By Madison Slobin

This weeks parashat details Moses' last day on earth as he bring the Jewish people into the Promised Land. Moses sings a really long song to the (soon to be) Israelites and then ascends a mountain to witness their entrance into the Israel. This is also the mountain where Moses stays to die.

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Putting myself into Moses' shoes for a second...there are a lot of things I would feel upset about. First of all, my death is imminent. Second of all, I worked really hard to get this obnoxiously large group of people here, to the land of milk and honey...I want milk and honey! Third of all (and the part I will be focusing on), I feel pretty attached to the Israelites after spending a solid 40 years in the desert. I am feeling pretty apprehensive about my time as their leader ending, simply turning them over to a new madrich that I don't even know...seamless transition?

Most of us have probably just recently finished working at a machane, where we most likely worked with either a specific group of kids and madrichim or did a tafkid that we may feel an attachment to. Speaking for myself, it can be difficult to transition out of machaneh and into different structures, whether that be university, the ken, a bayit or a new job. One of the most difficult parts of my transition is letting go of the chanichim you had during the summer and understanding that their official madrichim of the future may not include you.

The tension between continuing to be a support and guide for chanichim whilst creating space for new madrichim to build that same bond is not easily accomplished. We have become so good at our jobs that the relationships we have with our chanichim become a central part of our lives and feelings of possession can take over. Despite this reaction being only out of love, I believe we can do a better job of seeing chanichim not as "mine" but as "ours". The values we educate about are beneficial to all members of the movement, and despite the difficult transition from one group of kids to another, let us find the excitement in doing so. My chanichim are your chanichim too. If Moses can move on and accept it than I at least have to try.