Thursday, July 29
Last night, Machane Stone slept out under the stars! At Shekem, the Lina (one-night campout) was announced, and all the chanichim packed up and set out to their respective Lina sites not too far from camp. Each edah had a blast, cooking their food on fire pits, bonding with the full group and stargazing. This morning, everyone streamed back to camp after wake-up (no loudspeaker necessary in the woods!). A bit tired but exhilarated, the chanichim jumped right into a regular camp morning filled with Tefilla, food, and Torah learning.
In shiur, the chanichim learned about one of the effects of the failed Bar Kochva revolt: decentralization of the Jewish community. With geographical distance between groups of Jews, conflicts of opinion, and diversity of practice spread. They discussed how the rabbis dealt with these challenges, as they learned about the town of Usha and the burgeoning community in Bavel (Babylonia).
After the chanichim returned to camp, we had our first rainy morning this session. While we all love a sunny day at camp, the chanichim enjoyed the sounds and sights of the rain, and happily ran around camp in their rain gear. Rainy days include some special peulot (activities)! For example, Edah Bet girls enjoyed MAST (Meet a Sefer Torah), where they held a Torah, peered inside, and learned all about the work of a scribe. So inspiring!
Kaytana is busy preparing for Matan Torah! Today they decorated beautiful covers for their very own Chumashim.
Tomorrow is hike day! Each camper will pack a lunch in the morning, and then each edah will head out for their own hike — which hike will it be? A water hike? A Sugar Grove hike? A berry picking hike? They won’t know until tomorrow! When they return, it’s time for Mincha, and getting ready for Shabbat. By the time the sun gets low in the sky, each bunk and camper will be sparkling clean, and each chanich/a will be wearing their finest blue and white Shabbat clothes. The pre-Shabbat routine culminates in a pre-Shabbat mifkad — just before heading to Kabbalat Shabbat!
