First Shabbat of Second Session!

Shabbat Shalom!

Since Guy, our communications specialist, is on chofesh, (day off) I’m here to follow in his footsteps.  My name is Adam and I’m a madatz (CIT) for the Bonimot and I’ll be writing the blog today with the help of last session communication specialist Abby Kastenberg

We woke up this morning to a beautiful day. After raising the flags at Hitkansut Boker (the morning flag raising) we had a delicious breakfast of waffles, fruit, and cereal. Then, everyone worked hard to beautify machaneh (camp) and their tzrifim (cabins) as the first Golden Broom competition winners of Second Session will be announced this evening. Today, the Tzophimot went on the high ropes course, a series of challenges including a Zip Line, a Giant’s Ladder (which chanichimot climb in pairs), as well as the Three Elements: the incline log, the cat walk, and the heebie jeebies (where a chanichol (camper) walks across a wire holding onto ropes of different lengths). In addition, today the Madatz (CITs) from Machaneh Moshava (Camp Moshava, one of Galil’s sister camps) came up all the way from Maryland to visit for the weekend!

Today's Ivrit Shimushit (Useful Hebrew) skit

During Madatz Pish (age group activity led by the CITs), the Amelimot played fun games to get to know each other and their madatz (CITs), the Anakimot got a chance to learn more about their madatz through interactive activities,, the Bonimot participated in The Amazing Galil Race which culminated in a pool party, while the Bogrimot had some Zman Kvutza (group time).  At the end of Madatz Pish, the chanichimot put on some crazy costumes for Shabbat Shira (Friday singing time). On Fridays, the age group that sings the loudest and has the most energy while learning new songs is rewarded by being called to lunch first! Traditionally, Friday lunch is homemade pizza with lots of delicious toppings from veggies to hot sauce, as well as fresh grapes and salad bar. Chanichimot eat outside, picnic-style, in Hyde Park before gathering around the benches to state their feedback about how the week went and suggestions about how to improve machaneh.

A few of the Amelot all dressed up for Shabbat!

After lunch, the chanichimot relax with a block of free time to make crafts in the Beit Omanut (arts and crafts building), compete against madrichimot (counselors) in the Mischak Hashavua (Sport of the Week), and dress up for Shabbat. This week the Mischak Hashavua is Ultimate Frisbee, a crowd favorite! Optional t’filot (prayers) will be held in the gan (garden).

Before the start of Shabbat, the chanichimot (campers) will be split into their Mishpachot (families) with groups of their actual family members and individuals from different age groups at machaneh. In these groups, they’ll reflect on the busy week by discussing the best and worst thing that happened to each person, as well as what they’re most looking forward to in the week ahead. The Mishpachot will also talk about this week’s Torah portion and pose some questions as food for thought. Then, the Mishpachot will each join in for a Procession around machaneh singing songs and ending at the toren (flag pole) where everyone will greet each other for Shabbat before lowering the flag.

Machaneh (camp) watches the Anakimot lead Kabbalat Shabbat

Before dinner, the Anakimot will lead this week’s Kabbalat Shabbat, which includes singing songs in Hebrew and English, and performing a rikud (Israeli dance). Lia, our Rosh Machaneh (Head of Camp) will tell a story before everyone sings prayers to welcome Shabbat while facing the setting sun. Then we’ll head to a dinner of chicken, vegetables, and delicious challah bread baked by the Madatz. After dinner, there will be more shira (singing time) before the week’s silly oneg (skit), which the Bonimot will perform before leading the whole machaneh in rikud.

Since tomorrow there will be no blog post because it's Shabbat, chanichimot can look forward to a leisurely Shabbat including a sleep-in, a sweet surprise for breakfast, and lots of chofesh (free time). After the Madatz run an activity for all of machaneh, the Bogrimot and Madrichimot (counselors) will each run chugim (electives). Lunch will be sandwiches in a picnic held for each shichva (age group) around machaneh (camp). In the evening, there will be a Musicale where chanichimot will sing songs for each other before heading into Havdalah when everyone will sit in a spiral and watch the stars before singing prayers. As a chanicha (camper), this was always my favorite part of the week. Afterwards, everyone will head over to medurah, a bonfire where chanichimot perform silly acts, and then get ice cream before going to bed.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Adam  and Abby