Peace and Kindness Go Hand in Hand at SI JCC Day Camp
Morning drop-off at Staten Island JCC Day Camp is a bustle of activity. Dozens of staff members direct cars to stop along the gravel path at the foot of the 75-acre Henry Kaufman campgrounds. Counselors rush over, open the doors, take campers by the hand, and welcome them to another fun-filled day. Pop music blares, notching up the happy cacophony.
With their back seats now empty, parents drive slowly toward the exit, confident their children will spend the next hours in summertime bliss.
But before reentering the churn of the grown-up world, parents get another reminder of the tender care and uplifting activities their children will experience at Camp.
A mural painted on the side of the Camp office displays a vibrant hand with five fingers outstretched. Inside the open palm, a pink flower unfolds. The scene is set against peaceful blue and a subtle rainbow.
It is SIJCC Day Camp’s version of a Hamsa.
The Hamsa — also known as the Hand of Fatima and the Hand of Miriam — is an ancient icon that has a special place in Judaism. It is also regarded as a sacred and respected symbol in Islam and Christianity, and even appears in Hinduism, Buddhism, and in Anatolia.
The Hamsa has many interpretations, but is universally seen as a sign of protection and a promise to bring goodness to those who wear it as an amulet, paint it or display it in their homes.
At SI JCC Camp, the Hamsa is our promise to the community that we are a place of inclusiveness, honor, peace and kind-heartedness.
Come take a look at our mural and feel our commitment to upholding the virtues of Hamsa at the Henry Kaufman Campgrounds, 1131 Manor Road. To schedule a tour please call 718.475.5231 or email gwechsler@sijcc.com.
For more information, visit our web site at camp.sijcc.org and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
