By Zane Zicklin, Sports Specialist

Playing sports is part of our daily life at Camp Kalsman. With this year’s theme, it’s easier than ever to incorporate Jewish values to the games we play. Our theme teaches us that strength is defined as overcoming negative impulses.

With this theme, we are turning the definition of strength on its head with less importance on who is winning and more emphasis on helping each other learn, cheering each other on, and working together towards a common goal. We teach that the strongest of us are those who encourage rather than put down.

Sports inherently has an aspect of competition, which can create feelings of disappointment if a team doesn’t win a game. It’s how we channel these feelings that count towards the character we want to be. Instead of putting down the other team, learn from them, congratulate them, and treat them with respect. Instead of calling other people names, tell them how well they played, or that it was fun playing with them.

Our Kalsman community is strong, and we believe sports make our Kehilah Kedoshah that much stronger. We are able to learn from each other, respect each other, and have fun with our friends. By redefining strength in sports, we find that the fun of the game with our friends, and the team we’re part of becomes more important than making that shot, or winning the game.