At the beginning of June, Daria, 25, from Kibbutz Sufa in the south of Israel, returned to be a Camp Shlichah (Israeli emissary) for her third year at the same Jewish overnight camp in Massachusettes. Currently serving as the head of the waterfront for her second time, she started at the camp as a bunk counselor of rising 6th graders and a dance instructor.
“I get excited every summer to be a Camp Shlichah because I get to make campers smile, experience and enjoy the water and watch them explore more about themselves,” shared Daria. “I also get to see and work with all the campers, make connections and learn about myself through leading my staff.”
Each year, The Jewish Agency, in partnership with Jewish Federations across North America, recruits charismatic and energetic young Israelis to travel abroad as Summer Camp Shlichim (Israeli emissaries) in North America, where they work in Jewish summer camps as counselors, specialists and educators. They participate fully in camp life, sharing Jewish traditions, teaching Israeli and Jewish culture, building connections, and serving as role models for campers and staff. In 2024, ~1,500 Shlichim are working at over 100 camps across North America, playing an even more critical role in bringing Israel to life in the wake of Hamas’s October 7 attacks.
“I think camp Shlichim are super important, especially this year, when there’s lots of misinformation spread on the media and hate against Jewish people and Israel,” explained Daria. “The opportunity for Shlichim to come to camp, meet campers and staff from around the world and share our stories and experiences as Israelis… It makes a difference.”
While Daria originally became a Camp Shlichah to experience a different culture, make new friends and have fun, this year her motivation for returning to camp was about giving back to those at camp who had been so supportive of her in the aftermath of October 7.
“On October 7, I spent 12 hours alone in a protected shelter and the only thing I did was talk to my family, my friends and coworkers from camp who asked how my family and I were doing. They were a pillar of strength and caring for me, distracting me when I was by myself and keeping me sane,” remembered Daria. “After everything I went through, I have been thinking since that day that I need and want to come back to say thank you personally to my friends, especially during these times of increased antisemitism, and bring good and happiness back to camp, and also to myself. This is my happy place.”
After October 7, Daria and her family, along with the rest of their kibbutz members, were evacuated to Ramat Gan, where they remain today.
“Coming back to camp was also about solace. After many transitions and the feeling of disconnection I experienced, I think there is nothing that made me happier than returning to a place that is familiar to me and where everyone is being so supportive and caring,” added Daria. “I love it and the people here. It is my home for the summer even on the other side of the world.”
