Opinion

So what’s with the swag?

Wherever you go these days people seem to be very into swag. The term “swag” originated in hip-hop culture, but it has entered mainstream lingo. It refers to clothing and accessories that have a particular logo or design representing a certain brand. Wearing or sporting swag is meant to confer confidence because of the swag.

It’s ironic but, as an eighth-grader, I did not want to attend Yeshiva Shaarei Torah. My older brother was there, and my parents felt it would be a good fit for me as well, but I didn’t agree.

Looking back, 30 years later, I am ever grateful that my parents insisted on sending me to Yeshiva Shaarei Torah. The Yeshiva became my second home for many wonderful years.

One night this past summer, Camp Dora Golding went on a trip to a water park. Since the water park was not that far from camp, I drove there with my sons instead of going on one of the camp buses.

Summer camp is a place of smiles, fun, excitement, joy, friendship, sunshine, creativity, adventures, and more.

One afternoon this week, while driving my car, as soon as I stopped at a red light, the air conditioning began blowing hot air. It was a hot day, and the air conditioning was on at full blast, so the effect of the hot air was immediate. As soon as I began driving again, the air reverted to being cold.

In Camp Dora Golding, we invest a lot of time and effort to develop a Tish’ah B’Av morning program that will inspire our campers and hopefully resonate with them. As is the practice in many shuls and camps, we don’t recite too many kinos. But each one that we do say is introduced by one of the camp rebbeim, followed by an inspiring and relevant video.