Shabbat Parshat Sh’lach

Sha-sha-shavua Tov 🙂

That is a cheer from around here…just trying to share the vibe!

After a busy and sweaty Friday, with hikes for everyone – we settled into a fun Erev-Shabbat camp-wide mifkad, followed by a spirited, meaningful, inspiring Kabbalat Shabbat. One of THE favorite parts of camp (the other favorite is at the end of Shabbat…) for so many campers and staff, our Friday night Tefilah with everyone in our beautiful indoor Beit Knesset ran smoothly and sounded great! Pretty impressive for the first Shabbat.  We had dancing to the Chadar Ochel, a yummy meal and more dancing and singing and cheering during the meal. New chanichim were brought into the dancing so they could learn the steps and the words. Shabbat morning we have three minyanim in machane: younger campers, older campers and Machal. Everyone’s tefilah is followed by kiddush-by-eidah and parsha shiur. We all met “back at the Chadar Ochel” for lunch at 12:30 – and yes, more dancing and singing and cheering.

Each week after Shabbat lunch, we experience one of the most special parts of Camp Stone. Due to the high ratio of staff to campers, we are able to set up chavrutot -one staff member per 1, 2 or max 3 campers. Everyone – EVERYONE – spends 45 min learning in these small pairs and groups on the grass and benches ALL over camp. It is a beautiful scene to witness. This summer “yours truly” is preparing learning packets with texts and discussion questions, so that everyone can make the most of the time without the pressure of preparing during the week. Staff and campers were able to choose from among 8 different topics, if they wanted. For example: Pirkei Avot, Sefer Yonah, Tefilah (this week Kriat Shema), Mitzvot (this week tzedaka), the adventures of Sefer Shoftim and ethical/moral discussion questions.

The afternoon schedule also has menucha, “eidah time” and mincha. Towards the end of Shabbat we gather for Seudah Shlishit, singing (the other favorite time in camp for many campers) and a story – this week about the miraculous battle (which wasn’t even in a battle, in the end) in Tzfat in 1948!

The older eidot have night tochnit – swim, karaoke, sports, ropes – and the younger campers are going to straight to sleep… We are all looking forward to seeing what tomorrow’s schedule has in store for us!

May this week’s routine bring us new friendships, adventures and fun, and inspiring learning!