This weekend was nothing short of unbelievable. While this may be a short post, let it foreshadow the wealth of fun, excitement, photos, videos et all that will rock this blog for the coming weeks. Check back soon for HUGE updates. Great seeing you all at crossroads.
-Dave
I just got back to DC and I’m still wowed by the weekend. Anyone who was there definitely felt the electricity all weekend long. I could go on forever about how much it meant for me to see my old counselors (some are married with kids on the way) or to see my old campers (they are now counselors). Still, I wanted to list my weekend highlights.
- Fireworks (that awesome rendition of Hey Jude in particular)
- The Tzofim Beit Am Movie (I had goosebumps the entire time)
- Seeing the Tzofim Beit Am renovations completed (it’s like the Camden Yards of Eisner, a modern take on a classic)
- Just walking around and being there.
–Sam
Sam Salkin
Dave Silverstein
Congratulations to Jeff Bank, Corey Cutler, and everyone who worked so hard for so long on what I hear was an amazing, wonderful celebration. Happy Birthday Eisner! All My Love to all my friends from there… Roo
By: Roo on July 27, 2008
at 3:04 am
I just wanted to express my thanks to the reunion committee the AMAZING job that they did. The event was incredibly well organized and run. It was so amazing seeing everyone. It was especially fun seeing how my wonderful Bonim campers grew up. Anyone that remembers me is welcome to e-mail me at Derwins@mindspring.com. I would love to stay in touch. Any of my friends that work mid-town NYC should meet me for lunch. Let’s do this again in 5 years!!
Mark “Gunga” Derwin 1978 – 1985
PS Jeff, Can I mention your name at Virgils to get a better table??
By: Mark "Gunga" Derwin on July 27, 2008
at 12:10 pm
Roo, I love what you said on the documentary. What is your real name? I would love to email you.
Lisa Greenwald
1994-2001
By: lisa on July 27, 2008
at 7:39 pm
The group that put on this 50th Anniversary Reunion did a great job!
What worked was – buses to and from camp from the Fairgrounds, plenty of water bottles and fruit scattered all over camp, and plenty of golf carts…but don’t go there!
I missed Friday night and somebody told me that Rabbi Jeff Ballon was there. I’m sorry I didn’t make it. His dad was the late Rabbi Sidney Ballon at the old Nassau Community Temple in my hometown of West Hempstead NY. Jeff and his siblings, Martha (aka Muff?) and Doug were all at camp during my first year or two there. Jeff ran the waterfront my first year at camp (hubba hubba – quack, quack!). I seem to remember that Martha was a counselor and Doug was a waiter or CIT? Doug was also the “bugler” during Maccabiah and he was good at it…blowing charge, recall and every other thing you can imagine. Doug actually played the French Horn but he blew a mean bugle! It was inspirational.
I’m sure I missed a few other people that would have been fun to see or talk to. Bob Grey? “Yarsh**e!” (Eastern Massachusetts accent intended)
Considering the number of people that were in attendance it seems there was no way to allow swimming of any kind. So despite the heat, it wasn’t so bad after all. I guess the Alums are just going to contribute money earmarked for their own ALUMNI POOL?
Don Kent – we got skunked this year because there was no soccer game due to the tent on “our soccer field”! And to add insult to injury there was no swimming! That’s what they told us a few years ago but it didn’t stop somebody from jumping in anyway! No names please. The pool nazis were bent out of shape about that.
I missed saying goodbye to almost everybody because I had another reunion to get to. Having said that, it was great to see so many old faces…ok, you’re not old. You’re improved since the last time I saw you…40 years ago?
I found part of the Ranch House missing….like Bunk 3 through 7?
Where is it? It used to be over here. Hey, it’s gone! They sold the Ranch House?
It occurred to me that I should say Kaddush for the Ranch House, the latest casualty of progress. At least the clock tower is still standing…but where’s the clock? Say Kaddush for the clock also.
Karl Fink – maybe another time we’ll go see whatever you wrote in the A frame up on the hill…if it hasn’t been painted over. Were you driving the tractor when we got fired? It’s still funny after 40 years. But we won’t repeat it here. We might get in trouble all over again. Something about a camp director?
Betsy Appleton, Anne Levy, Sandy Kirsch, Diane Klein, David Gruber, Mike Berkowitz, the Perlmutter twins, Rabbi Froggy Klein et al….good to see everybody again. See you at the next big one?
A parting thought…I did get photos of most of old camp that seems to be endangered. And some photos of the new buildings but just had to photograph the library in the Manor House with the vaulted ceiling and gold leaf detail and the pipe organ console, or what’s left of it before that goes the way of the statuary and marble.
It is interesting and amazing to see how the camp has progressed and now has 250 staff and 700 campers. 21 waterfront personnel! Contrast that to the lake with 3 lifeguards.
Great Barrington has changed over time but there remains a great spirit within the camp and it’s worth every bit of fresh Berkshire air.
By: Rick Ehrlich on July 27, 2008
at 9:52 pm
so that happened……..
Wow the response has been surreal, without the strong support and dedication of the Eisner staff this event never would have happened.. Louis, Lisa, Greg, Corey, Jon, James, Guy, Sarah, Dave, Rebecca, Lindsey and on and on thank you..
I hope everyone found their “lost” friends.
Help keep the spirit of Eisner you felt this weekend and donate to our scholarship fund or get five of your new/old friends together and contact me about some fun naming opportunities at camp for your group.
Or even better, send me the email addresses of five of your friends who missed the re-union and I will make them an offer they can’t refuse.
I am glad eveyone made the trip and what a trip it was….
Jeff Bank
(can someone loan me $100 dollars?)
By: jeffrey bank on July 27, 2008
at 10:07 pm
For those who were not able to make it for the festivities, is the documentary going to be made available somewhere? From everything I’m reading, it sounds like it was very well done and brought back some fantastic memories.
I feel terrible that I could not be there and hope that I can reunite with old camp friends at some point in the future. Just reading the blog and watching the videos has definitely left me in a nostalgic frame of mind.
And Jeff….I echo Mark’s query. Always a big fan of Virgil’s and Carmine’s (I work right around the corner from both).
Ed Koval 1980-1985
By: Ed Koval on July 27, 2008
at 11:37 pm
While crazy life experiences forced me to miss the Eisner event this past weekend, I am on the receiving end of many messages from everyone that was there – and it is heartwarming, but so bittersweet for me. I hear that the documentary that Adam Freelander and Evyatar Gour was brilliant. I have to congratulate the two of them, as I know how hard they worked on what sounds like a masterpiece. Even Jeff Bank says he was moved close to tears by the film, which is a huge feat. It certainly sounds like everyone kept the “hill alive”. Keep it going…
Roo
Emmaeliza18@hotmail.com
By: Roo on July 28, 2008
at 8:59 am
I am still processing much of what took place this past weekend – it was a surreal event and a profound experience too. Apparently, all of us Klein girls felt the same way about the weekend: for each of us, in it’s own way, the weekend touched us deeply. Whether it was seeing old friends, reliving old memories, feeling like a part of a Jewish community, or simply walking around and being flooded with memories, I feel confident in saying that each of us treasured each moment we spent at Eisner in years past and this past weekend.
It was wonderful to see Barrie and Laurie Greenfield (just like old times!), Debbie Speyer, Lisa Weinstein, Robbie Katz (my little brother), Matt and Rhonda Lees, (Rabbi) Larry Freedman, and to see the spirit that is so alive in the campers of today.
To share that all with my best friend after 32 years, whom I met at camp in the summer of 1976, was for me, the most remarkably profound experience of all.
By: Diane Klein on July 29, 2008
at 12:07 am
Simply stated, it was magic for me to be part of the celebration, to see so many dear friends, and to be physically at Eisner again. My deep and heartfelt thanks to Corey, Jeff, Lisa and everyone else who brought this idea to life and provided an opportunity to feel the warm embrace and love of Eisner after far too many years.
Love,
Dan Tarman (1980-85).
By: Dan Tarman on July 29, 2008
at 12:05 pm
I have to say – although I was only able to come on Saturday, this reunion was so good for the soul. A rush of great memories brought back by seeing old friends – all looking pretty fabulous for 25 years of wear and tear since I saw them last, I must say.
The final kicker? My kids, not yet going to Eisner, started to get weepy as we were leaving because they wanted to stay – they were having such a great time. Nice 5 year out sales tactic Eisner!!! Nothing sells a kid like wonderful song sessions, softball playing, lots of laughing and two huge inflatable jumping toys.
By: Gary Freilich on July 29, 2008
at 6:52 pm
Though we had planned to go for so long, I was unable to be there last weekend due to an extended family member who is seriously ill. I am so sorry to have missed the big event. Though my family and I get to go out to camp each Fall for Temple retreats, there is nothing like having a chance to see faces of so many whom I shared such special memories with. Next summer I will have a chance to return as a parent when my oldest daughter comes as a first time camper. That I can’t wait for! I did hear from those who attended that that weekend was incredible. Great job to all of those who worked so hard to make it all possible.
Looking forward to checking out the blog as more people share.
Heidi (Klopfer) Sisenwine
By: Heidi (Klopfer) Sisenwine on July 31, 2008
at 3:39 pm
I am so sorry I missed what looked like an incredible event but I was in Israel until this week with my family…Not a bad place to be BUT Eisner is just as much a home as Israel is for many of us …Let all of our memories not fade and we should all committ ourselves to making sure Eisner and Jewish camping is around for generations ….
On a tangent
I will be posting an old video very soon as soon as I get it transfered from VHS that shows what went on behind the scenes while at Rest Hour around crossroads circa 1990ish.
By: Scott Brockman on August 1, 2008
at 10:53 am
I must admit: I was unprepared for the intensity of that weekend. I was in a mild daze for 2-3 upon returning home from that Brigadoon for Jews weekend. What a fantastic opportunity to reconnect to a special time and place, to long-lost friends and a previous self. Congrats and thanks to those who pulled off some serious professional-grade event planning (and filmmaking!) — far more than anyone has a right to expect from a collection of well-meaning ex-campers.
By: Mark Katz on August 14, 2008
at 6:48 pm