The Camp Columbia reunion was held on May 16, 2004 in Manhattan. This was an
overwhelmingly emotional event which each of us celebrated in a collective very
personal way (is that possible?).
We are establishing an ongoing "Virtual
Reunion" for Camp Columbia alumni
to keep in touch and share thoughts, experiences and revelations which may spark
more memories for all of us, whether able to attend or not attend the physical
reunion in May 2004.
Following are links to the first two pages of the Virtual Reunion.
Reunion "Awards"
- attempt at humor
"Book of Memories"
- pre-May 16, 2004
| Some people didn't get a chance to share their thoughts in the first version of
the Memory
Book or their bio. Here is a second chance! If you write to us, we will add more pages with your contributions. Send by E-mail to Paul and Mayer Halpern. Example: Share stories you learned from your friends at the reunion which sparked memories - no matter how trivial. Example: What (or who) were you looking for when you came/wanted to come to the reunion. Nostalgic/profound/etc. Example: Write a page funnier than the Reunion "Awards" (or add your own awards) When you submit a contribution, please let us know if you want your name, E-mail, telephone and address to be published with your contribution. If not specified, then we will not publish this information in order to minimize spam and nuisance contacts. |
I would like to make two comments before continuing.
#1: Each participant (whether you showed up, called from Israel or wrote
something in the "Book of Memories") personally performed an
incredible Mitzvah, the impact and magnitude of which you cannot begin to
imagine, by convincing Yaakov, the only person in the world who unbelievably
thought that his 10,000 hours of work and devastating financial loss called Camp
Columbia was a failure, that the Camp was after all a huge success. Your
personal contribution cannot be overstated. May 16, 2004 was the biggest payback
you are likely to witness and you made it happen.
#2: We all owe a great debt of gratitude to Paul, Doni and Lonny who initiated
and organized this historic event. In particular, Paul Jeser's heroism cannot be
described. Paul overcame the law of conservation of energy by somehow putting
together the event, the slides, the yearbooks, the handouts, the long distance
phone calls, etc. In a superhuman show of strength, we learned later that Paul
orchestrated much of this event exuding high spiritual energy (Ruach) with a
continuous smile of his face all day, despite the loss of father two days before
the reunion. Paul is a real Tzadik (Saint Paul?).
We are looking forward to your written contributions to this Camp Columbia
mini-website. We are starting with a couple of webpages...let's see if we can
grow with a few more webpages. If you have something to say, contact Paul
or Mayer by E-mail and when we get
a chance, space providing and/or G-d willing, we will post your contribution
(probably not have enough room for too many pictures).
Marc (Mayer) Halpern
May 17, 2004