Sunday June 29

Shavua Tov! Another beautiful Shabbat full of tefilah, song, dance, learning and lots of time with friends. We have a slightly later wake-up Sunday morning – at 8:00 instead of 7:30, since Shabbat is over so late here and many bunks have night activities after Shabbat.

This morning our shiur was entitled “Chassidus 101” and we taught about the idea of music being part of our tefilah and divine worsjip. We learned about songs that have words and powerful niggunim that do not. Later in the day, signs went up that we were going to have a Tisch after dinner, which was moved a bit earlier to allow for this elaborate program.The Baal Shem Tov himself came into town on a wagon, right after maariv, He was flanked by torches held by his chassidim who walked along the slow wagon.  Our Chadar Ochel was set up for the tisch, with a table up on a stage, so everyone could see “The Rebbe” (and the HUGE challot that he made “haMotzi” on). He led us in songs and niggunim.We ate cholent and kugel and kichel, sang and danced, and heard the Rebbe call us “sweet beloved Jews” while sharing with us stories and words of encouragement.  Look at at the photos and videos that will be posted. You will get a sense of the passion, drama and love in the room.

Kaytana’s time in Machane Stone is coming to an end 🙁 They spent the day in Midway, an amusement park for kids, a 45 min drive away. The park sits along Lake Chautauqua and is a beautiful place for rides and an arcade. The campers had so much fun on the age-appropriate roller coaster, bumper boats, pirate ship, huge slides, bumper cars and other rides. And, of course, the arcade had skee ball! A fun day for them as many are starting to get sad about leaving!

Machal left for their week in Virgina. They were ready, excited and all packed to go by Shabbat. So after havdalah, they packed up the buses and headed out. Yakov and Estee spent some time with them right before they left, wishing them well and reminding them they are going to have an unbelievably fun week AND it will be challenging and tiring, as it bonds them as a group. We can’t wait to hear all about it! Not much more to share about that until they get back at the end of the week…Picture lots of canoeing, hiking, eating and sleeping. It is a few days in the Great Outdoors! They always love it and grow so much from the experience.