Monday Aug 8
Feels like the beginning of the week here… And we do not take a good meal for granted 😉
After filling up on breakfast, we had shiur about the travels Jews were doing during this time period we are studying – they traveled for business or to visit relatives or to see other communities or to “make aliyah.” We even have writings of communities keeping in touch that were found in the Cairo Geniza! Chanichim read some travel logs written by Ishtori haParchi (French author, doctor and geographer), Petachia of Regensburg, Rav Ovadia of Bartenura (a famous Italian Rabbi in the 15th century) and Benjamin of Tudela (a famous Rabbi in the 12th century). The chanichim talked about what people notice when they visit new places and what they choose to write about. They thought about what they look for when visiting a new place and talked about what people write in their diaries.
The day mostly followed a regular schedule -with only one peulah switching over to the “rainy day schedule” which is always printed for days when rain is expected. Music played over the ram-kol again, just like it did before the 9 days here, and we had lots and lots of FLEISHIG chicken nuggets and yummy wings and drummets for dinner!
Tonight we had an erev shira with live instruments, and the words were projected on a screen. Everyone gathered on the dining deck (where kaytana and eidot aleph and vav eat on shabbat), after maariv, and we sang while a few tzevet members played guitars and the drums! We sang both old Israeli songs (the classics, including everyone’s favorite – Yo-Ya) and some newer ones that everyone knew (from Ishai Ribo and Amir Dadon) Chanichim and Tzevet really loved it and has so mucgh fun singing and dancing. You will see pictures and videos posted soon!!
Kaytana had their last day at Machane today : ( We will miss them and hope they come back for eidah aleph soon!! They had some regular peulot in the morning, and then they packed their duffels and had a chance to buy some Stonewear to bring home. Some bought little presents for siblings and parents too (act surprised!!) Tonight’s last night tochnit was a carnival set up just for them in Indoor World, with a bouncy castle and other blow ups. Their Roshim – Lia and Isaac – connected it to the stories of Chumash they have been learning by celebrating Am Yisrael’s entry into The Promised Land. Two weeks in overnight camp is a huge accomplishment! Kol haKavod to these young chanichim… and their parents 😉
Machal had a great day at Niagara Falls!