Thursday June 18
Our shiur this morning was about the holiness of Eretz Yisrael and the term kedusha in general. Chanichim discussed that what makes the land special and different is that it was given to us by Hashem and has unique commandments associated with it. They took a look at the third bracha of the Amidah, “אתה קדוש” and saw some other things associated with G-d that are described as having kedusha. Each shiur group consists of 6-8 chanichim, so everyone has a chance to talk and contribute.
Bunks had five peulot today; everyone enjoyed activities such as slip n’ slide, music, magnet making, ceramics, swim, archery, volleyball and high ropes, to name a few. Each day a bunk is assigned “toranut” which means they do set-up, serving and clean-up for the meals. Today we had two Eidah Daled bunks doing Toranut -and they did an excellent job – so do not let your children tell you they do not known how to help. Just call it “toranut” and they will get right to work 🙂
During shekem, the time for our mid-afternoon snack from canteen, the Roshei Eidah performed a skit about Alfred Dreyfus being called a traitor and taken away to prison. The moment where a kubota drove him away might have been a little different than they way things actually happened, but the chanichim definitely learned a lesson about the rise of Zionism and its acceleration from that day on. The blatant antisemitism displayed during the affair was witnessed firsthand by, none other than, journalist Theodor Herzl, who used the event to conclude that the Jewish people required their own independent homeland to escape persecution! Some moments from the actual court case in which Alfred Dreyfus was convicted were performed at dinner in the Chadar Ochel. History is coming alive here!
Night Tochnit continued the theme of early Zionism with two fun activties. First, a water brigade where each eidah had to bring water down the line to irrigate “a tree”. In this case the tree was a Rosh Eidah who enjoyed the shower! And then each eidah had to lie on the floor IN THE SHAPE of their letter eidah – an alef, a bet, etc. This brought to life the birth of Hebrew as the national language.
One more exciting part of the day to write home about was the chugim fair before dinner. A few times a week the camp has campers participate in an elective they choose, and chanichim of all ages come together for that hour. This year, 34 different chugim/electives were offered and chanichim signed up for their top three choices. Our Roshei Sport will review all requests and assign every camper an elective to attend. Examples of chugim here in our Machane are: Bracelets & Brownies, mahjong, archery, glassblowing, rebar (making smoothies), Tzahal, flag football, music, guided meditation, and biking. Ask your camper what chug he/she is in.
Kaytana learned about Yitzchak and Rivka and attended their wedding this afternoon – mazal tov to our chattan and kallah, played by (not for the first time) Rav Adi and Bracha Krohn, Rav and Rabbanit haMachane. The wedding had sparkling apple cider, a tablecloth chuppah, a candy ring and freeze dance for the entertainment. Kaytana had a tractor ride today and did a tie-dye activity ahead of learning about Yosef and his colored coat.
Machal had a morning shiur about the term hashkafa, our world outlook, and the values that we must adopt and cultivate as we put together our own hashkafa. They looked at psukim in the Torah that talk about broader concepts like “doing good” and “being holy” and “emulating G-d” and what those concepts and expectations teach us about the bigger and broader values and goals that guide our life. They enjoyed a 7 mile forest hike today and then had a meaningful sicha about chalutziut/ pioneering.
Tomorrow is hike day for Kaytana and all eidot…and Machal too!
