MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — There are many Jewish camps in the Poconos keeping track of what is happening in Israel, and one in Monroe County has suffered a loss in the attacks.
On October 7, as news spread of the attacks on Israel by Hamas forces, Pinemere Camp Executive Director Eytan Graubart said his phone was going off as texts poured in from current and former staff and campers.
"They were letting me know that either they were OK, and one of them sent me a screenshot of an Instagram post that said a picture of Ilay that said, 'Has anyone seen Ilay?'" Graubart recalled.
Ilay Nachman, a 23 Israeli native, was a counselor at the camp in the Poconos last year, and no one had heard from him.
Unfortunately, it was bad news. Nachman attended the Nova Music Festival when Hamas fighters attacked and was one of the many killed.
Graubart says he couldn't believe what happened.
"There was part of me that hoped, prayed that I was going to share with our community what had happened, and then Ilay was going to call me and be like, 'Hey, Tom, I'm fine. What are you doing?' And I waited for that call that never came."
Graubart says that Nachman was full of life, laughter, and the willingness to help anyone. Graubart says it was even reported that Nachman was trying to save others during the attacks at the festival. Graubart wasn't surprised to hear that because of Nachman's character.
"This was someone who cared about everything and just wanted to give kids the experience of a lifetime, help them understand what it meant to be outdoors, connect with friends, and live life to the fullest."
Graubart says the camp recently held virtual get-togethers. Many of them have been filled with tears and laughter remembering Nachman and praying for the end of terror in Israel.
"Our greater camp community is one right now, all mourning the loss of Ilay and many others."
Graubart says they plan to honor Nachman's life in some way next summer when camp resumes.