Tisha B'av

Today’s schedule was different than a normal day because it is Tisha B’av. Tisha B’av is a Jewish holiday when we commemorate the destruction of the second temple. In order to commemorate this holiday, we fast, however we still work today. At Galil, the option is offered to the older age groups (shkavot) to fast if they are above Bar-Mitzvah age.

The day began with a small sleep-in followed by flag raising (hitkansuit boker). For hitkansuit boker today, we sang different songs than we typically do to recognize that today is a holiday. The chanichim that were fasting went to the Moadon while everyone else went to breakfast. If a camper (chanich) decided to fast, during the meals they hung out in the Moadon and had discussions with the counselors (madrichim) about why they decided to fast and what this holiday means to them. Because Tisha B’av is a working fast day we still had work groups (avodah) after breakfast today. 

In the morning, the Amelim, Chotrim, Sayarim and Tzophim went to the barn (refet) to see an exhibit on Yitzchak Rabin. In the refet there were exhibit posters set up with information about Rabin’s life. Our Shaliach, Oded, and our educational director, Nora, briefly explained to the chanichim what each poster meant. The older chanichim at this time had a mock mikvah next to the creek. They each wrote down different types of hatred on pieces of paper and then tossed rocks into the creek which represented that hatred. 

Before lunch today, the older chanichim and the younger chanichim separated for a movie. The younger chanichim watched Iron Giant which is a movie about befriending and finding commonalities within people from different backgrounds. The older chanichim watched Pay It Forward, which is about engaging in acts of kindness and expanding that kindness to others. 

Tonight there will be a special evening activity (tochnit erev) to close the day. Each age group (shickvah) will be given a poem or song to perform in front of the rest of camp (machaneh). The songs and poems that they will be given have to do with spreading hope and kindness and each shickvah will be able to perform it however they wish. The night will end with a conscience play performed by the staff (tzevet) for the older chanichim.

We've had a moving day and have learned a lot! Check back tomorrow!