Two Generations- One Camp

 THE FATHER

by Danny Mansberg, Current Jacobs Camp Committee Chair, former SoFTY President

I walked into the gates of Jacobs Camp in the summer of 1975 as an incoming 5th grader.  It was important to my parents that their children have a Jewish experience that they never did.

My future dedication to Jewish camping and youth leadership began with a walk I once took with my favorite counselors, Gerald Adcock and Bob Balkin (a former SoFTY President), and a discussion about being a leader within my camper unit. The seed was planted; and, since that moment, there has only been one year out of the last 37 where I have not spent time either working with or for the Jacobs Camp, the Memphis Federation of Temple Youth (MEFTY), or the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY). 

During my time as the Assistant Camp Director and SoFTY Regional Advisor, I was fortunate enough to hire my future wife – thus leading both of our lives’ journeys to become intertwined with the future of the camp and Jewish life in the South.  Leigh hails from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and ours was the last marriage to take place in Congregation Anshe Emeth.  

For me, Jacobs and NFTY were critical factors in defining my leadership style as one where I constantly ask myself the lessons of Pirkei Avot, ”If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I?  If not now, when.”  We have the privilege of serving our community and, more importantly, our youth.  The youth are great, especially when we give them responsibility and allow them to rise to the challenges we put before them.

Our heritage as Jews in the Deep South is strong.  Our ancestors were those who had the strength to stand up for themselves and the civil rights of others. Leigh and I have hopefully taught both our girls, Ramie and Emma, that service is our responsibility. It is a huge honor for me to see my daughter serve as President of NFTY’s Southern Region. It transcends generations when a child validates her commitments to protect and defend her heritage. As the rising Chair of Jacobs, It is such a privilege that Ramie and I will be serving the Camp and the Youth of the region at the same time.  As we both have our own visions, it will be interesting to see how we are able to support each other as we work for the future. I am lucky that my family is so excited for me to move into the Chair position; if it is to be as successful a project as I hope, it will require a family commitment. And, for my 13 year old daughter, who counts the days down between summers, it means being able to live with camp news all year long.  

THE DAUGHTER

by Ramie Mansberg, Current NFTY-So President

 As a teenage Jew growing up in the South, my parents have always taught me to create a kehillah kedoshah, a holy community, in which I can thrive as a Jew and as a leader.  They lead by example, creating these same holy moments at home through traditions like making challah as a family and huge gatherings on High Holy Days that include not just family but also those who do not have family locally.   

Even more so, my dad and mom encourage me to follow in their footsteps through their actions and choices.  Twenty-nine years ago, my dad was seventeen and beginning his term SoFTY President, and now I am seventeen serving as President of NFTY-Southern – the exact same position for my senior year of high school. 

Following in a parent’s footsteps means more to me than just holding the same positions; through his continued involvement in both NFTY and Jacobs Camp, I have seen that there are no limits to the possibilities of leadership, and I have begun to reach for the stars, too.  To my family, NFTY is more than just an organization – it has enabled a bond twenty-nine years long to form between my dad and me.  And, more than that, it is about a commitment across generations to preserve Southern Jewry. 

Even though my dad finished his term as SoFTY President a LONG (!) time ago, he has continued to serve the region as MeFTY advisor, regional advisor, and now as chairman of Henry S. Jacobs Camp.  I look to my dad as not only the ideal representation of a Southern Jewish leader, but also as a person with a continually growing commitment to L’dor Va’dor. 

INTERESTING FAMILY FACTS: 

About the Mansberg Family:  Roy & Barbara Mansberg are 5th generation members of Temple Israel in Memphis, TN. Their children, Danny & Sally, are former Jacobs campers and staffers, and were active in NFTY. Their grandchildren, Ramie & Emma, Kayla & Sam, are all Jacobs camp alumni, and all but Emma (so far) have been active in NFTY.

About the Baim Family: Ken & Annette Baim are 4th generation members of Anshe Emeth in Pine Bluff, AR, who now reside in Hot Springs. Their children, Laurie, Leigh & Karen, are former Jacobs campers and staffers, and were active in NFTY.  In addition to Ramie & Emma, two more of their grandchildren just began as Jacobs campers.