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Staff Orientation @ Camp HASC ‘26

Rabbi Daniel Kalish Shiurim - Waterbury Mesivta1h 37m

A staff orientation event at Camp HASC featuring multiple speakers who emphasize the sanctity of small acts of kindness, the importance of making others smile, and the power of recommitting to meaningful work when facing obstacles. The event celebrates the Rebbe's teachings about service and includes Hebrew songs, storytelling, and inspirational messages.

Summary

This transcript captures a Camp HASC staff orientation event that opens with an introduction by a leader expressing gratitude for gathering together before the Three Weeks period. The speaker references Yud-Gimel Tamuz and tells the story of the Previous Rebbe (Rebbe Rayatz), who was arrested by Soviet authorities for teaching Torah and faced execution but remained fearless, believing in one God and the World to Come. The Previous Rebbe later came to America and established a system of shluchim (emissaries) to spread Torah worldwide, working with his son-in-law (the future Lubavitcher Rebbe) to expand this mission. A pivotal story illustrates the Previous Rebbe's instruction that there is 'no such thing as something small' when serving others, a lesson that becomes the evening's central theme. The event features gratitude expressions toward Rabbi Kalish (the guest), Mr. Abe Eisner (board chairman), and Mo Waller (a young writer and speaker). Mo discusses Parshat Balak, interpreting Bilaam's observation about the Jewish people's tents as recognition of their private spiritual life and in-house acts of chesed (kindness). He emphasizes finding one's unique 'light' and way of connecting to God, rather than copying others. A musical performance breaks up the speaking. Rabbi Kalish then delivers an extended address connecting the work of camp staff to building the Third Temple, framing personal acts of kindness as part of a larger Jewish journey toward redemption. He discusses the holiness of weddings, the role of spiritual blockages (meni'os) as opportunities for recommitment rather than reasons to quit, and urges staff to recognize that making another Jew smile is the holiest work in the world. The event concludes with communal singing and hand-holding while singing 'Bar Yochai.' Throughout, speakers blend Chassidic teachings, personal anecdotes, and motivational messages to inspire summer staff.

About this episode

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Key Insights

  • The Previous Rebbe taught his successor through a single moment: when the future Rebbe mentioned a 'small' detail about camp work, the Previous Rebbe said 'There is no such thing as something small' — establishing the foundation for a life dedicated to meaningful service.
  • The Previous Rebbe was arrested and sentenced to death by Soviet authorities for teaching Torah but remained fearless, declaring that he had faith in God and the World to Come, so he was not troubled by threats.
  • Bilaam's observation that the Jewish people's tents were beautiful, according to Rashi, meant that the tent openings faced different directions so people could not see into each other's private spaces — representing the holiness of private, in-house chesed.
  • Making another Jew smile, even for a few minutes, is described as holy work (Kiddush Hashem) and is more important than impressive achievements or titles.
  • Mo Waller argues that Torah is personal and dynamic — when you open a parsha at a specific moment in your life, it is meant to speak directly to you at that moment.
  • Spiritual blockages and obstacles should not cause people to quit meaningful work but should instead prompt them to pause, rethink, and recommit with renewed passion.
  • Rabbi Kalish teaches that wedding ceremonies are holy spaces where souls from the World to Come come to witness, because the commitment of two Jews to each other is an incredibly sacred act.
  • The ash placed on the groom's forehead before walking down the aisle is meant not to dampen the simcha but to expand it by reminding him that his personal joy is connected to the larger Jewish journey toward redemption and building the Third Temple.
  • Staff at the camp should understand that when they make a camper smile for just a few minutes, they are representing the entire Jewish people (Klal Yisrael) and contributing to something much larger than themselves.
  • The definition of a warm yeshiva or institution is that the rabbeinim and staff are good to each other and kind to those around them — this warmth then extends to all who come.
  • Mo Waller learned in Waterbury that everyone has a song to write and a light to shine — people should not imitate others but find their own unique way to connect with God and contribute meaningfully.
  • The Barditchever teaches that when a donkey (representing a person) stops moving due to a blockage, it is an opportunity to pause and decide again whether to continue, and that deciding again to pursue the right path with fresh commitment is what creates a person of passion and fire.

Topics

The sanctity of small acts of kindness and serviceStories of the Previous Rebbe and his fearlessness under Soviet persecutionRebbe's teachings about spreading Torah and building a system of shluchimThe lesson that there is no such thing as something small in serviceParshat Balak and the Jewish people's private spiritual lifeFinding one's unique light and way of connection to GodMaking other Jews smile as the holiest workSpiritual blockages (meni'os) as opportunities for recommitmentThe connection between personal kindness and building the Third TempleThe importance of community and collective celebrationGratitude and acknowledgment of leaders and volunteers

Transcript

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