It’s 15 year old Jonathan’s first time at Jewish summer camp – Camp Kochavim in the Poconos. Together with 10 other teenagers from his bunk, Jonathan goes on his first “overnight” in the woods. There are no other people around for miles.
Emanuel, the camp counselor, asks Jonathan to help him unpack their survival equipment. As he unpacks, Jonathan finds ropes, hunting knives, torches, matches, compasses, flare rockets, walkie-talkie radios, and emergency rations. But what surprises Jonathan most is a sealed cardboard box with a Magen David on it labeled, "Ingredients plus recipe leaflet for making matzo balls."
So he says, "I don't understand this box, Emanuel. Why do I need to know how to make matzo balls? How is this going to help me if we get stranded somewhere?"
"You have to take my word on this, Jonathan," replies Emanuel. "Should, God forbid, you ever find yourself in a forest, with no food, with howling animals all around you, with no shelter from the cold, with darkness creeping in, and you're scared because all alone, you must take out this matzo ball kit and start following the instructions. And I promise you, within minutes, there will be at least 6 Jewish women around you telling you what you're doing wrong and what you must do to make the perfect matzo ball."