Shabbat Shalom from Ottsville!

Shabbat Shalom!

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 muffins, fruit, and cereal. Then, everyone worked hard to beatify machaneh (camp) and their tzrifim (cabins) as the final Golden Broom competition winners of First Session will be announced this evening.

During Madatz Peula (age group activity led by the CITs), the Amelimot had Galil Food Olympics before reflecting on their summers, the Chotrimot had a pool party, and the Sayarimot wrote each other Warm&Fuzzies (kind notes to open when they return home) before participating in a guided meditation. The Tzophimot went to the creek, the Bonimot made chocolate chip cookies and wrote each other notes about their summers, while the Bogrimot had some Zman Kvutza (group time).

Later, everyone cheered with all of their ruach (spirit) during Shira (singing time) to be called first to the traditional Friday lunch of pizza eaten outdoors in Hyde Park. As usual, there were a variety of toppings including mushrooms, hot sauce, and even basil picked fresh from our very own gan (garden). This week, the chanichimot (campers) had plenty of great feedback during their Hyde Park session, where campers are provided to forum to voice their opinions and suggestions about the week. After all, we did have a majorly fun-filled past couple of days including Revolution, Operation Solomon, and Yom Israel! To top it all off, tomorrow night we will be having a Final Mesibah (Party) for one last memory before all the First Session chanichimot (campers) go home on Sunday.

During chofesh (free time), the Mischak HaShavua (sport of the week) will be baseball! Other chanichimot will go to Schiya Chofshit (free swim), and get themselves ready for the last Shabbat of the session. Then they’ll head to mishpachot (family time) to reflect on their week. For dinner, we’ll be having chicken, vegetables, and matzo ball soup! Tonight, the Mazkirut will be leading Kabbalat Shabbat (the prayers before dinner as well as a performance involving an Israeli dance, a Hebrew song, and an English song). The Tzophimot (campers entering 8th grade) will be performing the Oneg (funny skit about the week) before leading the machaneh (camp) in rikud (Israeli dancing) before the Madatz put chanichimot (campers) to bed.

Tomorrow, the Shabbat schedule will be a little different to provide chanichimot with packing time before they leave. But the important parts, including sweets for breakfast, plenty of chofesh (free time), and Musicale/Medurah (concert and bonfire) will all stay the same!

Since there will be no blog on Shabbat, check back on Sunday to hear all about Shabbat and Final Mesibah!

-Carli