Wednesday, July 28
Despite an enthusiastic revolt, Bar Kochba and his followers were not able to regain sovereignty in Eretz Yisrael. This morning in shiur, the chanichim learned about how Chaz”al bravely and creatively reconstituted Jewish life and learning in a changed landscape. They also learned about how the Jews moved to new areas of Eretz Yisrael and developed strong communal centers.
The schedule is packed with eight activities daily, with one always being Shower Time, in the evening hours. The chanichim spend 50 minutes at each peulah. When they see “Ceramics” they know where to go; when they see “Swimming,” they know where to go for that too; but when they see “Tzipori,” what or where is that? “Tzipori” is this month’s VILLAGE! Each summer we have an opportunity for the campers to engage with the lost arts of a long time ago. In the woods at the edge of camp, there are buildings set up as different stations, and for this session, the village is set up as the Mishnaic town of Tzipori in northern Israel. Walking into Tzipori is like stepping back in time. The campers can be seen in Tzipori pressing olives in an ancient olive press to make oil the old fashioned way, weaving and combing yarn to make a coaster, and blowing their own glass kiddush cup at our glass-blowing shop. They can also be heard banging metal into a bookend at the blacksmith shop, and sanding their own mezuzah at the woodshop.
Kaytana are celebrating their miraculous escape from the Egyptians through Kriyat Yam Suf (the splitting of the sea) by having a blast doing all kinds of water activities, like Wet Willy (a water slide in the agam) and Slip ‘N Slide.
Machal continued their adventures in the Allegheny National Forest with a hike along the Sugar Run Creek. They then spent the afternoon and evening setting up camp for their Chutz — a two-night overnight where they create their own camp, cook their own meals, and practice camping skills.
