by Micah Brandhandler, Chalutzim Rosh Eidah

Chalutzim is going to have a fabulous time in these next seven weeks in Oconomowoc.  Whether its talking in Rak Ivrit (only Hebrew), playing soccer on Shabbat, or going on our canoe trip, each day is going to be filled with lots of exciting activities for the chanichim (campers).  One of the biggest days coming up in the next couple of weeks is Yom Avodah.  Yom Avodah is where Chalutzim chanichim put their mark on the unit.  During Yom Avodah they will have the opportunity to build benches for our Beit T’filah (prayer space), paint signs to put on our kitot (classrooms), plant a gan (garden), and many other things.

Along with Yom Avodah something new is going on in Chalutzim this year.  Festikayitz (summer festival) is going to be an all-camp talent show that is run by Chalutzim.  But what makes this different from Mesibah or Oconomostock?  All of the acts are either in Hebrew or have something to do with Israel.  Our Israeli Mishlachat (Israeli delegation) is hard at work creating the script and teaching the chanichim the songs and dances.  Festikayitz gives the chanichim who may have never been a part of O-Stock or Mesibah the chance to lead an all-camp event that they will remember for years to come.

Many past chanichim say that Chalutzim is the best seven weeks of their lives, and I am looking forward to being apart of that for Chalutzim 2013!