packing your bags, remember this, dear נבונים: this summer, more than any other, is what you make of it. I encourage you to think about your goals now. Bring them with you, and help your staff and me shape the summer the way you have always imagined it. I can’t wait to see you soon! בהצלחה on the remainder of your year.
עד הגבעה, מיה
See you on the givah! Maya
