Monday July 1
We learned about Eretz Yisrael today and Ramban’s and Rabbi Yehuda haLevi’s aliyah! Way back in this era of Rishonim, people would try to make their way to Eretz Yisrael -some made it and some did not. Some went for ideological reasons and some just to run away – like the Jews from Spain. The chanichim talked about who they know that has made aliyah, whether they have visited yet and what their feelings are about Jews living there nowadays, when there are so many vibrant Jewish communities all over the country/world.
At Aruchat Eser (our snack after shiur and nikayon) some Roshei Eidah came out dressed like Crusaders while other Roshei Eidah told us we need to run towards Eretz Yisrael….i.e. TO THE CHUTZ SITE! And that was the “breakout” we were all waiting for… everyone ran to pack and the whole machane walked the 20-min walk to our chutz site. They spent the day “setting up camp” – i.e. laying out their sleeping backs and tying their hammocks, collecting firewood and playing volleyball and football, doing art projects and davening mincha. The weather was beautiful and perfect and the sky was full of stars at night. Dinner was hot dogs and corn over the fire. Each fire pit is run by eidah daled chanichim and has a few members of each eidah: one happy family of diverse ages 🙂 Each plugah (group around the fire pit) is joined by a few madrichim and madrichot. This is the first chance eidah daled has to step into their leadership roles here, and they are doing great!
Kaytana had a fun day at a playground on Chautauqua Lake, followed by bowling and ice cream. They are having their last couple of days of bonding and fun before they leave on Wednesday 🙁
Machal visited the Corry, PA cemetery and learned about the Jewish community that lived here. A group of Jews settled in Corry around 1870 and they went up and down in numbers until about 1940. The chanichim talked about “community” and how an individual sees his role in the greater whole. They drove a few hours to Harrisburg, Pa and went to a minor league baseball game. After sleeping in Harrisburg, they will be on their way to Washington, DC tomorrow.
Rachaelli Frankel is in Machane Stone this week as scholar in residence, giving shiurim for our tzevet. Rachaelli teaches at Nishmat, heads Matan’s Hilkhita Institute for halacha and serves as a yoeztet halacha – but she is probably more well known for being the mom of one of “the three boys kidnapped” in June of 2014. She was very outspoken at the time and was a role model for emunah and bitachon during the nightmare those three families experienced. Rachaelli mentions Nafatli and that summer often as she teaches, referencing the lessons she learned or the way Am Yisrael responded with achdut and support. She has a warm, positive, engaging way about her, and many members of tzevet have been gathering for her shiurim.
