Sunday July 27

We woke up to a drizzle which ended right as we were heading to Shiur! We learned about the Knesset-form of government in Israel. Since the Torah, in Sefer Dvarim, speak about having a king, is the way we run our government problematic halachikly? The morim showed the chanichim a way to read the psukim which does allow for other ways of running a country besides literally a King. As we sometimes say in machane: “noooooowww  we knooooowww” 😊  In addition to the regular activities like archery, kickball, ceramics, baking, climbing wall etc our Roshei Sport Eden and JJ, who design the schedule daily, assigned each bunk a slot to do whatever bonding activity the counselors wanted to do. Some did a game or some art together and others sat and had a conversation about “expectations for our bunk”.

Another special peulah given today, which happens a few times a month, before or after shower time in the evening, is something we call “Sichot”. Each Rosh Eidah wrote a session for the counselors to run/discuss with their campers about tochnit (this month’s topic).  Today had to do with what having a Jewish State means to us. The younger chanichim kept it more concrete, discussing their personal connection to the State of Israel and clarifying what responsibility they have towards the country. Older chanichim spoke about Israel being a safe haven for Jews and the definition of a homeland – political homeland? spiritual homeland? Both? These Sichot give the bunk an opportunity to come together over ideas and have a mature group discussion. It is also an opportunity for the counselors to engage in some learning with them.

Our day of peulot ended with the Chugim Fair, featuring fun weekly electives that will be offered and run by our tzevet. Two or three times a week, the campers go to their choice of activity with other campers from the other eidot. This is a fun slot in camp for kids to do the activity they like to do, with friends from all ages. Some activities offered are the classics, such as basketball, baking, and biking…while others are a bit less expected  – Spikeball, Cookies & Kumzits, Intense Bracelet Making, Israeli Dancing and Master Chef Jr.  Night tochnit (activity), after maariv,  was a “See, Run, Build” game that was played as a camp-wide competition which incorporated the idea of building coalitions for political parties. Whoever had paid attention during shiur understood that angle of the game 😊

Kaytana started their day learned about Yosef and using your talents with humility so as not to cause jealousy. They also talked about being impressed and inspired by friends’ and siblings’ talents and not threatened to the point of jealousy. They had a special activity today, called “the technicolor dreamcoat” when they tie-dyed a t-shirt to make their own “coat of colored stripes”! In the evening, before dinner, they attended Yitzchak and Rivka’s wedding (they learned about that on Friday!) We had a bride and groom (newleyweds Gaby and Eitan who met last year in camp and got married two weeks before they arrived this summer!) so THAT was perfect timing!!), a photograper, bubbly apple cider for toasts, and some fancy dairy desserts at the reception. Our Kaytana chanichim and chanichot sang and danced and made sure to remember Yerushalayim with a beautiful heart-felt אם אשכחך before the chattan broke the glass ( = stepped on the paper cup). Definitely something they will remember. Enjoy the pics when they come out 🙂

Machal chanichim have some Torah learning each day too, in small “shiur groups” that are set (same group each day) and assigned one of the counselors as a teacher. They call their shiur time “shrekfast” since the shiur usually happens over breakfast. Their shiurim are focused on psukim from Sefer Yehoshua, a book that tells the story of leadership and the formation of our nation in Eretz Yisrael (Canaan). As Machal campers learn how to create community and focus on developing “Rosh Gadol” leadership skills, this particular sefer takes on relevance and serves as a great source of inspiration. Today Machal did a water hike we call “the big gorge” which took all day, and they grilled vegetarian “Beyond Burgers” since we have entered “the 9 Days” now, as we approach Tisha B’Av.