Rabbi Berel and Chani Majesky of Friendship Circle of Brooklyn decided to stop by some camps upstate to surprise their FC friends that they are in touch with during the year. The reaction to their visit warmed their heart.
The Majeskys went Upstate for a few days to raise funds and speak at 5 different bungalow colonies as part of their annual Package Parties. With a few hours to spare, they decided to stop by some camps nearby to surprise their Special FC campers.
The reaction they received was heartwarming.
While some campers warmly embraced and welcomed them, sprinting across fields to say hello; breaking out in cheer, “Everybody say, I LOVE FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE.” There were other campers, who it wasn’t certain that they would recognize or remember them. After all, the Majeskys “belong” in Crown Heights, at Friendship Circle. A new place, a new surrounding, could mean that the child could not place them.
The smiles and open hearts though were incredible. One of the staff members at one of the camps started telling the Majeskys a heartwarming story that had taken place the day before with “their son”. He couldn’t believe it when he was told that he’s not a physical child of theirs. “I could see that the connection between the camper and Berel was so strong – it seemed obvious that they must be related,” he said.
“Are you going upstate to visit the camps again? Please do me a favor. If you see my Tzaddik, tell your husband to give him a huge hug from us. He’s been sick and we are not able to take care of him from afar.” One mother wrote. After sending a selfie with her son, she was calm in the knowledge that “he looks happy BH. Thank you for checking on him.”
Camper Chayale at the Sunshine Bunk in Camp Emunah was elated to receive a surprise birthday visit. She relayed how the counselors in her bunk, the majority being FC Volunteer Alumni, were “taking such good care of me.”
When camper Sholom spotted the Majeskys across the field in Camp HASC he yelled “ay – it’s the Majeskys” and went on to give big hugs and fist pumps to the Majesky kids. “Did you miss us?” Berel asked. “Ye, I did” Sholom responded with a huge smile spread across his face.
Seeing the special campers so happy and well taken care of, despite the needs of each child being so vastly different, is the highlight of the Majeskys summer each year. The FC members may be ‘out of sight” each summer, but they are definitely not ‘out of mind.’
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As Friendship Circle is close to finishing construction on their new property, follow along behind the scenes!
