Whole Again: Community, Connection, & the Power of Brotherhood

At Bauercrest, we often speak of ‘brotherhood,’ sometimes forgetting the true power behind the meaning of the word. This past Monday, as we witnessed the long-awaited return of hostages to their families in Israel, we felt a profound sense of relief and gratitude. It reminded me how essential it is to feel seen, supported, and cared for by those around us. My mind wandered to how this is embodied at Bauercrest. Realistically, if you’ve ever watched a game on the Hillside, you know how fiercely our boys compete. But the real story of Bauercrest isn’t written in wins and losses; it’s in what happens when the game ends. The  true magic of camp, I believe, is found in those moments when a camper, fresh from victory, notices the disappointment in a friend’s eyes and chooses empathy over celebration and connection over rivalry.

In our Bauercrest bubble, we are often sheltered from the harsh realities of the world, realities that our friends and families from, or those with connections to Israel have had to confront in the most painful ways since October 7th. While we are fortunate to experience the safety of our bubble, my aim as Director is to ensure that the true meaning of brotherhood always guides our Hillside. I hope our boys recognize the impact they can have by lifting each other up, sharing in one another’s experiences, and standing together through every high and low. I want each of our boys to look beyond the scoreboard and see the moments that truly matter, the ones where we choose to support, to understand, and to strengthen the connections that make us a community. My wish is that these lessons stay with our campers long after they leave the bubble, shaping how they care for others wherever life takes them.

Just a little over a week ago, I wrote to you sharing that our hearts remain with the families in Israel whose connection to their loved ones had been shattered by horrific, atrocious acts. This past Monday, the hope we have carried together was realized as we watched families reunite with loved ones who had been stolen from them. The relief and gratitude we feel for these families is deep and real, but so is our awareness of the lingering pain, fear, and uncertainty that preceded these reunions and that continues for so many. In these moments, the values we talk about at camp—empathy, understanding, and brotherhood—take on new urgency and meaning.

One of my favorite counselors when I was a camper taught me that when we choose empathy, understanding, and true support day after day, moment after moment, we build something rare and meaningful. It’s more than friendship; it’s a closeness that defies simple explanation. The connection formed is so deep and unwavering that “brotherhood” is the only word that comes close, even when there’s no biological family tie. It’s the unmistakable feeling you get standing on a bench and singing at the top of your lungs during Friday night songs, running around the Rose Arbour with your big brother during Father Abraham, or simply feeling seen and understood when your counselor comes to your bedside and says goodnight before you fall asleep surrounded by bunkmates. These are the moments that make us feel whole, complete, secure, and, most importantly, strong in our identity.

After 738 seemingly endless days, we are incredibly grateful that the 20 remaining living hostages returned home to Israel and finally get to feel that sense of being whole again, surrounded by those who love and understand them. As a community, we are eternally thankful for the hostages’ safe return, and we continue to pray for peace, healing, and hope for a brighter, safer, more “whole” world on our hillside and far beyond.