Thursday, August 17

After Color War, where the chanichim fought it out between the values of Haskalah and Mesorah, in shiur this morning we learned about the approach of Ne0-Orthodoxy as it developed in Germany in the 1800’s. Through Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch and Rav Azriel Hildesheimer, we talked about how to balance competing values and integrate a life of Torah with an appreciation of the modern world. Of course, the chanichim understood the role that Neo-Orthodoxy played in the development of our own Modern Orthodoxy.

Eidah Daled left very early this morning for their annual post-color war white water rafting trip. It is a great day for them to move beyond the color war competition from these past two days and just all “be friends” again. It works like a charm!!

All of the chanichim are hoping to have some of their favorite peulot on their schedule these days, since it is their last few this session. Some have even gone over to our Rosh Sport to request : )  Chanichim are finishing projects in the Village and looking forward to showing you what they produced! Everyone was confused when they saw “not a carnival” on their schedule today.  Eaxch eidah took a turn walking over to indoor world –  and there they saw some fun inflatable bouncy houses etc. Just a fun activity so they could relax and laugh and have fun all together as an eidah. They loved it! True, it was not a full blown-out carnival, but it was the best part of one anyway!

Tonight was the long awaited trip to Splash Lagoon. For the past few years, we have rented out an indoor water park (an hour away) after hours, and have THE best time. Girls and boys take turns – one group gets to play arcade games and hang out in the wave pool while the other enjoys the slides and pools in the main part of the park…and then they switch!! Great trip and enjoyed by everyone- tzevet and hadracha, too, of course.

We are looking forward to our fourth (for the tzevet and hadracha, fifth!) Shabbat together. But we are also, obviously, so sad that this means we have only a few days left.  We are enjoying every activity and every moment together. Shabbat Shalom from Sugar Grove!