We have an alma mater. You heard me. For campers of the late seventies up until the present, you might be asking yourself why you never heard such a composition. Truthfully, we have no explanation. Somewhere along the way the alma mater was lost to the library of music that has been composed on these camp grounds. In the flurry of the 50th Anniversary Planning we were sent lyrics to “The Eisner Alma Mater.” Perplexed, we called a few alumni from the mid-sixties to verify whether or not Eisner ever had one in the first place. Not only did we stumble on a valuable relic, we ever had one alum sing us the melody. From there, assistant director Greg Kellner took the matter into his own hands and re-recorded the alma mater in two versions, one with and without guitar. Take a listen, it may bring back old memories or give you a new view of Eisner history.
CLICK TO LISTEN!
This is what Greg Kellner had to say about all of this…
About a year ago, I was speaking with my Uncle, Mitch, about the time he spent as a child at camp. He had incredibly vivid memories of the camp and gave me a quite descriptive “map” from memory. While many people have such images that have lasted decades, I was shocked when he told me of an Alma Mater from his time at camp and proceeded to sing every single word of this song while not missing a single beat, note or word. I didn’t think much of it at the time other than “Wow! That’s cool”. A number of weeks ago we were emailed the lyrics to an alma mater but nothing to guide us for the melody. When I saw the lyrics, the song was the very same song my uncle had sang to me a year ago, so I called him up and asked him to sing it for my voicemail. With the combination of the lyrics and recorded music, I learned the tune in a few minutes and we recorded it in our brand new recording studio, part of the Tilles Cultural Arts Program in the Tzofim Beit Am. I hope that you enjoy the recording and that it brings back wonderful memories. There are two versions, the first A’Capella and the second with guitar. I can just imagine this song being sung in the Beit Knesset or Bonim Beit Am during t’fillah or at meal time… Both of these rooms have magical acoustics and I can just hear in my head the voices of Eisner Camp joining together to create this beautiful melody. The recording we made will never do justice to a group of campers singing this all together with incredible heartfelt emotion. As a former head song leader and now assistant director, I feel a true connection to the musical history of Eisner Camp. We are blessed to have this new recording studio to capture the wonderful music that has graced Eisner Camp for so many years and will do the same for years to come.
Dave Silverstein
Sam Salkin
Keeping the Hill Alive 
I seem to recall that this song started as a Maccabiah team song. We were taught this and practiced in great secrecy and when we performed it the other team was just blown away. Hearing it again brought tears to my eyes.
By: Nancy Lawson Green on July 11, 2008
at 6:02 pm
This alma mater was written by Jerry Brieger (of Hank and Jerry fame) and Barbara Fialkov, when they were the heads of my team in Maccabiah in 1964. They wrote the alma mater, as it was a requirement in Maccabiah to compose one. I don’t remember the outcome of that particular Maccabiah or even which team we were (blue or white!), but from that time on, this was THE alma mater that we all sang. It did replace one from before that, but I have never remembered that one…Summers Come and Summers Leave so elegantly captured what we all felt about camp!
By: Diane Judem on July 11, 2008
at 6:19 pm
We were singing this alma mater into the early seventies…I remembered every word to this day, and even hummed the music while rocking my babies to sleep through the years. “Through this camp we’ll be one, like the earth and the sky, and our lives will be locked in thy gates” So, so true…
Thanks Greg!
By: Janice Birnbaum on July 11, 2008
at 11:00 pm
Dear Greg,
Thanks so much for bringing back a beautiful rendition of the Camp Eisner “alma matter”. I was so deeply touched as a camper in ?1968 by this beautiful song that I committed it to memory in one day! It has remained with me throughout my life, and I would often sing it to my children as we went on family trips or hiked. I feared that the song would be forever lost since I heard that it hadn’t been used, or even heard of, in years.
I have some pictures of camp from back then…the formal gardens, the outdoor and indoor sanctuary, my bunk and counselors, etc. Should you want them please let me know! I would love to attend the reunion…I need to check my schedule! I have such beautiful and vivid memories of my experience at Camp Eisner…its spiritual beauty and tranquility still lives within my heart!
Enjoy the summer at camp! Maybe I’ll see you at the reunion. I know that Camp Eisner is in good hands with you serving as the Assistant Director!!
With much love,
Uncle Mitch
(Mitch Zuckerman, camper during 1968-1969 (or 1969-1970)
By: Mitch Zuckerman on July 12, 2008
at 5:58 am
I just received this email from my niece, whose daughter, Julia Zuckerberg, is a camper. She loves the camp as I did many, many years ago when I worked at the camp under the director, Sy Brief. Unfortunately, the information about the reunion reached me too late to change my plans to be in the area the week of July 21. I am so sorry to to miss this event, especially when I could have easily switched my reservations to an earlier date, now that I have retired after 27 years of teaching. I will be with you in spirit and a big hello to all those folks from 1963, ’64, ’65, ’66 who might remember me.
Happy Reunion, Beth Scheibel Joseph
By: Beth Scheibel Joseph on July 12, 2008
at 10:57 am
Summers come and summers leave
And all things change as the lives we lead
Yet through all times we can not undue
Thy beauty of thy spirit and the peace that it is you
The mist on the water like clouds on the mirror
The sun’s gentle warm spring gold on the hills
As evening descends on the whispering pines
A slow gentle chance of the secrets of time
As we look down the hill to the world below
We are wrapped in a blanket of dreams
And the task is ours to let all know
That the dream is as real as it seems
Our dreams and our hopes have been breathed unto us
By our unity with life’s holy faith
Through this camp we’ll be one
Like the earth and they sky
And our lives will be locked in they gates
By: Linda Birnbaum on July 13, 2008
at 11:05 am
Oops! I had been advised that the reunion was the weekend of July 17,18, and 19th not the 25th and 26th. Unfortunately, we will be leaving the area on the 24th and will miss the wonderful events planned. Have a terrific reunion!
The alma mater is so beautiful and meaningful! Beth
By: Beth Scheibel Joseph on July 13, 2008
at 1:27 pm
Yes! I wanted to confirm the latest entries to this blog by Nancy Lawson and Diane Judem. In 1969 I had not heard this song until sometime during the Maccabiah games. I am almost certain that it was reserved for Maccabiah. Good memory guys!!
By: Mitch Zuckerman on July 14, 2008
at 4:33 am
Just a slight modification to Linda Birnbaum’s second stanza…My memory goes like this:
The mist on the water like clouds on a mirror
The sun’s gentle warmth spraying gold on the hills
As evening descends on the whispering pines
The slow gentle chant of the secrets of time
lol…I would be interested to know which is correct!
Mitch Zuckerman
By: Mitch Zuckerman on July 14, 2008
at 4:49 am
Mitch,
Yours sounds more correct.
In my time, in the late 60s/early 70)this song was always song after the banquet. We all gathered around the lake, and sang this song as aluminum boats holding candles floated across the lake. It was beautiful and sad at the same time because it signified that the summer was about to “leave”.
By: Linda Birnbaum on July 14, 2008
at 8:52 am
Greg
Thank you for doing this, listening to the song brought back so many memories and transported me back
By: Leslie Resnick on July 14, 2008
at 12:20 pm
Can’t believe it isn’t still sung! Get with it you present campers and staff!! I have the song permanently etched in my brain along with “leaving on a Jet plane” the unofficial camp song of the 60’s crew.
By: Jenny Miller on July 14, 2008
at 8:52 pm
Linda, I think you were my counselor one Bonim summer. I too have vivid memories of singing the alma mater as we floated candles on boats on the lake. The depth of our shared spiritual moments at Eisner have clearly enriched our lives ever since!
By: Joyce Shapiro Gordon on July 15, 2008
at 5:48 pm
hmm..can’t hear the lovely Alma Mater, keep getting an error code. Can someone forward it to me in email? Thanks. LK
By: Lisa Kohn on July 15, 2008
at 6:16 pm
I was thinking about Song Sessions and Camp Fires…and music: From
Ramie in 1968 singing us to sleep *Bonim BUNK2*(and I mean SLEEP) w/ the ENTIRE Alice’s Restaurant, OPPY’s TILA LA LA LA LA LA LA (THE BASIC karate theme) hashme-be-aynee?? (Senior Moment..)
Hava Nashirah, LINDA ZIMMERMAN & OTHERS: If 2&2 and 50 make a million, we’ll see that world come round, we’ll see that world come round. One Hand can’t build a world of love…..Two hands can’t build a world of love, but if 2+2+50 make a million,
**such hope and promise lived in camp**always. LECHA DO DI X 40!
ALL WAYS. ALWAYS! MAYA FEH HAYOM SHABBAT SHALOM. 1968-1971ISH..CAMP CHOIR: (Ramie-Merry) HODU LA SULTAN….and another summer I remember during hearing a very NON Musical Background Noise…of “FRUBAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
NOW…I don’t know the bunk #, I do remember a young Eric Gruber leading it in Chant…in the dining room. What Bonim boys were so impressionable! 🙂 I know, don’t ask……
MACCABIAH…1973ISH WHEN I WAS IN SHOMRIM…(WAITER/WAITRESS–PINK HOUSE)–white Team Generals: L. Kohn and Jim Levi. OH LEVI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”””””””””””””””It wasn’t the Generals actually and it wasn’t THE COMPETITION…it was the enormous effort and energy put forth by Campers, Staff and all involved, in the creative expression of our Jewish Culture through Art, Music, Drama, Dance–Daliah? and more. And if there NEVER was Macabbiah….We all would have still had those uplifting experiences of expressing our love for each other and judiasm. Can’t Help But Wonder Wear I’m Bound: Tom Paxton, Earlier than that…my sister in 1967 came home singing Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne”, Jet Plane, “Dreamer–keeps a Dreamin…ages Long….Keeps a Dreamin’ Keeps a Dreamin..along!
ANNOUNCEMENTS in the diningroom!
Now I’m wondering if some one can clip that one into a listen on this sight.
Not the most melodic, but it WAS camp for all the years I was there.
By: Lisa Kohn on July 15, 2008
at 6:53 pm
Mitch Z.. I think your alma mater stanza is correct. And, forget the concept of putting up the words to Announcements. Uggh. Annoying then, annoying in youth groups, conclaves, No announcements PLEASE!!!
By: Lisa Kohn on July 15, 2008
at 7:18 pm
It’s been so much fun reading everyone’s comments and recalling these heart-warming memories. Best regards to all!!
By: Mitch Zuckerman on July 16, 2008
at 12:54 pm
Just a few minor corrections: Here are the correct lyrics to THE Alma Mater!
Summers come and summers leave
And all things change as our lives we lead
Yet through all times we can not undo
The beauty of thy spirit and the peace that it is you
The mist on the water like clouds on the mirror
The sun’s gentle warmth springing gold on the hills
As evening descends on the whispering pines
A slow gentle chant of the secrets of time
As we look down the hill to the world below
We are wrapped in a blanket of dreams
And the task is ours to let all know
That the dream is as real as it seems
Our dreams and our hopes have been breathed unto us
By our unity with life’s holy faith
Through this camp we’ll be one
Like the earth and they sky
And our lives will be locked in thy
gates
By: Diane Judem on July 16, 2008
at 7:11 pm
I always remember the word “spraying”gold on the hills, too.
I thought for many years that I was the only one who remembered this beautiful song and also sang it for my son (although not nearly as beautifully as our songleaders).
One year, I think it was Merri? who was the songleader and also my counselor. She sang us to sleep every night, and it was one of the best times of day.
By: Debbie Falkenstein Olson on July 16, 2008
at 9:13 pm
And I remember “spreading” gold on the hills!
I too sang this song to kids, along with other great songs in hebrew: Havana shira, shir haleluya, bim bam, and others.
By: Jill Winitzer on July 17, 2008
at 8:25 am
Does anyone remember the song that preceded this one?
“Camp Institute we raise
our hands in thy praise…”
Thats as far as I can go with it. It probably dates from before 1965.
By: Nancy Lawson Green on July 17, 2008
at 5:23 pm
yeah, I think it WAS spraying gold on the hills!
By: Diane Judem on July 17, 2008
at 10:57 pm
Greg,
Nice job. Even with all of the corrections, it is a great shot.
As songleader, my most memorable singing of the alma mater was the last night of camp each year when the entire camp wrapped around the lake and as we sang song after song, one person from each bunk lit a candle, placed it on a small wooden boat and launched it into the water. When all of the candles (dozens) were floating out to the middle of the lake and you can see the dim of everyone’s faces from the dock all the way to the swimming area (near the upper parking lot), we all stated to sing. . . . Summers come and summers leave. . . As I sit hear I can imagine the feeling of warmth we all had as we started thinking about coming back to be with our friends just 10 months away. I can feel that warmth as I sit here and write these words. See you all at the reunion. . . .
By: Stephen Brand on July 21, 2008
at 10:21 pm
Oh yeah one more thing. . . who had the job of getting all of those candles the next morning!!!???
See you all soon.
Stephen Brand
Stephbrand@gmail.com
By: Stephen Brand on July 21, 2008
at 10:22 pm
I just found an original 44 year old faded, type-written Maccabiah songsheet from Maccabiah 1964, including the Alma Mater by Jerry Brieger and Barbara Fialkoff. The correct words are:
Summers come and summers leave
And all things change as our lives we lead
Yet through all times we can not undo
The beauty of thy spirit and the peace that it is you
The mist on the water like clouds on the mirror
The sun’s gentle warmth spraying gold on the hills
As evening descends on the whispering pines
A slow gentle chant of the secrets of time
As we look down the hill to the world below
We are wrapped in a blanket of dreams
And the task is ours to let all know
That the dream is as real as it seems
Our dreams and our hopes have been breathed unto us
By our unity with life’s holy faiths
Through this camp we’ll be one,
Like the earth and the sky
And our lives will be locked in thy
gates
Looking forward to singing this treasured song with all of you at the reunion this weekend!
!!!!!!!!!
By: Diane Judem on July 24, 2008
at 10:14 am
The singing of the alma mater by Olim is nothing short of beautiful. The words ring true even more today than they did 34 years ago. I hope campers will be singing this song for the next 50 years and beyond.
By: Richard Stauber on July 30, 2008
at 7:52 pm