Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Shalom! 

The chanichim (campers) have had busy past few days! They’ve spent the last two nights at themed messibot (parties) run by their very own Bogrim and Madatzim. Luckily, we have a relaxing Shabbat today so we can rest up and be ready for our last hoorah tomorrow- final mesibah (party).

Today started off very well, with our classic Friday breakfast- muffins! It was all smiles during the muffin meal because every muffin had chocolate chips- even the blueberry ones! We then transitioned into extended avodah (work), and extended nikayon tzrif (cabin cleaning). The kids are starting the hard task of packing to go home. Many campers are starting to realize that this is their last Shabbat of summer 2015, but their mood was brought right back up when they went to Madatz Puela (activities run by Madatz). 

Many schavot (age groups) did concluding activities. The Amelim played the yarn game which is where a ball of yarn gets passed around and with each pass, a favorite memory is shared. That creates a web of string that holds all of the campers greatest memories of the summer. Then, they each get a piece of the yarn to wear as a bracelet- and use as a reminder of their time here at machaneh. The Chotrim learned about the Ken, which is the name for camp activities that happen throughout the school year. They discussed of incorporating Habonim values in their lives and ways to stay in touch with friends, even while they’re not physically at machaneh (camp). The Sayarim finger painted their happiest moment of this past session- however there was a twist! They used each other’s arms and legs as canvases! The Tzofim opened notes that they had written to themselves on the first day of second session. The notes included their expectations and goals for the summer. Today they spent time reflecting on the past few weeks. The Bonim had Cafe Bonim, which is where the madatzim set up a little Cafe and served them some snacks and refreshments. They also shared “warm and fuzzies”, which is a short anecdote or moment that is supposed to make their friend/kvutsah feel “warm and fuzzy”. The Bogrim don’t have Madatz, but their madrichim (counselors) took them down to the creek.

After their peulot (activities) they got dressed up in crazy costumes for our weekly Shabbat Shira (singing). Today they learned some some hebrew songs that we sing after dinner on Friday nights.  Next they had delicious pizza, while the madatzim braided challah for tonight’s dinner. Like every Friday, we have something called Hyde Park after lunch. It is an opportunity with all of the chanichim and madatzim, where chanichim can voice their feedback (both negative and positive) about anything pertaining to machaneh or our community. Their requests, complaints, or compliments are written down and handed over to the mazkirut, and more often than not, a change is made!

During chofesh (free time), the Madatz prepared for their Kabbalat Shabbat (a song and dance that is performed by a different age group every week) and the Bogrim rehearsed for their oneg (a comical skit that is written and acted out by a different age group every week)!  Many of the younger chanichim continued packing, playing, and resting up for Shabbat. Tonight the chanichim look forward to homemade challah and matzah ball soup, lot’s rikud (israeli dancing), and bedtime stories from their Madatzim!