17th of Tammuz

We had a late wake up today so we could be strong and awake to get through the fast day in a meaningful way. The younger eidot added Avinu Malkeinu to their tefilah, while their older added Avinu Malkeinu as well as a few Selichot. The chanichim who are under bar and bat mitzvah age had a chance to eat breakfast and lunch today, of course. Meanwhile, the programming in the morning was all around the topic of the day and a little bit from our tochnit (time in jewish History that we have been studying). Offical shiur covered the mishna in Masechet ta’anit that reviews the 5 things that happened on the 17th of tammuz, and then each group discussed the customs we have in mourning and the dual nature of a day like today: a little mourning for the Beit haMikdash and we have lost and a little repentence to try and earn / merit its return.

Each eidah, after shiur, had time to visit 5 different skits that the tzevet put on – all about the 10 martyrs – Rabbis who were killed by the Romans around 70 CE, all for learning and teaching Torah.

After an early mincha, the afternoon was time off to rest, relax and watch some movies. At 7:00 pm, we all gathered in the Indoor Beit Knesset – the “IBK”  – for slow singing and then maariv and a break-the-fast brownie tin for each bunk. Dinner was served and then right to a night tochnit for everyone to “get out and have some fun” after a long hot serious day. Eidah Daled met with Rav Adi, our rav haMachane for a mishmar, followed by cinnabons.

Machal began their day with tefilah in Harrisburg, PA and then traveled to the cemetary in Corry, PA to learn about the Jewish community that used to live a half hour from Sugar Grove. They spoke about what defines community and what causes a community to die out. They returned to camp in the latye afternoon and had some time to rest before their maariv and dinner.

Can you believe that brings “full week number two” to an end? Tomorrow is Friday/ Hike day and then onwards and forwards…Color War is around the corner, we all know 🙂  and Machal is headed to Virgina for a memorable few days of canoeing.