THERE ARE STRANGE THINGS DONE Joel M. Hoffman There are strange things done as we have our fun at this NFTY leadership site. For Kutz you see is the place to be to build for a future bright. But now and again our leadership train Follows a curious trail. So many's the day you'd be temped to say The train has jumped the rail. From near and from far, by bus and by car, on Wednesday you all arrived. For the people that knew a soul a two 'twas a time for friendships revived. And those that did not quickly joined our lot, of those who now all know, That these are the folks who've helped with your hopes, who've help us all to grow. So looking back, here're the various packs of those who've been here for you. Avoda and RA's, daycamp on weekdays, and the faculty joined in too To make up the teams who realized your dreams, who helped you learn and have fun For 25 days of a fun filled stay in the glorious Kutz Camp sun. The RA's strove to make sure that you rose to partake of breakfast at eight. They woke you each day in their kind loving way. That way no one was late. Class time for you meant they started to do their many and varied jobs, Some of them fun by the time they're done, but others merely most odd. They'd walk to and fro watching where you go, making sure you didn't skip class. Or if you did _ yes, God forbid! _ you knew they'd have your ass- -summing you were not among the lot that Laura the nurse had said Have permission to stay inside for the day 'cause they're sick and resting in bed. Eleven or so is when all of you'd go off to your cabins and rooms To fall asleep 'neath your own white sheets, your own little private cocoons. Except that the fun that the night brings for some tempted them not to sleep, But rather to stay awake because they had nighttime meetings to keep. And this is why, teenage girls, teenage guys, your RA's had to endure OD every eve, making sure the PP's were safe and sound and secure. They'd stay up till late, till the noise would abate, till all were sound asleep. And well past one, their work finally done, they too would nod off to sleep. Until about four, when an opening door, or some other small little clue Would alert your RA's that more than your days, your nights were full of allure. But now I've digressed and should turn to the rest. I've still much more to say About that team whom all esteem thanks to their work each day. They were all here for you, to guide what you do, to listen, to talk and respect Your emotions as you met those around you. For example, what might be the effects Of falling in love with one you're fond of. When you did then you were in in luck. For this group was trained to be one to explain the details of how to talk. To the one soul you liked when the time was just right but you didn't know what to say. Or perhaps for some there was more than just one. Here at camp pairs changed day by day. But with all of this talk of who's together or not I've erred and again digressed From my stated goal of letting you know the who, what and where of RA-ness. Rachel B. and Jennifer E. both were once students of mine. They took part in the subtle art of stepping to music in time. By that I mean the Israeli dancing scene. Though both have far surpassed Their teacher now. It's a joy to see how much knowledge and grace they've amassed. There's another RA, who I'm happy to say, is a friend, wonderful and dear Whom I first got to know many years ago, when as an infant she summered here. Now Joey R. has become quite a star. Oh. The R's for "Reichenback." But to find a rhyme for that takes time. Let's all give her a pat-on-the-back! It's time to move on from group number one to mention group number two, Avodah, I mean, that hard-working team. Let me remind you what they would do. Avodah was in charge of tasks small and large, whatever had to be done To make sure that each day of your Kutz Camp stay was healthy and safe and fun. My favorite spot at Kutz when it's hot is the pool outside of Hill One, Where each sunny day I'm happy to say I worshipped the God of the Sun. Ra, I mean, though I don't want to demean that other powerful god Whose claim to fame is an unpronounceable name, and in English just goes by "God." (Anyway,) guarding the pool and looking cool was "Scooter" (whose name is "Dave") For him and his team we had high esteem 'cause they'd be willing to save Some son-of-a-gun who shouldn't have run, but did, and so fell in. The lifeguards would blow their whistle and go into action with lifeguarding acumen. Heidi B and Rachel C were in charge of the salad bar, Thrice each day in their loving way they served us. They and Melissa R. Noa G knows more languages than me. Well, "more languages than I." "...Than I. ...Than me" It's hard you see, to rhyme and still speak proper-lye. Every day Karen A would work as part of a team That Martina Z would oversee. With Sarah and Jeremy, They worked days and nights on sound and lights. They did all sorts of things. I'd even bet they worked on this set. (And Karen also sings.) Kutz Camp is home to Camp Shalom. That's the daycamp we run From nine to three each day of the week, offering games and fun To girls and boys who love to make noise running and singing and more Chanting their cheer (that's the na-na-na-na you hear) looking cute for all to adore. The daycamp is run by Shayna Dunn, and staffed by more than a few Counselors and friends who I knew when they were participants, like you. Like Keren G., or Adam and Lil...LY. Eeep. I'm starting to babble. To make things rhyme I've been forced this time to put the acCENT on the wrong syllABLE. It's time now to note that group of folks who were happy to agree To try to provide the educational side of your summer of "oh three." But more than just that it's a well known fact that our group is fun and joyous And so whether or not you're among those we taught, to love us it is to know us. The list must start with one who in part served as my academy dean. Ellen D (That's "D" for "Dreskin" you see) is a cantor, who, it seems Can never part from this place that her heart holds so very dear. She's taught and had fun since 1991, but 1973 was her first year here. We were lucky this year to have Israelis here. I'll start by mentioning three Who do their part teaching various art. They're Eldad, Meirav and Adi. New this year is Inbal, who, I hear, has prepared a show for you With those two groups of hers, that is, the dancers, which you'll see in a minute or two. Jen and Golan have taken it upon themselves to teach here once more Thereby adding two to that lively crew of Israelis we have to adore. So far on the list we have but six of the Hebrew-speaking crowd Miri and I, too, taught some of you, how to speak Hebrew outloud. Martina Z is the one who tea- -ches theater and acting and such The Teyatron is her working home. And she likes it so very much That many's the day you saw her stay there long, long into the night Working hard and taking charge and making sure everything was just right. Caryn R.'s been here for many a year, almost since she was born, I've watched her grow from the time years ago when she and her father Norm First decided that here, for three weeks a year, Caryn would spend time with her Dad. And now Caryn's shown what we've always known, that she, too, has so much to add. Zoe would fly from the other side of the pond year after year To share in the fun of the American sun and the joy that we all create here. One year she worked as an aide to the nurse. You'd see her if you had a cough. And now she sings and does wonderful things. She's part of the songleading stahhf. Now Rachel G's also from overseas, and just like M.Z. and Z.J. Her accent belies the probably-cloudy "daiz" she spent living in the U.K. These British chaps speak English perhaps, but not English our way. Still it's always a treat to get to meet people who live far away. David and Paul aren't the same all. They've come from closer to home. Like Ellen and me -- That's Ellen D. -- Paul first started to roam This place that we know three decades ago. To have him back is a treat. And it's a joy that we've had David (Jen's Dad), who also runs NFTY-North East. Debbie E., Laura B., Amy N., Hope C., the list seems long, though it rhymes. But as before it's true once more. I just haven't got the time To tell all of you what it is they do. But there's a name that mustn't be slighted At the top of the tree is Rabbi Eve. Having her here makes us delighted. Though I've not yet begun to list everyone who teaches the classes you take Already this rhyme is on its decline with rhymes and words second rate. So while I could I suppose continue in prose until the hour is late I'll close with one thought and then I'll stop. Let me tell you about this place. The UAHC thought this would be an excellent place to stay. But Chock Full of Nuts built the huts that we now use each day. Oh yes, it's true, a coffee company too, once used this place of fame. To this very day the field across the way reminds of us their name. 'Tis been said before, and I'll say it once more, 'cause it's worth repeating anew The very strange way that yesterday returns with all of you. The irony here is that you appear, and again inhabit the huts. So that thanks to you and the things you do, Kutz again is chock full of nuts. At any rate, the hour grows late, and we've much we want to do, By "we" I mean the various teams made up of NFTYites like you. For 25 days they've practiced their ways. And now is their time to glow. As Academy departs, here's an evening of the arts. Let's get on with the show! ('Cause) there are strange things done as we have our fun at this NFTY leadership site. For Kutz you see is the place to be to build for a future bright. But now and again our leadership train Follows a curious trail. So many's the day you'd be temped to say The train has jumped the rail. (C) Copyright 1996-2003 by Joel M. Hoffman