B’tzelem Elohim – Embracing Every Camper
This week in Yehadut (Judaics) our theme was OMG: Oh My G-d. One area our campers focused on this week was the concept of b’tzelem elohim– that we are all made in G-d’s image. In Bereshit 1:27, we read “וַיִּבְרָ֨א אֱלֹהִ֤ים ׀ אֶת־הָֽאָדָם֙ בְּצַלְמ֔וֹ בְּצֶ֥לֶם אֱלֹהִ֖ים בָּרָ֣א אֹת֑וֹ זָכָ֥ר וּנְקֵבָ֖ה בָּרָ֥א אֹתָֽם” “And G-d created humankind in G-d’s image, in the image of G-d, G-d created them; male and female G-d created them.” Our campers focused on the idea that every person is created in G-d’s image, highlighting the inherent beauty and value in all individuals.
Our beautiful camp is a mosaic of personalities, strengths, needs, and passions. Each individual camper and staff member contributes to the whole of what makes camp so special. At Ramah we often talk about living the Jewish value of inclusion. At Ramah DC Day Camp, our Tikvah program is fully inclusive, meaning that all campers receiving Tikvah support are in their edah (unit) with all other campers of the same age. However, what makes our program truly inclusive is not that campers spend the day with their same aged peers, but that inclusion is done meaningfully. For us this means taking the time to understand the different needs of each camper and ensure that there is a way for them to access all parts of the camp day. For some campers this may mean enlarged print to accommodate a visual impairment or a different snack to accommodate a food allergy.
Every camper has their more difficult days, when keeping their hands to themselves or remembering where they are supposed to be is harder. Far more often, however, we have days when our campers try new things, make connections, and experience personal growth. We believe every person is made b’tzelem elohim. This doesn’t mean without flaws; it does mean that every person plays an important role, just the way they are.
Learning about betzelem elohim this week allowed each chanich (camper) to celebrate, respect, and learn from each person’s contribution to our machane kehillah (camp community).