Courage (Ometz Lev) - Jewish Life at Beber Camp

How fitting that this month, the one in which we just completed celebrating Hanukkah, we are focusing on our core Jewish value of Courage. In Hebrew, courage is Ometz Lev, which means “courage of the heart.” Courage is a trait we strongly value at Beber Camp. We help campers access their Ometz Lev by participating in a community that offers so many challenge-by-choice opportunities. At Beber, create safe opportunities for campers to step outside of their comfort zones and develop the best versions of themselves. We encourage campers to make new friends and try new activities. Our cabin activity program is specifically designed to expose campers to activities they might not otherwise choose. We encourage campers to try new things while giving them support and encouragement from staff and peers.Judah and the Maccabees accessed courage in the story of Hanukkah as they went against all odds to take on the challenge of fighting and ultimately defeating the Syrian Greeks. As a result of their Ometz Lev, the Jewish people survived. When our campers access their Ometz Lev, they continue to develop themselves as strong Jewish community members, ensuring our continued survival as a Jewish people.It’s also interesting to note that the traits of Courage and Heart are traits we value in all human beings. How do we know this? In the Wizard of Oz, Tin Man was seeking a Heart, and Lion was seeking Courage. This classic story has related to so many over the years. We want to access those traits we value! And, while Tin Man and Lion were each searching for only one, it’s significant that the term for courage in Hebrew uses both traits. Ometz Lev, “Courage of the Heart,” - you must have both courage and heart to be courageous. At Beber Camp, we work to help our campers access their personal Ometz Lev, their Courage of the Heart.

Learn more about Jewish Life here.