50 years ago the first IHOP opened and NASA was first established. People were amazed when instant noodles first went on the market. Prince (or whatever he is called these days) was born. Times have changed, that’s for sure.
We want to see Eisner through the ages. In honor of the event coming up we wanted to give all alumni the opportunity to help in creating a timeline. Every year changes occur at Eisner Camp, buildings get built and taken down, mega events occur, the culture of camp moves forward and shifts etc. We want to plot every substantial happening at Eisner to truly see the evolution of the camp over the course of its history.
You need to fill in the blanks, expand upon what others have left, or even correct history if you think corrections must be made. We have take the time to start this timeline off, jotting down some large-scale happenings to get your memories flowing. The rest lies with you!
Click below to expand the link into our timeline. If you have a addition or correction, just post a comment below and we’ll edit the post!
- 1958– First year of camp! Pioneer campers and counselors work to convert the old green houses into the Beit K’Nesset, Eisner’s first prayer space.–Those in the makeshift infirmary would have contests to see who could kill the most flies with roll-up magazines.–Contributed by Whitney Weinstein Goodman
- 1959-The Hershman Dining Hall catches fire.
- 1960-
- 1961-
- 1962-
- 1963-
- 1964-Sy Brief comes on as director of Eisner Camp.–Contributed by Rabbi Larry Schuval
- 1965- The windows on the Beit K’nesset were painted for the first time with scenes depicting different Jewish holidays. While the windows have been repainted from time to time, this tradition still lasts until today. –Contributed by Judith Freedman Caplan Beit K’nesset Greenhouse “pits” were filled in with dirt and concrete to make a complete ’smooth’ floor for our benches.–Contributed by Michael Ehrlich
- 1966-
- 1967-
- 1968-Michael Isacson writes his melody for V’ahavta that has become a “standard” at Eisner. –Contributed by Michael Isacson Josh Sanborn becomes the director of Eisner Camp.–Contributed by Rabbi Larry Schuval
- 1969- All of camp watched on a black and white television as Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. —Contributed by Linda Birnbaum The “Dishwasher Crowd” (i.e. Karl Fink, David Gruber, Paul Fink etc.) coined the term “MUNG,” thus renaming Eisner’s favorite chocolate mystery dessert.–Contributed by Michael Ehrlich
- 1970-Nobel Prize winning author Isaac Bashevis Singer and composer Robert Strassburg taught Haggigah at Eisner camp.–Contributed by Michael Isacson
- 1971-
- 1972-
- 1973-Jeff Klepper and Danny Freelander write their melody for “Shalom Rav” at Eisner Camp.
- 1974-The band The Aztec Two Step plays a show at Eisner Camp.–Contributed by Ellen (Pearl) Pollen Chalutzim helped to rebuilt and update the outdoor sanctuary making a mosaic art piece in from the ark, creating new benches etc.– Contributed by Susan Klein Camp ends early due to campers coming down with pnuemonia.–Contributed by Randi Epstein The entire camp listens to a radio broadcast of Nixon’s resignation speech in the dining hall. The Ranch House bell rings (for the last time) in honor of this political event.–Contributed by Nina Jaroslaw and Whitney Weinstein Goodman
- 1975-
- 1976- Famous folk singer and artist Tom Paxton puts on a show stopping performance for Eisner Camp. Cantor Norman Swirling becomes camp director. –Contributed by Rabbi Howie Jaffe The first Chaverim program was initiated by Nili Weissman and they lived behind the dining hall.– Contributed by Helene Marcus and Nina Jaroslaw
- 1977-
- 1978-Eisner Camp initiates the fist installation of the Machon Leadership Program.–Contributed by Rabbi Howie Jaffe
- 1979- Salmonella breaks out at Eisner camp and the Bonim Beit Am converts into an extension of the infirmary to house campers.
- 1980-Chalutzim, the name of Eisner’s oldest unit, changes to Olim. The New Facility opens at Eisner Camp. The Kivie Kaplan Center was built and dedicated. –Contributed by Eric R.
- 1981- The Machon program is first established. –Contributed by Rabbi Howie Jaffe
- 1982-The entire camp walks to the Mahaiwe Theater on Great Barrington’s Main St. to attend Steven Spielberg’s “ET.” Rabbi Eric Gurvis leads the first ever “Eisner in Israel” trip. –Contributed by Roo.
- 1983-Olim breaks maccabi in the Newf – Rich Stoerger, dressed as animal, breaks through the movie screen just as the character does in the Muppet Movie. –-Contributed by Corey Cutler
- 1984-Dean Friedman comes to camp and plays his hit “Ariel” for camp. Dedication of the Russell Daum Facility.
- 1985-The first pool opens at Eisner Camp in the middle of the summer.
- 1986- Ricky Schiffman writes the camp anthem “Over the Rafters,” drawing inspiration from the plaques in the Tzofim Beit Am. Eisner Camp staff features “Eisner Aid,” an all day music festival event to raise awareness and support for Soviet Jewry. Ralph Kurland comes in as Director of Eisner Camp.
- 1987-
- 1988-
- 1989-Olim takes its first trip to Montreal. A video is made and shown to camp at final banquet. Contributed by Dave Rosenberg
- 1990-David Friedman comes in as Director of Eisner Camp.
- 1991- During turbulent times in Israel, camp created the Avodah program as an alternative. Avodah paid to work at camp for a summer. –Contributed by Nina Berkowitz
- 1992-Mitzvah Max rules camp for the summer as the Limud character.
- 1993-Olim departs for Montreal for the first time.
- 1994- Camp grows so much that single shift meals in the Chadar Ochel become a thing of the past as camp transitions to a two-shift system
- 1995-Batting cages get put up next to the softball field. Eisner Day Camp moves from the basement of Kivie Kaplan Center to the Day Camp Pavilion. Shortly before the summer, a tornado ripped through camp and destroyed the original Bunk 36 – Siberia. –Contributed by Michael Fried
- 1996-Alpine tower opens. Y-Guy (Yisrael Guy) takes Eisner by storm as the summer’s Limud Character.
- 1997-The lap pool opens at the end of first session. Another tornado in the Berkshires forces camp to relocate underground until the storm passes. Luckily, it comes nowhere near Eisner.
- 1998-
- 1999- Louis Bordman takes over the helm as Camp Director. Summer 1999 marked the return of campers to the legendary Bunk 29 after several decades of haunting. –Contributed by Michael Fried.
- 2000-The new Hockey Pavilion opens. The New Facility is demolished and a tent is put up in preparation for…
- 2001- The Freelander Family Dining Hall opens and camp begins its transition back to single shift meals.
- 2002-
- 2003-
- 2004-The new Beit Am opens at camp and acts as a new all purpose room for a variety of activities and a new setting for Shabbat song sessions.
- 2005-
- 2006-
- 2007-
- 2008-
Dave Silverstein
Sam Salkin
Keeping the Hill Alive 
I will not be attending, if it was a long weekend maybe but not worth the drive from Long Island for what’s basically a 24 hour event. Thanks
By: Bat on July 8, 2008
at 2:53 pm
1989 was actually the first Olim Montreal trip. They made a video of the trip and showed it after banquet on the last night.
By: Dave Rosenberg on July 8, 2008
at 2:56 pm
I was just about to write the same thing as Dave Rosenberg!
By: Jackie (Finkel) Kauff on July 8, 2008
at 3:03 pm
Shortly before the Summer of 1995, a tornado ripped through camp and destroyed the original Bunk 36 – Siberia.
Also, Summer 1999 marked the return of campers to the legendary Bunk 29 after several decades of haunting.
By: Michael Fried on July 8, 2008
at 3:08 pm
In 1965 I helped design and paint stained glass like, windows of the Beit Knesset ( part of the original greenhouses for the estate.) The windows were holidays themed – I know I designed Shavout and help to paint Shabbat. I doubt this building is still standing, but I still consider this one of the great projects I have owrked on in my life.
By: Judith Freedman Caplan on July 8, 2008
at 3:19 pm
1969- All of camp watched on a black and white television as Neil Armstrong walked on the moon
By: Linda Birnbaum on July 8, 2008
at 3:58 pm
The summer of 1982 was the year of the very first “Eisner in Israel” trip. The group, led by Rabbi Eric Gurvis, included Eisnerites: Jeff Bank, Evan Edelbaum, Leslie Elsner, Mark Greenberg, Karen Halfon, Jeffrey Hendler, Susan Hanover, Staci Insler, Jason Kahner, Debra Raizin, Roo Roos, Dan Tarman and Becky Walzer.
By: Roo on July 8, 2008
at 4:02 pm
You might like to add to the blog timeline that in 1970 0r 1971? (I think – check with Josh Jacobson) I was at Eisner and wrote my setting of V’ahavta.
That same year There was a Haggigah that Josh Jacobson and I attended in the Manor House. Isaac Bashevis Singer and composer Robert Strassburg taught there.
By: Michael Isacson on July 8, 2008
at 4:11 pm
1976- Unit Chaverim was formed for one summer only- Counselor Nili, formerly Barbara (last name?) started this unit, and we lived behind the kitchen!
By: helene marcus on July 8, 2008
at 4:58 pm
1976 – Cantor Norman Swerling becomes camp director
1978 – Machon progam is intiiated
By: Howard Jaffe on July 8, 2008
at 5:14 pm
Michael, your contribution to the creation of “American Nusach” has been understated (though certainly not undervalued!) The Jewish Arts Festival was convened in 1967 (or 1968?) by Cantor Ray Smolover. In any event, the first songs of yours to become camp standards (during my first summer, 1968 – Ramie Arian and David Altshuler were songleaders) were Lecha Dodi and Ahavat Olam. Those two songs were the catalyst for everything that followed. Lecha Dodi is well known, but Ahavat Olam less so, which is a shame because it is tremendous. With your permission I would like to post my recording of Ahavat Olam on jeffklepper.com…
By: Jeff Klepper on July 8, 2008
at 5:24 pm
Does anybody know when the first English people came to Eisner. I realise it wasn’t me and Lewis (1992) but it would be nice to know
By: Paul Goldsmith on July 8, 2008
at 5:26 pm
Shalom (to anyone who remembers me from the 70s)! Sorry won’t be attending (especially since I’m not too far outside of the Boston area), but will JUST have returned from a couple of weeks in Hawai’i, and will most likely be totally wiped out!
“Shalom Rav” I remember!!!!!
Would LOVE to hear from any old Eisner pals, though!
Have a blast, everyone!
Love,
Craig Howard
PSEUDOL@aol.com
By: Craig Howard on July 8, 2008
at 5:30 pm
I seem to remember Aztec Two Step doing a camp wide concert one summer, possibly in 1974. Or did I just dream that up? Also, does anyone know what happened to the talented and personable Louie Dobin?
By: Ellen (Pearl) Pollen on July 8, 2008
at 6:01 pm
1980 KKC was dedicated. I was in bunk 7, my first summer and bored to tears.
By: Eric R on July 8, 2008
at 6:15 pm
I remember going to Tanglewood, Jacob’s Pillow and Berkshire Playhouse many times in the summer’s of 1960/61. There were only about 125 campers in the whole camp and we all fit into the Tzofim Beit Am.We were the youngest girls and lived in the Pavillion. We used all the original Estate buildings – the Ranch House was a boy’s bunk and the Infirmary. All the services were held in the Beit Knesset. It was so different then!
By: Halli Greenberg Paquette on July 8, 2008
at 6:16 pm
1963-
we all sang “corn flakes and milk”/the teen program was a “work program” (which should be brought back it was so incredible) – we grew all the corn (I think) for the camp and worked doing all kinds of jobs such as cleaning the creek that feeds the pond where everyone swam, weeded the wonderful Manor House gardens which no longer exist, painted many a building and did the stain glass (painting) of the twelve tribes for the Beit Knesset which was used only when it wasn’t raining and so we couldn’t sit outside under the trees for daveening/went to the Music Barn in Stockbridge (which also no longer exists) at least once a week and saw the likes of Cab Calloway,
Pete Seeger, and Joan Baez (in the Pittsfield HS gym) where she introduced her friend whom nobody could stand listening to cause his voice was such a raunch when it was our turn to have the record player in our coop/bunk (I had brought up “Freewheelin”) – but who’s laughing now?! /in the afternoons we had “classes” where I and I suppose most others were first introduced to the question of “does it exist if you can see it” brand of philosophy – I think therefore I am stuff – and am still wondering if I do! and many other wonderful events and day-to-day life.
I now live in the area and so should be there, but one never knows……
By: Alice Marks on July 8, 2008
at 7:24 pm
I was in tzofim in bunk 2 in 1964. In 1964, the camp director was Sy Brief. In 1968 I was in the meltzarim (waiters and waitresses) in the bunk behind the Chadar Ohel. I believe Cantor Raymond Smallover came to camp that summer and introduced Edge of Freedom. I still have the original LP record. In 1968 the camp director the Josh Sanborn. In 1969 I was part of the maintenance staff at camp and worked with Jon Nichols the superintendent. Sorry that I can’t make the reunion.
By: Rabbi Larry Schuval on July 8, 2008
at 9:02 pm
1965- Beit K’nesset Greenhouse “pits” were filled in with dirt and concrete to make a complete ‘smooth’ floor for our benches.
By: Michael Ehrlich on July 8, 2008
at 9:28 pm
In 1991 Avodah was brought about as an alternative to the NFTY trip… Things were rough in Israel at the time, and a lot of our parents wouldn’t let us go. Instead, our parents paid for us to work at camp. Go figure.
By: Nina Berkowitz on July 8, 2008
at 9:51 pm
Hard to believe it’s not worth the drive from Long Island…I’m flying from Michigan to Conn. and then driving! I don’t remember which year, but one of my Chalutzim projects was building a fence near the outdoor sanctuary! I was soooo proud of those nails I banged into it that I showed my family on visiting day! Anyone remember Arden Sterling…from Massapequa.( Soccer star) One of many boyfriends….I was a camper before we called it Eisner….it was Camp Institute to us!
See you soon.
Is David Gruber coming????
By: Betsy on July 8, 2008
at 11:01 pm
remember going to see the Lovin Spoonful, Beau Brummels, Young Rascals, Simon and Garfunkel-
all camp trips.
Betsy, Have a look at the “who’s coming”. Gruber is on the list.
I spoke to Freddy Bernstein yesterday in CA.
Was it 1968 when Redwood Tzofim was renamed
Resurection City due to all the rain. Looked like the Washington Mall Protest.
I remember Bob Anolik smashing his hand on the ceiling of the canteen in Ranch House while imitating Peter Townsend -woodstock year. I think they went to the concert.69?
I remember Darral Mallah making me stand outside Pavillion in front of the Urn holding boat oars with arms outstretched for what seemed like hours, due to being caught on a girls bunk raid (hilltop)-1965. I’ll see you soon Darral!LOL.
What year did Schlomo Carlbach come to Eisner?
69?
remember choc. milk in glass bottles and crackers for snack?
tractor rides?
moving pianos on the flatbed attached to the tractor.
Who coined the word MUNG? Karl Fink? David Gruber? I believe it came from the dishwasher crowd. Maybe it was Phil Gould. what year? 69?
pay attention. questions will be asked later……
By: Michael Ehrlich on July 9, 2008
at 12:35 am
Bob Anolik smashed his hand in 1970. He was my counselor for Bunk I in Tzofim. A bootleg videotape of the concerti is available on line. Bob was the best counselor I ever had. He was the greatest joke teller I have ever heard. The next year in Chalutzim, those of us who were lucky enough to have had him as a counselor would take turns retelling his jokes. I believe we might have catalogued them and given them numbers. When he showed up on visiting day and told us some stories from his work in a hospital, we were in stitches.
I turned thirteen in the summer of 1969 and Bob got the entire bunk very much into Tommy. I bought the album the day after I got home and was listening to it and my father asked me, probably only half in jest, “Is that what you learned at camp, See Me, Feel Me, Touch Me, Heal Me”?
By: David Oppenheimer on July 9, 2008
at 4:50 am
Please correct the year that I wrote V’ahavta at Eisner. After conferring with my esteemed colleague Professor Joshua Jacobson, director of the Zamir Chorale in Boston, i learned that it was in 1968. Happy 40th birthday to one of NFTY’s favorite songs. I believe I wrote Ma Gadlu the year before at Kutz Camp.
I’ve gone on to compose and publish more than 500 settings and have made 50 CDs but those two tunes composed in 67 and 68 have been embraced by NFTY.
Whatever happened to the Haggigah program? It was begun on a really high level. Boy, do we need it today!
Michael Isaacson
By: Michael Isacson on July 9, 2008
at 10:07 am
In 1974 I was in Chalutzim and our work project was to build (or rebuild) the outdoor sanctuary. We dug post holes, sawed, sanded, painted, hammered and nailed the benches into position, and created a mosaic that lay in front of the newly created ark. It was one of my favorite experiences at Eisner.
We also repainted all the windows of the indoor sanctuary, continuing the theme of the 12 Tribes. I think we also built a mini golf course near the office.
While in Shomrim in ’75, my favorite memories include singing “Sweet Baby James” to help pass the time as we swept the floor of the dining hall, and of course, hanging out at Crossroads.
Can’t wait to see everyone at the reunion!
By: Susan Klein on July 9, 2008
at 11:21 am
Aug,1974–while I wasn’t yet a camper, I often heard a story about the day Nixon resigned–something about a bell ringing at Ranch House for the last time? Can someone clear that up.
Boy do I remember the Salmonella epidemic of 1979. Those of us who lived in the Bonim Beit Am that summer had a contest to see who could kill the most flies with our rolled up magazines!!!
There was a different epidemic every year–between Salmonella, Eisner Itch (a rash from the fiberglass docks), strep throat and lice. My reward for surviving all those epidemics was getting to work in the infirmary my Machon year!
Whitney
By: Whitney Weinstein Goodman on July 9, 2008
at 12:54 pm
1974-I was in Chalutzim and had to leave several days early – pneumonia. I think I remember that the entire camp actually was sent home early as well.
By: Randi Epstein on July 9, 2008
at 3:58 pm
August 8, 1974: I remember being in the dining hall and listening to Nixon’s resignation speech. I may even remember wine being served…could it have been Shabbat?
By: Randi Epstein on July 9, 2008
at 4:10 pm
Whitney Weinstein (hello, Whitney; I was your counselor, along w/Robin Eig who, I just found out, is coming to the reunion) asked about the ringing of the Ranch House bell after Nixon resigned in 1974. I have a distinct memory of this event. I was really young, and my political consciousness, such as it was, had been formed by association and appropriation — I knew (from my parents, who lived with our family in a town full of Republicans; through my fascination with all things transgressive and progressive, and from the Eisner staff, revered by me, Nixon-haters all) that Dirty Dick was a rat. The entire camp, as I remember, sat in the dining hall and listened to a broadcast of Nixon resigning. Then, we ran maniacally through camp, yelping with joy, a joy that I knew was righteous and vivid but which I couldn’t wholey understand, as that bell pealed from Ranch House. I will never forget, nor have I ever again known, the pure rapture of participating in a world-rupturing political moment.
Also, the last name of the counselor who apparently led the first Chaverim unit — “Nili”, nee “Barb” — was Weissman. I know this because she was my counselor my first year at Eisner — she was still “Barb” then — and she was an extraordinary and luminous person. When she returned to camp a couple years later as “Nili, ” acutely observant in a way that baffled me, I could not fathom the transformation. It was my hope that she would attend the reunion, because she alone made me feel witnessed, when I was a lonely little kid who liked to write and who hated her chubby legs.
By: Nina Jaroslaw on July 9, 2008
at 7:05 pm
Nina,
Thanks for detailing the Nixon story, I knew it was something special. Of course I remember you and Robin well. And from a quick search of my yearbooks you were my counselor in 1979 and my sister Dana’s in 1981. Saw a lot of your brother David at Cornell.
Looking forward to seeing you and your family.
Whitney
By: whitney weinstein goodman on July 9, 2008
at 9:40 pm
Sicha and Hebrew class–Amnan, Rabbi Rose…in various places, Green House lawn, Quadrangle,
a grassball fight is a grassball fight. Laughed and actually learned in Hebrew class with my dear friend Judy Cohen, may her spirit shine in our hearts at the reunion.
By: Lisa Kohn on July 9, 2008
at 10:35 pm
1983 – Olim breaks maccabi in the Newf – Rich Stoerger, dressed as animal, breaks through the movie screen just as the character does in the Muppet Movie. Best break ever (IMHO)
By: Corey Cutler on July 10, 2008
at 12:17 pm
Seconded Corey, I was there too (although yet to meet you and the fabric of your life sweetheart).
By: Eric R on July 10, 2008
at 5:09 pm
I remember in 1979 when everyone was sick I changed the words to the song Good Love. I’m flying in from San Francisco to attend this event. I’m really looking forward to it. See you all there!
By: Robin Eig on July 10, 2008
at 7:48 pm
remember Hank Sawitz and Jerry Breeger music leaders, Marc Best, Steve Weitzner, Eli Asher and Paula? , Cantor Asher,
what about riding the bulls in the field below the chalutz bunks? Remember Ralph, the grounds keeper and his honda 50? Overnites up to lookout point? The mansion junk store on RT 7 next to Zayres and Adams. hitchhiking out of camp?
Swimming in the lake? Eating in the old dining room above the marble dock? Bernie (whistle) the dance teacher? Steve Weitzner’s jaguar MK 9?
Alice’s Restaurent? and the Church? Josh’s pycho mecabbiah break-(girl attacked) checking for blood under all the boys fingernails!!! What an AH.
I”m taking my memory pills so there will be more.
by the way- get involved: http://www.moveon.org/
By: Michael Ehrlich on July 10, 2008
at 8:53 pm
Camp ended 2 or 3 days early in summer 1972 because of a pneumonia that sent a few campers to the hospital. For all purposes, the health department closed us down. Because of the change I never got my last staff day off!
By: Leslie on July 11, 2008
at 9:45 am
1973 The first Shomrim. We waited every meal, every day, with no time off except for saturday lunch. Cold cuts were put out after breakfast saturday morning, and everyone made a bag lunch. 20 meals for each of us!It was a crazy, exhausting schedule!
We put on “Guys and Dolls” at the bandshell that summer, and the stage collapsed…anyone remember that?
and yes Craig Howard, I remember you!
By: Janice Birnbaum on July 11, 2008
at 4:47 pm
I was in Bonim Bunk 6 the summer Nixon resigned. My brother Rob (Bunk 5) came to find me when my counselor Buddy Voit (hi Buddy!) announced the news. We had spent the previous four months sitting on a couch watching the Watergate hearings while the rest of our friends were watching Scooby-Doo. We hated Nixon and when we experienced the news of his resignation together, something really weird happened: we hugged. Later that evening, Rob and I and our cousin Charles Brettner (also at camp that summer) celebrated by running around Pavillion in our underwear with rolls of toilet paper threaded by a plunger unfurling in our wake, yelling “NIXON IS A CROOK!” NIXON IS A CROOK!” Not exactly Paul Revere’s midnight ride but momentous just the same.
By: Mark Katz on July 11, 2008
at 5:09 pm
Great to read everyone’s comments. Machon first appeared in 1977, Ira “Ducky” Schweitzer and Betsy Best were the unit heads. We each spent one month working somewhere in camp and the other month as a CIT. We all switched in the middle of the summer. Howie, I know you wouldn’t believe this if Stuart posted it, but we are sure of the dates as well as the fact that we got married 12 years later.
We have also confierred on a few other items. Camp did not close early in 1974.
For 1976, I think that was the first year there was a Gold team for Maccabiah. I may be wrong. Those were the days, when Shomrim broke and ran Maccabiah.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the 50th anniversary event.
Debbie Y. and Stuart Schwartz.
By: Debbie Youngelman on July 11, 2008
at 6:13 pm
I was there that morning Neil Armstrong walked the Moon. I was in the Chaultzim and we got up VERY early and gathered in the Chalutz barn to watch. It was quite an event.
By: Paul K. Katz on July 11, 2008
at 6:45 pm
Robin Eig – I can’t wait to see you!!! I am so happy to hear that you will be at the reunion. I am coming up for the weekend with my 13 year old son Eli (who is at Eisner now) and I am meeting Sue Mandel (Giblin) up there too.
By: Andree Kaminsky on July 11, 2008
at 7:09 pm
1994 – The last summer of Avodah…
Were we really campers?
We travelled the ‘secret path’ behind Olim Hill to get to Subway for ‘real food’.
We didn’t have counselors in the bunk!
Nina Berkowitz – you said it best! “In 1991 Avodah was brought about as an alternative to the NFTY trip… Things were rough in Israel at the time, and a lot of our parents wouldn’t let us go. Instead, our parents paid for us to work at camp. Go figure!”
By: Lauren Ochs Goldfarb on July 11, 2008
at 8:08 pm
In 1984 an art Chug, lead by Joanne Magnus made the Ark that was at the outdoor sanctuary for many years. It was a mosaic of creation, made of tiles. The group went to the tile store on Rt. 7 in Great Barrington that is still there. Some members of the group were Terri Sash, Carrie Kramer, and Andrea Hessel
By: Terri Sash on July 11, 2008
at 8:41 pm
1964 – The A-Frames on top of the hill above the corn field open for second session. They were not ready for first session. We were then called Pioneers. I was Counselor with Robert Goodman. Campers included, Steve (now Rabbi )Klein, Marc Best, Shelly Mallah
By: Doug Weigler on July 11, 2008
at 8:55 pm
1991: In the fall of 1991, all of the remaining “Marble” in camp (the dock, the fountain, the bridge) are disassembled and removed from camp. Rumor is that the fountain was sold to Liberace. Can anyone confirm?
By: Beth Grossfeld on July 11, 2008
at 10:23 pm
1979 – My first summer at Eisner (thanks to Cantor Swerling, who was the cantor of my shul – North Shore Synagogue in Syosset, and the way that I learned of Eisner); while salmonella (or, as we sang “Sam & Ella” was leaving the bunks empty Imagine being a brand new camper, such as myself, coming into that!), one good thing that happened was Rabbi Arthur Starr welcomed dinner from the outside world as the “Colonel”… KFC has never been greeted so enthusiastically. I remember walking by the infirmary on my very first day wearing my Maxell Tape Shirt, which said on the back “Have you got it” – Kids yelled out from the infirmary windows at me, which at the moment seemed very strange, till I learned that everyone was calling the salmonella outbreak “the Eisner It” and saying “I got “IT” Did you get “IT?”
Needless to say, I never wore that shirt again.
I also wanted to comment that I remember the corn flakes and milk song!!! I’d forgotten that one! And, yes, I remember being there when Dean came on July 4th. That was a great night, and it was helpful to hear him explain the stories behind the songs! Who remembers going to see Peter, Paul & Mary and hearing Mary sing “Dodi Li”? THAT was way cool. So many great memories over the course of the 29 years I’ve had Eisner in my life! May my kids be as fortunate!
By: Leslie Keats Grossman on July 11, 2008
at 11:45 pm
Actually, I think camp ended early in 1972 because Great Barrington health inspectors cited us for poor hygiene in the kitchen. I think that’s why people were sick! The guy who ran the kitchen that summer was an ex-navy guy who was also an irresponsible alcoholic. I don’t remember his name (sorry, a senior moment). He left a bunch of 17 -19 year old kids to run the kitchen (I know because I was one of them). We had no idea what we were doing, although we somehow managed to turn out three meals a day. I remember boiling zillions of eggs for breakfast and making humungous pots of oatmeal.
I am amazed that I still know ALL of the words to the camp anthem and can remember singing it at a campfire on the waterfront. The pond used to be really nice! You could hear all kinds of frogs at night.
Does anyone remember Maccabiah being announced with white rolls stuffed with blue cream cheese, or am I hallucinating?
Michael Ehrlich, I remember those concerts plus going to Jacob’s Pillow and Tanglewood, and Saratoga Springs to see Emerson, Lake and Palmer, too.
By: Cindy Gray on July 12, 2008
at 1:17 am
What happened to me in the camp?… for some people it may seem to be not very exciting, but those who I’m writing about will understand: I met the finest guys! You’re the BEST! (Hill top, 2005:)
By: Oxana the 2nd on July 12, 2008
at 5:54 am
On one shabbat in 1965 ,when the camp was small enough for everyone to fit in the dining room ,by the marble doc..insecticides were sprayed in there on shabbat .Apparently it landed on the challah that had already been placed on the tables.Everyone in the camp had diarrhea & we had to stand in line at the infirmary & get a YUCKY dose of cod lover oil so we could purge the poison.
We quickly learned the hebrew word for diarrhea…
shilshul!
By: Amy Silverman Berkowitz on July 12, 2008
at 8:41 am
Robin — Yes! Your song! It was called, “Ick.” I remember singing it relentlessly as campers crashed one after another like floppy dominoes. “Yeah… you’ve got to have Ick!”
Wow.
Someone mentioned a bunk called “Siberia.” I have a vague memory of it. Where was it? What was it? Ralph the groundskeeper rings a bell. And you know, I think that there actually might have been wine at the Nixon resignation gathering in the dining hall.
Does anyone remember the summer (perhaps we were in an early iteration of Machon?) when we tried to simulate kibbutz life and planted tons of vegetables in a field — on Chalutzim hill, I think? We grew a lot of corn. We served the veggies to camp for supper a few times, I (incorrectly?) remember….
There was a dance leader named Debbie Levitan whom I revered. She seemed impossibly cool to me, as did a guy named Eugene who had incredibly long hair that he wore in a thick braid.
By: Nina Jaroslaw on July 12, 2008
at 9:39 am
July 4, 1976 we heard throughout camp “Haksheevu, Haksheevu Na… the hostages have been released”. This was in reference to Operation Thunderbolt when the Israeli Defense Force had a successful rescue mission to free the hostages in Entebbe, Uganda. This inspired a new song sung at the annual July 4th song session… “Won’t his face be green on General Amin, to see Israeli’s flying back to home… he ranted and he roard, but they were safe aboard, goodbye Uganda, Israel SHALOM!”
By: Roo on July 12, 2008
at 12:41 pm
I remember watching the moon landing in the tzofim bet am in 1969. We all brought out sleeping bags in and watched and waited.
In 1970 when I was in Chalutzim we grew corn (and hid in the fields to miss our limud classes) and we weeded and tended to the formal gardens
My first year in 1968 was I believe Redwoods 2nd year and it WAS called Resurection city. There was also a unit called Meltzarim (going into 10th grade) that waited on the tables
By: Leslie Resnick on July 12, 2008
at 1:20 pm
To Alice Marks – I remember singing “cornflakes and milk” in 1961!
One more memory – in 1960 we had a mock Democratic convention. It was very exciting – Kennedy won.
By: Halli Greenberg Paquette on July 12, 2008
at 5:26 pm
1991 – Nasim Shalom, Eisner’s first album recorded. I’d say it went gold, but lots of people got it.
By: Mike "Animal" Hoffman on July 12, 2008
at 6:38 pm
I remember the summer of ’71; Paul Schrauer was the camp director, I arrived from Rochester, NY with his niece, Ellen Meyer (my college roommate) and Ed Brown- both who were Bonim counselors. I was a Chalutzim counselor with Nancy Rosenberg, Shira, and Jan. I remember singing “Cornflakes and Milk”; song leaders Merri, Raimie, and Jeff.
Our mornings were spent weeding the formal gardens; harvesting corn the last week of camp. We had study sessions with Rabbi “Joe” Levine- the subject that summer was Buber’s “I and Thou:
Part of our cultural experience that summer was visits from Chabad female teenagers from Massachusetts.
We swam in the ‘lake’; the marble docks were slippery. I remember Ellen and I hitchhiking to Tanglewood, and a limousine (with chauffeur) who drove us back to camp admonishing us for our risky behavior. I remember visiting day as parents arrived in their high heels and gourmet food baskets. After Shabbat services we woud stroll through the formal gardens; the manor house with the beautiful furniture and paintings, How special we felt walking down from the hill to the outdoor sanctuary dressed in white and singing. We sang “Machar” Ma Gad Lu (My Guy Lou), and “The Chicken” song along with Israeli dancing to Nigun a Tik (sic). It was wondeful to return many years later to work on Ed staff in 1993-99, with my son Jeremy, a camper from Bonim through his Israel trip- was an incredible experience; we’ll be flying in from Baltimore to attend the reunion!
By: Barb (Goldman) Finer on July 13, 2008
at 8:17 am
The mung dates and originators appear to be incorrect. I do believe Mung came from the stuff that was returned on food plates that the dishwashers had to deal with. I was told by David Gruber that Mung predated him. That would put the mung about 1968 or possibly 67.
Anyone remember the early swimming buddy board and the painted milk bottle caps? red/white/blue?
Remember the waterfront when it was in front of Pavillion?
By: Michael Ehrlich on July 13, 2008
at 12:51 pm
Cindy,
I was em’d a pic with me in the kitchen which I believe was 72. dishwasher I think. Maybe cooking, I can’t remember. Gary was there. send me your em addy and I’ll foward the pic, or get it from Jill. I think she sent it to me. (pic shows the kitchen crew, and I thought you were working kitchen that year, but you’re not in the pic. Maybe you took the pic!
By: Michael Ehrlich on July 13, 2008
at 2:51 pm
Wasn’t mung some kind of gross green or yellow or pink instant tapioca pudding that we had in those little dishes, which then became “mung dishes”?
Michael, I was definitely in the kitchen that year (72). I was officially the “salad chef”, I think, which was just a fancy name for a lettuce washer/carrot peeler. I was exactly the same age as my daughter is now, and not remotely as mature!
I will contact Jill for your e-mail address…
By: Cindy Gray on July 13, 2008
at 8:59 pm
Hi Andree! I was really happy to see that both you and Sue Mandel were on the list. It’s only been about 25 years!! Nina the song was called Eisner IT and we sang: Eisner It, hey now you’ve got to sh_t!!!
Can’t wait to see you guys!!
By: Robin Eig on July 13, 2008
at 10:34 pm
So many memories come rushing back.
In 1963 there was still an archery range and perhaps for a few more years there was archery but eventually it moved from the original location as the dining room moved also and so things changed.
I remember the clay tennis courts and clay basketball court. The basketball players who really played hard got filthy with the red clay and I’ve never seen another clay basketball court anywhere. There were rollers to roll the tennis courts and probably some brooms of some kind but it’s hard to remember. I do remember an old athletic shed that was behind the Ranch House and that was where all the equipment for softball and other sports was stored.
Sy Brief was the camp director beginning in 1963. What a nice man Sy was. A regular fella. Not a jerk at all like some other Camp Directors some of us had the unfortunate experience of knowing.
I just remembered that I visited the camp in 1962 and met the director Paul Stoopack. Another nice fellow. The camp was so small back then that the Camp Director knew everyone by name and even knew their nick-names.
I think it was 1964 that my fellow campers took a little trip down the mighty Housatonic River by canoe. Did I spell Housatonic correctly? I distinctly remember one of our merry campers running the bow of his canoe into a sand bar. As he jumped out to push off he suddenly sunk like a stone up to his neck as he stepped off the sandbar into a roaring rapids of ugh… what are those irregular shaped little brown things floating around your head as you are trying to get back into the canoe?
Perhaps it was in 1965 that I undertook the exciting qualification for the Red Cross Junior Lifesaving at the camp in our lake. Now the lake is fed from a stream that comes from the mountain. So hopefully there are no irregular shaped little brown things in our lake. But I recall having to perform a surface dive and then come up with a handful of whatever was on the bottom of the lake to prove that you did that. What insanity! I did get a handful of something but that would probably qualify as “MUNG” if there ever was such a thing.
1966 – I lived on the hill as a Chalutz (Excuse me! God Bless you!) and my brother was down on the other side of the lake as a Bonim flatlander. We formed up the unofficial bugle and trumpet corps. Mike had his trumpet and I had a bugle. The sounds ping-ponged over the camp for awhile. Until the unit head said I was disturbing him while he played taps at night. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted. That’s some echo over the lake. Especially when the guy on the other side of the lake has a horn and he plays the same thing you are playing.
As a “Pioneer” or Chalutz, we were always at “work”. Or doing something else. Toiling in the old greenhouses screwing around with tomato plants, or doing something with the cornfield, or “building a series of steps to get up the slope into the new dining room.
The highlight of 1966 for me will always be the visit of Rabbi Schlomo Carlebach. He sang and played his guitar and at one point got up on a table in the dining room and had whipped the entire camp assembled into a frenzy of song and dance. The entire building seemed to be vibrating or nearly so. Anyone who was there and remembers that night would probably agree with me that if the dining room were to suddenly levitate, nobody would be surprised. It was a very special moment. I remember there were many people standing up on the tables and others dancing around the room in a Conga line singing “Am Yisroel Chai!” Everyone was under the spell of this one man struming away on his acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone while atop the dining room table.
1967 – I missed perhaps the best year of many at Camp Institute as I would have been a waiter but instead I was over on the border of NY and Massachusetts in a town that doesn’t exist at a place called Camp Silly B**ch. I was a waiter there. I hitchhiked to Camp Institute on my day off. I went to the places Camp Institute went to on camp trips while I was a waiter with Camp Silly B**ch. I saw my old Camp Institute friends at the old haunts as they were there as well as Camp Silly B**ch.
I was a waiter at camp Silly B**ch where I earned the Flash Perlstein Memorial Award. It was an annual award given out for the slowest service of any waiter. I drew the worst assignment as I had the entire girls camp – all 7 tables and they never were satisfied with the menu. They always wanted substitutes! BIATCHES ALL! Every last one of them. The counselors too. If the counselors were halfway decent they would have set the example and not mentioned substitutes in the first place and that would have been fine with me.
1968 – I escaped from Camp Silly B**ch and returned to Camp Institute with Colonel Clink as Camp Director. The herd of staff was continually being thinned out and the dissidents were sent to the “kooler”. It was the year of “For Whom The Bell Tolls” as that sign hung from the clock tower of the Ranch House and we rang the bell for everyone that got the axe. So many of the staff got fired that it was hard to keep count and remember all the names. Steve Weitzner comes to mind along with countless others.
During that year the Camp Director tried to stage his own suicide by driving his golf cart into the lake but he made the mistake of coming back after his sudden demise. What a dope! The golf cart was fished out of the lake by Johnny Nichols.
However Colonel Clink got even and fired a handful of us…the communistas! That Nazi Bas***d. And camp was over. It was during the 2 weeks of Conclave after camp and David Witkowski, the camp driver and jack of all trades, had to drive 5 of us home in that sweaty-ass Ford Stationbus. The late Ely Zornberg, Karl Fink and myself and the other 2 fellas … I can’t remember their names but David had to drive us all home. I think the other fellow might have been Joel Goldfarb. Who was the other dude?
Also in 1968 the timing of the finishing touches on the construction of what was commonly known as the “REDWOOD” bunks was superb. It was obvious that the contractors were either not getting paid on time or there was a terrible misunderstanding on the completion date. There also must have been some horrific rain storms prior to arrival at camp because as a staff member, I arrived with my co-workers and found gullies of mud at REDWOOD and no walks had been installed so it was an effort to get a foothold going up the hill to the new bunks. And there were rocks left over from the work that were just left where they were. No grass had time to grow so whenever it rained the mud flowed freely. I seem to recall that there were also problems with the plumbing but it’s so long ago that I can’t remember what they were.
As turmoil rocked the country in large cities some of our ingenious word smiths coined the name (or borrowed it from someplace else) and renamed REDWOOD as RESSURECTION CITY. That included a sign which was hand painted and nailed to a utility pole outside the complex. Ressurection has the 2 letters ‘S’ reversed so it really had that inner city look. I can’t remember if the sign survived until the first visiting day.
In 1969 the reign of terror continued as staff members suddenly vanished in the middle of the night. The bell continued to toll through 1969. Robin Brynn and Lynn Landsberg both suddenly disappeared. They were perhaps the last casualties of the war that went on between Col. Clink and the embattled staff. Robin and Lynn returned one night and appeared at the Yellow Gate House after not having any luck getting near Woodstock. The roads were closed as we later found out when we watched the movie and heard Arlo Guthrie say ” The New York State Thruway is closed man! Far out!”
Of the many camp trips to Jacob’s Pillow and Tanglewood, there are outstanding memories of pop groups that were a part of the 60s. Simon and Garfunkel, The Loving Spoonful, and a twin bill of The Who and The Jefferson Airplane in August of 1969. I’ve probably forgotten a few other memorable acts but the summer of ’69 topped them all. There was a group of us there that night and I remember the late Phil Gould and Ely Zornberg, Tami Goldstein, Donna Wolff and…who else could fit into a Mustang? Who was sitting on what lap?
1969 – I guess the entire camp did see the landing on the moon. I have no recall of watching it. Which probably means I wasn’t standing around looking at a little black and white TV set with one station and the broadcast was so bad that black and white horizontal lines rolled down the screen.
Where was that broadcast affiliate from? Pittsfield? Oh yes, I remember the superb reception in the foothills of the Berkshires back in those days. People who watch cable TV have no clue as to how bad rural TV broadcasts were back then.
The term “MUNG” goes back to at least 1968. Sure it had something to do with the kitchen and perhaps it was the stuff that was scraped off the plates before they hit the dishwasher. We took turns as dishwashers that year. But there is a darker meaning to the term “MUNG” and it sure doesn’t belong here where the FCC might want to censor it.
The last straw was that in 1969, the entire staff revolted over the way Col. Clink broke Maccabiah.
Clink the pervert put forth a story that a female had been accosted and had every male staff employee undergo a pat-down by a uniformed security guard. That behavior by the Kamp Direktor proved that he was not only mentally ill but suffered from more serious issues which is probably the reason why the Kamp Komission gave him his walking papers the following year.
As the former Program Director Cantor Arthur Asher told Samborn back in 1967 when Samborn was shooting home movies during Shabbat Services “you don’t know a f**king thing about Judaism!”
By: Rick Ehrlich on July 14, 2008
at 12:26 am
I know camp ended early in 1972 because of some kind of pneumonia simply because about 13 years later, one of my co-workers, Shira E., turned out to be one of the campers hospitalized. We realized that we had been at camp together, me as a counselor and she as a camper when we did the usual Jewish Geography bit.
By: Leslie on July 14, 2008
at 9:53 am
My comment about swatting flies in the makeshift infirmary (listed in 1958) should be in 1979.
Reading this blog brings back so many one of a kind memories.
In 1977, when I was in Ofarim we buried a time capsule behind one of the bunks. I don’t remember what was in it or when it was supposed to be dug up. Also that was the summer that Elvis Pressley died (aug 16)–everyone was talking about that.
whitney weinstein goodman
By: Whitney Weinstein Goodman on July 14, 2008
at 2:54 pm
In July 1978, I helped to paint the Shomrim Beit-Am. I know that Tammy Smiley and Carolyn Goeman (Freebird!) helped too, and I’m sure that others helped as well. I remember standing on a ladder and obsessing over painting all of our names perfectly.
Just want to say hi to Nina Jaroslaw (shall I bring the pic of you with cheese on your face?), and Robin Eig (my nose is quite intact). My sisters have been nagging me since May to come with them. When I saw that you both would be attending, I registered right away. Can’t wait to see you, and everyone else!
I remember the corn that we planted on Chalutzim hill – we ate it raw, right?
By: Debbi Klein Mendelson on July 14, 2008
at 8:24 pm
In the early 60’s, we had camper waiters including some of the famous…Hank Sawitz and Gerry Brieger, our two original song leaders. We only needed two for the whole camp.
All swimming was in the lake and the deep water test was from the dock in front of Pavillion across to the Marble Dock(now the wood dock) and back. Johnny Nichols was in charge of the grounds for many years. He was loved by so many at camp and sang “Ole Man River” every year at Banquet.
In 1961, a new group was formed called the Pioneers (no, not Chalutzim). Very little Hebrew was used then. Our projects included the first painting of the stained glass windows in the Beit Knesset. Some of our other favorite projects were weeding the Formal Gardens, putting bright orange rust arrester on the black iron fences around the camp entrances and harvesting the corn in August for the camp to eat. The entire hill, beginning at the road below the current softball field, past the soccer field and pool and up to the top was all corn field.
The ‘antique’ place some referred to was Jonesie’s… truly a junk yard, but great to go to.
In the early years, we had trip night every Thursday. We had a choice of going to Jacob’s Pillow, Tanglewood or Berkshire Theatre Festival each week. Of course the camp was much smaller then.
“Olim Hill” was built to house the Pioneers and first used during the summer of ’64.
The now ‘old’ dining room was the new dining room in the middle of camp, summer of 1965. We had camper waiters and waitresses then.
By: Diane Wachter Mallah on July 14, 2008
at 8:50 pm
And we used to whisper in our bunk, Here comes Diane, and Darryl and Diane would sit OD.
By: Michael Ehrlich on July 14, 2008
at 10:07 pm
Hi Diane,
I sure remember you and Darryl. He was one amazing softball player.
And Hank and Jerry were fixtures as song leaders for so many years in that crowded old dining room near the lake. The early years there with cold mornings bring back memories of putting away beaucoup cups of hot chocolate. It was cold and we had flag raising before breakfast outside the dining room. The hot chocolate was in those big old tin pitchers.
The last time I was at comp I had trouble recognizing the area where the flagpole used to be. Perhaps mostly because the brick wall that surrounded that quad had been removed along with the beautiful formal gardens. It really made me feel lost.
On the other side of the hedges we played soccer in that quad where the infirmary used to be. After a few errant shots and the nurse having a problem with us breaking the windows, we relocated our games to the universal lawn. There never was a “soccer” field. We just set up whatever markers were available as goal posts, garbage cans and whatnot. The goal outside the old brick wall of the formal gardens were probably two shrubs.
It’s a shame that the bridge that was between Brookside road and the outdoor sanctuary collapsed into the Housatonic. So many of the balustrades and balusters were destroyed especially near the “marble dock” (it ain’t marble!)
by delivery trucks coming on the property. The same goes for the walls around the quadrangle as trucks and flatbeds roamed freely and sometimes too their pound of flesh entering or exiting the quad.
And it got cool at night so that a sweatshirt or a jacket was a good idea.
I don’t remember how Maccabiah broke except once when the Perlmutters were in charge of the waterfront and Eli Asher paddled a canoe into the swimming area. He was warned and replied that he was on his day off. One of the Perlmutters then had an assistant intercept Eli and as that happened the canoe turned over revealing the bottom which had been painted Maccabiah and everybody went nuts! The camp had been invited to the lake to watch “water ballet” and suddenly it was Macabbiah! This was a big deal back then. I have no idea if the camp still does anything like this.
It was fun!
By: Rick Ehrlich on July 14, 2008
at 10:52 pm
Does anyone remember the year everyone had lice? I remember coming into the dining room for breakfast and the DRAs had taken all the boxes of Rice Crispies and put an “L” over the “R”. We were all eating “Lice Crispies” :0
By: Terri Sash on July 14, 2008
at 11:03 pm
Actually Terri, there were Lice Crispies AND Lice cereal. Both the Rice Crispies and Life cereal boxes were covered. Good times!
By: Mark Derwin on July 15, 2008
at 7:50 am
1993 – pink house was covered in purple polka dots thanks to the best prank ever by some very crafty olim boys.
By: Sari Sharaby-Swartz on July 15, 2008
at 12:25 pm
I know Howie Jaffe listed 1981 as the year that the Machon program was established, but I was Machon in 1980!
By: Marji on July 15, 2008
at 9:26 pm
Yes Margi, I too was in Machon in 1980, we live in the new Kivie Kaplan Center. The previous year we were in Shomrin, living in Pink House.
By: Lisa on July 16, 2008
at 7:54 am
Remember Toad Hall? Seeing the Marx Brothers? Refer Madness? Slowly the memories are coming back…
By: Jill Winitzer on July 16, 2008
at 5:57 pm
Oh, my God — the lice. I remember Robin and I “Qwelling” dozens of campers as we remained miraculously unafflicted.
The adulterated “Lice” cereal story reminds me of a Maccabiah break for which we came to breakfast and all of the cereals had been switched — the Cheerios into Froot Loops boxes; the Corn Flakes into Rice Krispies, etc. Must’ve taken hours and hours.
The first Maccabiah break I experienced terrified me. I was a little kid in Bonim; my first summer at Eisner; didn’t know to anticipate the event. Very early morning (don’t know the time; it seemed like 5:00 am) fire engine sirens screeched through hilltop and “grown-up” voices began screaming at us to evacuate our bunks; there was an emergency; a fire; a horrible catastrophe — I was so frightened. I raced out barefoot and bleary-eyed with all the other kids, at which point a bunch of impossibly-older-seeming campers screamed “Maccabiah!! Maccabiah!!” I clung to Barb, my counselor, shaking with fear and relief and embarrassment and profound confusion.
By: Nina Jaroslaw on July 17, 2008
at 12:32 pm
In 65, I was in bunk 2, bonim pavillion. At some dead of night hour, we were awakened by counselors banging garbage can lids up and down the bunk floor, and herded outside to the cracking of fireworks, and lots of noise and yelling. It was my first maccabiah and it scared the crap out of me in the middle of the nite. As a first timer, I had no idea what was happening.
I remember the water ballet with Eli Asher and the bottom painted canoe. That canoe hung around for years with remnants of Macabbiah words fading.
By: mike ehrlich on July 19, 2008
at 10:58 pm
I was part of that water ballet that Mike mentions but I’m not sure of the year – maybe 1966. We had practiced and practiced and the camp was assembled one morning at the lake to see our performance. All of a sudden Eli Asher comes rowing and yelling into our ballet circle! When he finally tipped his canoe over and everyone saw the “MACCABIAH” painted on the back the camp went crazy! Of course we pretended we knew all about it in advance but we were just as surprised as everyone else!
By: Nancy Lawson Green on July 20, 2008
at 11:14 am
Reading all of these comments creates a visceral connection to the specific events described. I was part of the water ballet group and vividly remember Maccabiah breaking with the canoe capsizing.
I also remember going to Hank and Jerry concerts during the year, as groupies.
Remember bunk inspection? In bunk 2 and 3 in the 60’s, if we earned a perfect score of 10, 7 days in a row, we were treated to an Awful Awful from Friendly’s!
By: Joyce Shapiro Gordon on March 19, 2010
at 11:42 pm
I think that was 66 July.
By: mike ehrlich on July 20, 2008
at 8:12 pm
It’s a good thing that someone remembers that Machon existed prior to 1980…especially since Howie Jaffe and I led that merry band in 1979! Looking forward to seeing you all. Bring Photos! Thanks.
By: Amy Dattner-Levy on July 20, 2008
at 8:53 pm
Another time-line edit. Dear Howie, the only reason who I remember that Tom Paxton came to Eisner in 1975, was that it was my half-summer. I arrived at camp that weekend with Jeff Kerne. We had spent lots of time in the Brooklyn Home of 3R Sound putting together that HORRIBLE patchwork backdrop.
We then put it up, he sang, then folks went out with Paxton…..
As for the first Eisner album, how about the second NFTY RECORD being made in the Chalutzim Unit Office during Summer conclave? 1974..Danny F., Jeff K, Loui D, David N…A few of us Canclave faculty got to sit in, if we promised to be quiet….
Some of you have incredible menories to share! Thank-you.
By: Amy Dattner-Levy on July 20, 2008
at 9:16 pm
Michael:
You have an incredible memory, and I know you think I have none! However, here’s one for you and just a few others. How about that quarry we used to sneak off to (I’ve tried over the years to find it somewhere outside of Barrington). I don’t remember how we found it, but I remember swimming in it and it was beautiful. I think I actually have a picture somewhere and will try to find it. I think Linda Birnbaum was with us and 2 or 3 more.
By: Debbie Falkenstein Olson on July 21, 2008
at 6:12 pm
Timeline: 1974 – The first Ofarim, with the cheer: “We’re the Ofarim, and that’s no jive. Stand up, sit down, slap me five. Look up, look down, look all around. We’re the coolest dudes in town”. Really.
By: Rich Birnbaum on July 21, 2008
at 8:47 pm
Well all the Klein girls will be at Eisner – something that only happened 1 summer, I believe, my first summer at Eisner.
I remember all too well the salmonella breakout and living in the Bonim Bet Am as a sufferer. OY!
Does anyone remember a program that was done in either 1977 or 1978 (I was in Ofarim or Tzofim depending on the year) where we “lived” the crossing of the ocean from Europe (12 in a canoe across the lake to the Marble Dock!) and registering at “Ellis Island” (in the Bonim Bet Am)? It was one of the most powerful Eisner experiences I had and one that was difficult to explain to my friends who simply went horseback riding during their summers at camp! I will never forget it, even if I can’t remember the year.
Robin Eig – I have a picture of us taken at Kutz one year for Haggigah. To this day Grover Washington Jr.’s “Mr. Magic” is a favorite of mine. It was the song you chose as our dance number and I was one of your dancers. I have NO idea if you remember this!
I don’t know who on earth said that they couldn’t make the drive from Long Island for the “weekend”. I’m coming all the way from Minnesota – DON’T ASK!!!
Can’t wait to see everyone (including my sisters!!!) there.
By: Diane Klein on July 22, 2008
at 1:20 am
Deb,
do you remember going to Hartford with Steve Dickenson and me to see the Grateful Dead?
we’ll talk about it this weekend.
By: mike ehrlich on July 22, 2008
at 8:26 am
I have been thoroughly enjoying the exchanges in this forum, and have been thinking a great deal about the impact that Eisner had/has on our lives, and on the larger life of American Judaism. Whether we know it or not, we participated in a revolution that changed the shape of synagogue life, worship, social action, Jewish education, Israel involvement. We have a lot to cherish.
For me, personally, camp was the place that shaped me not only as a Jew and as a professional, but as a human being. Back in my Long Island high school, I was a nerd — but at Eisner, I could enter a counter-life in which the talents I had — playing guitar, writing, etc. — were valued and respected. I daresay that I am not alone in reflecting on how Eisner gave so many of us the confidence and presence to get through some very difficult years.
For me, the value is triple-fold: All of my closest friendships are connected to Eisner, either personally or through my sons, who started in the Eisner day camp in the early 1990s. I am so proud of my son Sam and my good friend and student Dave Silverstein for their involvement in this blog and in the reunion in general.
Enough serious stuff. Time for an Eisner trivia contest.
1. What was the name of the 1969 Halutzim unit head? Hint: his famous quote was “Alright, puddy cats, up to da beit am!”
2. What was the name of the guy in 1970 who ran the kitchen and tormented us meltzarim?
3. What was the name of the “other” concert venue in Lenox, where many of us heard Joan Baez, Mary Travers, and the Byrds? Who remembers how Officer Obie himself came on the stage at that place and forced the Byrds to turn off their amps because it was disturbing the music at Tanglewood?
4. Complete the sentence: “__________sucks.”
5. Who was the director immediately after the forementioned person? True or false: your three year old knows more about Judaism already than he knew.
6. Name the cause of the 1978 diarrhea plague.
7. True or false: There are members of 1972 kitchen staff still living in Ranch House.
8. True or false: No director has ever entered ranch house.
9. What was the song that Johnny Nichols sang at every banquet?
10. Name three “townies” or locals who worked at Eisner in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
11. What clothing store in Pittsfield did David Witkowski go on to found (it is no longer there, as is much of Pittsfield, sadly).
I hope to see many of you this weekend. Jeff Salkin
By: Jeff Salkin on July 22, 2008
at 11:58 am
Deb and Michael,
I was most definately there as was Barry Schoer. Was Ronnie Sussman also with us? Looking forward to reminiscing !!
By: Linda Birnbaum on July 22, 2008
at 3:38 pm
I have to echo What Jeff Salkin said. (Not the trivia part). I am so impressed with the effect that Eisner has had on so many of our lives. Including people on the list that were only at camp 1 or 2 years in the 60’s and are coming up for the reunion.For me it is also so amazing that my kids now are sharing the Eisner legacy and how many of their co-campers are children of people that I was in camp with.
And the answer to #9 is Old Man River
By: Leslie Resnick on July 22, 2008
at 5:10 pm
Partial answer to #10: Arnie Denard and his Mother.
Sorry, Mike, I remember going to tons of Grateful Dead and Allman Bros. concerts in college, I remember hitchhiking everywhere, but not that particular trip. But then again, what did you expect? A certain one of the aforementioned three I have blocked out anyway!
More on that at another time.
By: Debbie Falkenstein Olson on July 22, 2008
at 6:34 pm
No. 9 is Moon River, and No. 11 is “Beba”, which, by the way was David Witkowski’s nickname.
Looking forward to seeing you all!!!!!
By: Michele Blaustein on July 22, 2008
at 8:11 pm
Oops, maybe it was Old Man River. Ya’ll remind me of all the details this weekend.
By: Michele Blaustein on July 22, 2008
at 8:21 pm
3: Music Hall??
10: Kip Gray, Bob Gray, Jeff Salkin
By: Jill Winitzer on July 22, 2008
at 8:44 pm
oops, Jeff Gulick
By: Jill Winitzer on July 22, 2008
at 8:45 pm
4: Josh
By: Linda Birnbaum on July 22, 2008
at 9:13 pm
Linda and Deb,
I don’t think I was on that journey with youse!
By: mike ehrlich on July 22, 2008
at 9:33 pm
2-Morty 4 -Josh 5 paul schrauer 6 lack of hot water in dishwashers? 7-true 8-False 9 old man river 10-Bob and Kip Gray, Arnie Denard 11-who cares! As far as # 1, you know I”m old and can remember back to #1. wasn’t it Larry (blockhead-no neck) Lasser?
I know it’s close, someone will remember his name exactly.
Nice quiz Jeff. FWIW, As I begin to weave the memories together, I’ve got the hardest time remembering doing anything in particular with anyone. Mostly anyone. a few exceptions. like girlfriends. I remember most of that. first kisses …
By: mike ehrlich on July 22, 2008
at 9:42 pm
So Jeff.
What do I win? Of course, I should be afraid to ask that. I sense Soupy Sales around the corner.
By: mike ehrlich on July 22, 2008
at 9:44 pm
3. Lenox Art Center???
By: Jill Winitzer on July 22, 2008
at 10:12 pm
Mike Ehrlich got them almost totally correct. It was Larry Lasker. Good guess, Jill, on the name of the concert venue. I think that it was officially named the Lenox Music Barn — which is now White Pines townhomes. There were some amazing concerts at that place.
More trivia: He was a tzofim counselor in 1971 and became a major figure in professional baseball. Name?
By: Jeff Salkin on July 22, 2008
at 11:00 pm
“Barn” just doesn’t ring a bell. Remember Toad Hall for movies?
The guy is an owner of the Washington Nationals, or something about the Nats.
By: Jill Winitzer on July 22, 2008
at 11:29 pm
What about Buzzy Nichols for #4? Johnny definitely sang “Old Man River” every year, (not moon river) Does anyone remember soccer games behind the infirmary with Kip and Jeff? I was very excited to learn how to play soccer that summer – not a girls’ sport in those days.
Also, I remember seeing my 1st x-rated movie, Clockwork Orange, at the Mahaiwe (sp?) Theatre.
Who still lives in Ranch House?
By: Cindy Gray on July 22, 2008
at 11:58 pm
stanley steamer. I can see his face, but don’t remember his moniker. Stan ……. with the baby voice. Kesten.
C’mon Jeff, work at it a bit. Make them harder.
Cindy, re: # 4-do tell! maybe not here.
I remember many soccer games on the universal lawn, (behind the infirmary). I played in many. and I remember you C, mixing it up with the guys.
Remember Amnon Arronskind and Talia.
Who played in the soccer games?
Don Kent was ALWAYS there. Zev, who else?
By: mike ehrlich on July 23, 2008
at 12:14 am
Ah, first kisses did indeed occur at Eisner. I well remember the boy too, but in deference to that memory, (and the fact that his name is not among the attendees list) I shall not reveal who it was.
Wasn’t the cause of the salmonella plague just horrible food poisoning? Was it something specific? By the time it spread, I imagine it was because of poor hygiene (what can you expect, we were young)?
Does anyone remember showering in your bathing suit underneath the rain spouts of your bunks during storms? Since we couldn’t use the showers (lightening, you know!), we had no choice. I remember a few excellent baby powder fights with Illyse Schindler after showering in the aforementioned way, too – we looked like ghosts!
By: Diane Klein on July 23, 2008
at 12:27 am
I remember washing my hair from the rain runoff from Pink House across from the old office and ranch house. I think the rain gutter was missing in a spot. It was like a waterfall.
By: mike ehrlich on July 23, 2008
at 8:53 am
Whoops, I meant #10! Sorry Buzzy. I never was good with math.
By: Cindy Gray on July 23, 2008
at 1:15 pm
Didn’t Sandy something (he had a brother Buddy, just like “Flipper”) play soccer, too? Amnon had some fancy dribbling skills, I remember, which nowadays probably wouldn’t seem so impressive to me after all the years I’ve spent watching my son play soccer!
I don’t think I saw my first-kiss-guy on the list, either. Which reminds me of sitting atop the piano during movies in the Tzofim bet am…
I loved walking around barefoot in the rain, and I remember washing hair, too. Also I liked climbing way, way up the hill by myself, although I usually got in trouble because no one could find me.
Nancy Lawson, I think you were my one of my first counselors. I am reluctant to remind you of the fact because I was probably one of your most immature campers. But at least I didn’t cry every night and want to go home like another girl in my bunk.
Does anyone remember playing jacks for hours and hours when we lived in Ranch House? Or the year management was appalled that we wore Mattababies (little lanyard dolls) in our bunk pictures because they came out looking like crosses?
By: Cindy Gray on July 23, 2008
at 1:36 pm
Right, it was Stan Kasten — and I recently re-connected with him because our sons go to the same school in Atlanta.
OK, you want harder — here goes. Halutzim, 1969: name of counselor who was slightly crazy and was also the “cantor” at Eisner on many Friday nights….name of British counselor. Meltzarim, 1970 (Mike, you surely remember this): What did we build that summer out of “borrowed” wood
I remember seeing Clockwork Orange at the Mahaiwe quite vividly….as well as the movie Z at the Pittsfield Museum. Both made a major impression on me.
By: Jeff Salkin on July 23, 2008
at 2:23 pm
Tony was his name. I think his middle initial was A. and his last name began with H.
It might be the loft in our A frame or the Trojan Horse we used to raid the girls bunks.
BTW Jeff, Whaddya mean we? I wasn’t involved.
It wasn’t me. I didn’t say that.
By: mike ehrlich on July 23, 2008
at 5:45 pm
Was his last name Hand?
I missed clockwork and Z. and have still never seen them. That made an impression on me! maybe a depression?
By: mike ehrlich on July 23, 2008
at 5:46 pm
Mike…. as to your comments regarding raiding the girls bunks, can I have my panties back now?
By: Michele Blaustein on July 23, 2008
at 6:09 pm
Hey Diane! I don’t remember that at all. It does sound like it fits. I realize as I am preparing for this trip that I don’t remember a lot. I hope it all comes back to me when I see everyone. I think maybe I went to a few too many Grateful Dead concerts back in the day! I’m flying in tomorrow. Hope to see you all on Friday!
By: Robin Eig on July 23, 2008
at 6:18 pm
I have connected with Barry Schoer and David Witkowski. If anyone wants email addresses, please email me.
By: Michele Blaustein on July 23, 2008
at 6:18 pm
michelle,
it wasn’t me!
By: mike ehrlich on July 23, 2008
at 10:02 pm
R-A-T-T-L-T-S-N-A-K-E spells rattle snake. I was going to try to bring my daughter’s jacks. (which I insisted she bring when she went off to camp)
I too remember A Clockwork Orange.
Sandy and Buddy Voit
By: Jill Winitzer on July 23, 2008
at 10:38 pm
Robin – I’ll try to dig up the picture. And yeah, way too many dead shows. Is it Eisner and DeadHeads, or Jews and DeadHeads? What’s the connection??? Anyone?
By: Diane Klein on July 23, 2008
at 11:37 pm
The lice incident happened in 1981. I was a counselor in Olim and I remember having to comb this girl Suzanne’s hair with a really tiny comb for hours. Her hair was very thick and went down to her tush. Wasn’t the Salomella caused by a parent bringing in bad food one visiting day because after that event I don’t think they allowed paretns to bring food in anymore for visiting day. Cindy were you were my counselor – Bonium bunk 1 1973?
By: Ellen Kornfield Fogel on July 24, 2008
at 12:44 am
OK, Tony Davis was the Brit counselor in Halutzim 1969. The cantor/counselor was Danny Merrins. And as for meltzarim 1970, we lived in Siberia (as it was called) and we built a second floor on top of the rafters. And Mike, you were involved because, if memory serves me correctly, you were the only one of us who had sufficient carpentry skills to oversee the project.
By: Jeff Salkin on July 24, 2008
at 9:28 am
Danny Merrins, I remember was our Hebrew teacher and he taught us how to swear in hebrew
By: Leslie Resnick on July 24, 2008
at 10:29 am
You guys are amazing! Why can’t I remember 3/4 of this stuff? Was it too many “Dead” concerts?
By: Debbie Falkenstein Olson on July 24, 2008
at 12:22 pm
I still remember the swears!
Ellen K-F, I wasn’t at camp in 1973, but I’m sure you would have been fun to know.
Jill, I still have jacks, too…
By: Cindy Gray on July 24, 2008
at 10:06 pm
I can’t believe how many memories are flooding back…as I pack my trunk ( small overnight bag!) to go back to camp….6 treasured summers at Camp Institute for Living Judaism in the Bosom of the Berkshires!- starting in Pavillion, Bunk 4 in 1963-Diane Wachter was one of our counselors- my bunkmates included Ava Schaeffer, Karen Lipschitz, Fran Miller, Barbara Greene, Laura Kates…don’t remember the other names. Jeff Ballon was waterfront director- Hubba Hubba….ding ding! I took junior lifesaving and for my final test had to jump in the lake fully clothed, take off my sneakers and clothing, and then save Jeff. Dining room was the old green house- and we sang “Corn Flakes and Milk” and “What a Day this Has Been!” I stayed for the first 4 week session, crying on my way home where I begged my parents to send me back the next summer for all 8 weeks.
1964- Hilltop, Sue Silverman one of our counselors….my bunkmates included Barbara Greene, Pam Brown, Joan Math, Fran Miller, Ava Schaeffer, Raven Goldberg, Sue Orenstein…in the bunk just next to us was Muff Ballon as one counselor, and bunkmates included Sandy Kirsch, Debbie Brasz, (where is Debbie?). At the end of 4 weeks, the boys always lined up for mandatory haircuts! Our boys included Jerry Wise, David Asher, Ricky Ehrlich, Johnny Chase, Joey Spector.
Paul Menitoff was a counselor this summer…
1965 I was in Ranch House(chicken coops!) and one of the Perlmutter twins was our CIT…how we all loved the Permutter twins! The girls I remember included Debbie Brasz, Sandy Kirsch, Janet Frankel, Charlotte Cohen, Jill Winitzer, Leslie Brill, ….Tzofim boys were in Pink House. Robert Marblestone was one of their counselors. (Sadly, Robert passed away in January 2007.) Also I remember Lonny Wolfberg was one of the boys’ counselors.
1966: Chalutzim- lived in the A-frames on the hill…this was very exciting- our counselors- Dave and Elena, and Bert Hildebrand- lived in their own cabin. We grew corn, picked it at the end of the summer, and sent everyone home with pillow cases full! We weeded the formal gardens, lay a cement floor in the sanctuary, extended a water pipe line down a mountain, and built a platform for the outdoor sanctuary. I remember a small, older man living in a cabin in the woods who would give us rolling papers and some of us would roll cigarettes.(and not smoke them) I remember listening to the Doors on someone’s turntable. No IPods. Fellow Chalutzim included: Sandy Kirsch, Pam Brown, Debbie Brasz, Janet Frankel, Barbara Greene, Kathy Lewis, Kathy Moss, Gail Halber, Lynn Landsberg, Heidi Kaplan, Raven Goldberg, Charlie Cohen, Kayla Goldstein, Sheila Katz,Shira…., Mitzi Finklestein. Bob Loewy, Ira Abramowitz, Fred Winters, David Asher, Johnny Nizel, Ziv Fox, Kenny Bortner, Danny Merin, Phil Gould, Steve Englander, Danny Raider, Steve Weitzner,Billy___. Other friends: Johnny Zeichner (where are the Zeichners?), Jeff Dubin, Ricky Travers, Freddie Bernstein. What a time! During the year between summers, some of wrote letters which required stamps and long waits to hear back. I remember long phone calls with Debbie Brasz, falling asleep on the phone while we were talking. We waited 44 weeks to go back to camp!
1967: Meltzarim: Saul Cohen and ___ were our counselors; Mark Schoen supervised us. Arin Poller, Sandy Kirsch, Debbie Brasz, Heidi Kaplan, Janet Fankel, Raven Goldberg, Lynne Landsberg, Charlie Cohen David Asher, Phil Gould, Fred Winters were among the tray-carrying crew. We also lived on the hill in A-frames. Our reward- our parents got some of our tuition back.
1970- I finally arrived- I returned as a Bonim counselor- (Bonim girls were in Hilltop)with Anne Moosman(Roher)- she lives in San Francisco- we still keep in touch. Friends: Anne, Sandy Kirsch, Pam Brown, Joyce Shapiro, Joel Abramowitz, Mitch Mendelsohn, Josh Wiener, Mike ______, Merri, Charlie Jaret. Times were getting weird…who was that camp director? He started firing people- seemed pretty paranoid that everyone was doing drugs.
So many names flow back though all the years blur together………Hank and Jerry, Barbara Fialkoff, Johnny Nichols singing “Old Man River” at the banquets, Sy Brief, Bernie the dance instructor, and so many more.
Those summers were precious…amazing to hear that everyone seems to feel the same way. I guess Jerry and Barbara truly understood the magic of camp when they wrote: “Yet through all times, we cannot undo, the beauty and the spirit that is you!”
Rick Ehrlich- I love your descriptions- you capture so many of the same memories that I carry. Sorry you won’t be at the reunion.
Have a safe trip everyone- see you there!
By: Diane Judem on July 24, 2008
at 11:09 pm
Hey Diane, what about me? I was in Bunk 4 in the Pavilion in 64, Bunk 7 in the Ranch House in 65 with Barbara Fialkoff & Dale Tworogers (sp?) our lone Canadian. Bunk 7 had the only working toilet in Ranch House during the shilshul epidemic (mmm, beef broth & bananas in the old dining room). That was also the introduction of the (now politically incorrect) Spastic Walk by Debbie Brasz. As to Chalutzim in 66, I still have a scar on my knee from kneeling on wet cement & troweling in the indoor & outdoor sanctuaries. And I now know my limit of how many uncooked ears of corn I can eat before getting sick. And 67 was the best year — broom races in the dining room, the Hobbit-themed banquet, meatball grinders & M&Ms for breakfast on our days off at the Laundromat.
And a few years later, Arin Poller & I were suite-mates at the U. of Rochester.
By: Randi Eckstein on July 24, 2008
at 11:39 pm
Diane,
I was also up on the hill with the Chalutz(im) in 1966. Gesundheit!
That guy living in a cabin up on the hill in the woods was none other than Ralph. His last name might have been Anderson but forever and a day he was just known as Ralph. He was always cutting the grass with the estate mower with outriggers that cut an incredible swath on either side. The outriggers would fold up when not used to cut grass. Ralph also would trim the hedges that divided the area between the formal gardens, the original dining room and the indoor sanctuary.
There was a lot of grass to cut.
Who would imagine that Ralph rode a Honda motorbike? He looked so old when he walked around with his crumpled hat and smoking his pipe that to see old Ralph wearing a helmet and on a motorcycle nobody would ever guess it was him. But that was his transportation in and out of Great Barrington.
I have my doubts as to whether or not Ralph’s cabin is still standing. My gut feeling tells me that it was probably torn down and the only thing that might remain would be a concrete slab if there was one.
I think Ralph was “original equipment” and was at camp along with Johnny Nichols before Camp Institute came into being.
What was just as amazing was that Johnny Nichols was practically a one man maintenance guy who had to fix everything in camp. He did have Bob and Kip Grey but nobody could fix stuff like Johnny. He was always driving around in an big old faded powder blue van, plumber’s wrench in hand to fix a leak here or there. I have memories of that van inching it’s way down the hill from the old office and having to pause for campers and counselors in the road going past the old dining room in early morning ground fog with the headlights cutting through the dew. One of Johnny’s sons would sometimes tag along and ride the truck.
Johnny Nichols was never without a big smile on his face. A smile on his face and a plumbing wrench in his hand.
By: Rick Ehrlich on July 25, 2008
at 8:46 am
Right. It was Ralph Anderson. He used to keep his Honda 50 trail bike in the shed next to pavillion, along with the outrigger mower. He’d come down to the shed and get the mower out and spend all day cutting the lawns.
Diane,
I always thought Danny’s last name was Marren, but I was a kid and surely might not have gotten that right.
I realized looking around the came at the new buildings, the spaces where the old buildings once stood, that here is 35 years of change. But it’s not just the camp, or the campers and staff, It’s my 35 years that came front and center that have now passed me with probably less than another 35 years left. I was touched by the awareness of that fact that here the camp will surely live on many more years. We mortals are just visiting.
The reunion was fantastic. Seeing the faces, getting re connected. The planning was thorough and appeared to me to go off without a hitch.
Mazel Tov to all who worked on this event, and to all who had the privilege to share in it.
Thank you all.
By: mike ehrlich on July 27, 2008
at 11:03 pm
OMG!!! It’s going to take a long time to come back from this weekend experience! I hadn’t spoken to anyone in my family since Friday, and when I called to check in(and warn them) yesterday, I felt as if I was preparing to return home after 8 weeks from the magical, loving embrace of camp- the exact same feelings I had had each summer when I was at camp from 63-70. Just like back then, I was once again feeling sad about leaving camp!
Reconnecting with so many people was so incredible; words can’t come close to capturing the feelings that we all shared. Randi Eckstein- please accept my deepest apologies for omitting your name from my log of rambling memories prior to the reunion…but I had no trouble picking you out of the crowd! Ricky and Mike Ehrlich, thank you so much for adding such rich details (and names) to my recall (so it was Ralph, and I’m not hallucinating)…and Mike Schroeder- wow! I had been trying to remember your last name for weeks,(only the name wouldn’t come to mind)and then there we were, I turned around, and you were standing right there! You put it so well when you commented, “each of us remembers a part, which others of us don’t remember, but together, we remember it all!” I’m so glad so many of us brought photos, and thanks to Joyce Shapiro for saving EVERYTHING! If we had had your 1966 yearbook to study before the weekend, we could have looked much more impressive with impeccable senior memory skills….
Every inch of the camp grounds brought back such powerful, vivid memories. This is the place where we grew up. We spent 44 weeks each year looking forward to our next 8 at camp! As Hank said, “It’s like we were here two minutes ago, and it’s like it was 50 years ago all at the same time!”
Standing at the entrance of the Beit-Knesset, some of us recalled the excitement of Shabbats when we could kiss everyone we wanted! And some of us recalled our hard sweat and labor as we poured and troweled the first cement floor. As we wandered camp’s grounds, the past, present, and future fused into one as we recalled (or grieved for) many of the magnificent original structures that are now missing (formal gardens, marble dock, gargoyles, fountains), appreciated that much that is old is still standing, and marveled at renderings for what is planned for the future.
Mike Ehrlich- I echo your sentiment exactly…it was truly profound to stand in a place that could immediately elicit such powerful personal memories while also confronting us with how camp continues on and will transcend all of our lifetimes.
Jane and Marion Perlmutter- you are the trusted, beloved holders of the most intact archive of our camp’s history. I could listen to you forever. It was so fortuitous that I spotted you drinking coffee on Sunday morning, giving us a bonus visit after reunion had officially ended. I will keep in touch!
Pam, Randi, Sandy Kirsch, Ann Levy, Joyce, Bobbi, Suzi, Betsy Appleton, Anita, Ricky and Mike Ehrlich, Randy Levenson, Josh Wiener, Joel Abramowitz, Mike Schroeder, Jane and Marion, Hank, Mike Berkowitz, Joan Fishbein, Meri, Diane and Darryl Mallah, Steve Klein and Flo Rutberg, Linda Oppenheimer….it was absolutely fabulous seeing you all again.( Apologies to any names I left out)
Diane and Darryl- your family is beautiful,you both look terrific, and thanks for your incredible and generous support of the camp!
We who attended the 25th, the 35th (or was it 36th) do not want to wait until 2033 for the 75th to reunite. We look forward to a reunion somewhere, sooner than that.
Interestingly, we spent a lot of time reminiscing, and not much time talking about our lives in the present.
Meanwhile, love of camp, and the joyous connections that we made all those years ago are now rekindled. I know that I will not forget this weekend and what it brought back for me/us, for a long, long time.
So, what happened to the plaques of the 60’s and early 70’s? Did we in fact just write directly on the walls? We all know we wrote plenty, who we wrote about, where we wrote…
Camp looks great, extremely well run…the spirit is fabulous…so great to see kids who weren’t even born when we were there, feeling the same love and affection for the place and for each other that we all know and treasure. Thank you to everyone who invited us alumni in to share once again in the loving spirit of Eisner!
In our thoughts this past weekend also, were our friends who are no longer here, including:
Phil Gould, Sam Gideon, and Heidi Kaplan – may they all be a blessed memory.
L’Chaim!
Diane
By: Diane Judem on July 28, 2008
at 2:19 pm
I have loved reading everyone’s memories and wish I could have joined you all. I was at camp from ’65-’70 (my brother Bruce was there too – he was the “nature director”).
Please add Linda Samuels to your list of those of blessed memory.
Can someone send me the lyrics to Cornflakes and Milk?
Sue
By: Susan Cohen Bernay on July 28, 2008
at 4:29 pm
And to our list of those remembered. we add:
Robert Marblestone and Howard Marblestone
I’ll work on those lyrics to Cornflakes and Milk.
Two verses for sure are:
Corn flakes and milk,
da da da da
Corn flakes and milk,
da da da da,
Your eyes are like diamonds,
your hands are like silk,
I love you bestly with
corn flakes and milk,
oh ple-ease help me
to love you as much as I love
corn flakes and milk
da da da da
corn flakes and milk-
I lovvvvv.
Corn flakes and milk,
and baby you too,
Without you three,
life would be icky-poo,
oh ple-ease help me
to love you
as much as
corn flakes and milk,
da da da da,
corn flakes and milk!
I’m quite sure there is at least one more verse, as I once knew them all. I remember singing them with Ramie at the 25th reunion! And he was missing one verse. Someone must have the original lyrics. Joyce Shapiro? you must have them- you have everything!
Oh, can someone please make sure that next time the camp/alumni sing “Summers Come and Summers Leave” that the correct lyrics and spellings are provided? The song is so beautiful, beloved, and to many of us, perfectly captures the essence of camp- we hope the song will be preserved as it was written in 1964!!!
xoxooxoxo
Diane
By: Diane Judem on July 28, 2008
at 5:11 pm
oops- the second stanza, I missed two words- it should be:
“as much as I love
corn flakes and milk,”
So I stand corrected again!
Here it is:
Corn flakes and milk,
da da da da
Corn flakes and milk,
da da da da,
Your eyes are like diamonds,
your hands are like silk,
I love you bestly with
corn flakes and milk,
oh ple-ease help me
to love you as much as I love
corn flakes and milk
da da da da
corn flakes and milk-
I lovvvvv.
Corn flakes and milk,
and baby you too,
Without you three,
life would be icky-poo,
oh ple-ease help me
to love you
as much as I love
corn flakes and milk,
da da da da,
corn flakes and milk!
I love……
By: Diane Judem on July 28, 2008
at 5:13 pm
That’s wonderful Diane! Thanks so much.
I remember the Maccabiah that was announced with the blue cream cheese in the bagels. A couple people got up early and skirt the stuff in. Unfortunately everyone looked at it and thought they were moldy. No one realized it was Maccabiah!
I can’t wait to see the pictures from the w/e. Does anyone remember the sign on Chalutzim Hill that read “please adjust your oxygen masks”?
Mike Isacson – you were in charge of the music part of a performing arts group we had as alternative to being a Chalutzim. Maybe ’68. I remember performing for Isaac Bashevis Singer in the manor house. In fact, that is where we rehearsed both music and dance. Don’t think it was as late as ’70 since I was working in the infirmary that year. I do remember singing your jazz service. Sliv and Judy Kahan were in it too.
Thank you for mentioning Sam Gideon “Gid”. He was a very special person and I will never forget the horrible day that he died at camp in 1969.
Sue
By: Susan Cohen Bernay on July 28, 2008
at 6:18 pm
Sue,
that oxygen sign was on the way up to Cardiac the Chalutz bunk up the wood plank wedged steps in the side of the earth. needless to say I remember it. I too remember encountering a skunk under that bunk as I caught my last gasp about to climb into the bunk. When I saw the skunk, I ran down those horrible steps tripping on the roots and washed out steps to the cornfield hoping that Pepi La Pew was not following me.
By: mike ehrlich on July 28, 2008
at 7:34 pm
Diane,
I know that there is a line in the song that goes “you’ve got the secret that only Kelloggs knows”. I think it’s in the missing lyrics because it came at the end of the song.
Is there someplace I can post my pics from years back to share?
Sue
By: Susan Cohen Bernay on July 29, 2008
at 8:26 am
Sue,
You’re right! I knew that stanza…even at the 25th. By the way, I googled Corn Flakes and Milk and actually found words…but some I’ve never heard…some were basically the same as we know them to be. Do you remember who wrote it? I thought it was our songleader, the one we had in 1963. Was Jerry songleading then? I seem to remember someone else, and in my photo of the original dining hall there is someone else playing guitar and songleading.
Diane
Diane Klein- apparently you are my namesake! I’ve never known anyone else with my name…and to think you were at Eisner right after I was! Is Klein your maiden name or family name? my father was Daniel Klein. email me at judem@rcn.com so we can find out more!
By: Diane Judem on July 29, 2008
at 8:50 am
Another name to be remembered:
Sally Schwartz
By: Randi Epstein on July 29, 2008
at 9:47 am
Diane,
You captured alot in what you wrote.
For me, it’s a feeling that wraps me in the gut and heart… of camp as it was back then, as it is now and it’s years in between that accompany the long inhalation of Birkshire air that leaves one wondering….wow! This was so long ago and yet it feels like yesterday.
Where does the time go?
It always tugs at the heartstrings to see the natural beauty of the Birkshires that surround the camp and it takes my breath away.
You wrote about Alma Maters. Before the Alma Mater that Donna Fialkoff and Jerry Brieger wrote, I remember a song sung around the friendship circles which went something like this:
Days pass and years go by,
ever and ever…
Days pass and years go by,
ever and ever…
And as the song we sing…
(I forgot this line) help me out? Anybody?
Life is a joyous thing,
Ever and ever…
verses are repeated
The lyrics are hazy but I do remember that may have been the original Alma Mater before the Fialkoff/Brieger song replaced it.
Rick
writing from an old Pentium One that I cobbled together after my 3 year old P-3 melted down the other day.
I’m saying Kaddish for the P-3. It was a good computer while it lived.
By: Rick Ehrlich on July 29, 2008
at 7:49 pm
Yes Rick! I remember that song. And I started in 66.
I love what you are all saying. It’s all so true– about the connections to the camp, to the berkshires and most important, the people.
The number of years that have past is incomprehensible. I don’t feel as old as I am, so how has so much happend in my life?
Just as I felt so strongly after my Meltarim year in 71, can we all go back there again this weekend?
By: Jill Winitzer on July 29, 2008
at 10:02 pm
This past weekend was very special and moving, on many different levels. The most significant was to be back at camp and seeing so many old friends — some whom I had not thought about for more than thirty decades, and whom I would now want to stay in touch with. Michael Ehrlich, Don Kent, the Grubers, Michael Schroder (with whom I am always in contact anyway), Mal, Wesley, Marsha, Art Berkowitz, Randy Levinson, Jon Chase, Debbie Good — and former campers like Barrie and Laurie G. — such powerful memories came flooding back. Please do stay in touch; send me your email addresses.
The second powerful thing was to be with my son Sam (great blogging Sam!), and to realize how deeply ingrained Eisner is in his soul (thanks, Wesley, for the photo) — from the time he started day camp at Eisner (how many people didn’t know that there was such a thing?), all the way through high school and college. To share that time with him and my brother was really sacred.
Thanks, everyone, for being there, and making that Shabbat truly special for me.
By: Jeff Salkin on July 29, 2008
at 10:09 pm
Everybody:
I am so moved by every sentiment that each of you express. Even those of you I don’t know! So evident is the fact that Eisner has touched each of us so deeply in exactly the same way. The people make the place and the place makes the people. Rick- I too remember that song, and while I can even hear it being sung (harmony and all) I can feel the precise feelings of the warm embrace each friendship circle used to provide.
This reunion was such an incredible experience- apparently some of us don’t want it to end.
I too would love to get people’s email addresses. Will they be in the alumni directory?
Mike Schroder- I hope you decide to pick up your guitar again- every time I hear James Taylor, I think of you. Please send me your email address!
Laila Tov everyone!
By: Diane Judem on July 29, 2008
at 11:41 pm
I cannot believe what a fabulous memory Mike Ehrlich and Jeff Salkin have. As you write down all your memories, mine come flooding back. Things I haven’t thought about in years! I remember seeing the Lovin’ Spoonful in 65 and Chicago at Tangelwood. Mike, I remember washing my hair in the rain in front of pink house! Jeff Salkin, send me your email address, I have a nice photo from the reunion. Stay in touch.
By: Marsha Oppenheimer Eidlin on July 30, 2008
at 11:45 am
Hi Marsha: It was great seeing you again (and Stephanie Kanarek and the former Debbie Falkenstein and Joanie Fishbein and Merri R-M): I was tickled at how well everyone looks, especially the women.
It occurs to me that the Eisner summers were the best times of my life. As I walked through the camp the other day (something I have often done, even in the intervening years)l, it was as if I could tell a story about something that happened in the vicinity of every tree and every blade of grass. As Neil Young wrote in “Helpless:” “All my changes were there.” That’s what makes a place holy,l I think.
My email address is jeffsalkin@gmail.com — Mike Ehrlich, what’s yours (and does anyone have Randy L’s)? My web site, if you’re curious, is judaismmatters.org Please do stay in touch — you are all very precious people.
By: Jeff Salkin on July 30, 2008
at 2:34 pm
anyone remember running down any one of the roads in sandals and catching a rock between your sandal and the bottom of your foot? Yeoooooow! I used to run all over camp because I’d not leave what I was doing until I was due to be somewhere else, and then sprint over mostly to work in the kitchen. Dishwashing was great. I didn’t have to show up until after the meal was started, and as long as one person was at the station, they could handle the early returns.
Jeff, you’ve got mail.
By: mike ehrlich on July 30, 2008
at 7:20 pm
Not only do I remember running all over camp and getting rocks and dirt in my sandals, but this past weekend, wearing sandals as I was, that memory was all too vivid!!! We walked all over the camp this past weekend, from the Quad to crossroads to what used to be Ofarim and Tzofim (my bunks, the old bunks 10, 14 and 16) are actually still in existence, the only 3 left standing from that era, and up to the former Chalutzim hill. We even walked around the back of Pink House where I swear I could still see me and Debbie Levitan choreographing my gymnastics routine for Tanglewood at Eisner to “Running Hard” by Renaissance! This time around, I hardly cared about the dirt and the rocks I picked up in my sandals. It felt like home…
By: Diane Klein on July 30, 2008
at 11:13 pm
Actually, Sy Brief became camp director in 1963.
I was counselor with Muff on Hilltop in 1963. During the 1964 season I was reassigned from Hilltop to the waitress group. We continued to use the green house as the dining room for one more summer and in 1966, I believe, we retired the green house for dining and moved to the “new” dining hall on the hill.
By: Beth Scheibel Joseph on July 31, 2008
at 2:05 pm
Wish I could have been there last week- but in spirit I felt present.
I was a chalutzim counselor in 1970- the words to all of the verses of Cornflakes and milk I remember distinctly;
VERSE 1
Oh your eyes are like diamonds, your hair is like silk,
I love you always, with cornflakes and milk,
Oh, please help me, to love you as much as I love,
Cornflakes and milk, da da da da
Cornflakes and milk, da da da da
Cornflakes and milk I love
VERSE 2
Oh, the devil with wheaties dropped dead sugar crisp,
I love you always, in spite of your lisp,.
Oh please help me to love you as much as I love….
Cornflakes and milk, da da da da
Cornflakes and milk, da da da da
Cornflakes and milk I love
VERSE 3:
Oh, cornflakes and milk, and my darling, you too.l
Without you three life would be “Icky-pooh!”
Oh, please help me to love you as much as I love…
Cornflakes and milk, da da da da
Cornflakes and milk, da da da da
Cornflakes and milk I love……I LOVE!
By: Barb (Goldman) Finer on July 31, 2008
at 5:55 pm
It was 1966 that we moved to the new dining room. I have the yearbook from that summer and it shows us in it. I do remember eating in the greenhouse in ’65; very cozy!
I am trying to scan all of my pictures so that they can be shared with everyone. I can’t believe that I still have so much!
Sue
By: Susan Cohen Bernay on July 31, 2008
at 6:18 pm
remember slamming the lunch trays on the tables in the old dining room. What a racket we made singing and keeping time with the lunch trays.
By: mike ehrlich on July 31, 2008
at 8:20 pm
I also want to add Ira Abramowitz to our list of lost, dear friends. May his memory be a blessing always.
By: Diane Judem on July 31, 2008
at 9:48 pm
Barb – you are wonderful! My dream of knowing all the words has been fulfilled!
Sue
By: Susan Cohen Bernay on August 1, 2008
at 7:46 am
Could this be the “missing” verse of Cornflakes and Milk:
I like Rice Krispies, and even Cheerios,
But you’ve got the secret, that only Kelloggs Knows!
Etc, etc.
Sue
By: Susan Cohen Bernay on August 3, 2008
at 4:04 pm
Sue:
I think you’ve got it! I do remember this verse, especially the second line.
I think we’ve got the whole thing now!
Best,
Diane
By: Diane Judem on August 4, 2008
at 1:59 pm
I am sad that I missed this event… Finals in graduate school (again).
Where are the 1970s campers??? I started at the camp as a Bonim in 1969 and last was at Eisner as a “temporary counselor” in the mid 1970s, working a gig in NYC before able to work at the camp.
I don’t see our generation represented in this blog here. Except brother David, in whose shadow I tried earnestly to establish my own identity.
And, BTW ungrateful David, who do you think set things up for your 13th birthday with your parents footing the bill for a special cake and for the bunk to celebrate all that is you. (And Dad was wholly serious ;-). If he only knew what we learned at Eisner.
That’s a whole other blog. The R rated version of what I learned as an adolescent at Eisner.
Paul Schrauer(sp?) and those little plants named after him (Shrauer flowers) drying neatly at the back door of my bunk with my now Rabbi counselor distributing the dried goods, if they were worthy. Yikes!
Camping trips that were coed at 12, the Eisner way was Not what Dad would have wanted for his daughter — “Is that what you learned at Eisner….”?
I miss the fun and humor and free spirit of Eisner. I miss the beauty of a white shabbat, maybe I’ll think of adding a white Saturday to my observance?
Where is everyone from our generation?
By: Alice Oppenheimer on August 7, 2008
at 8:32 am