by Anne Stein, Kallah Faculty Member and Director of Education at Cong. Etz Chaim in Lombard

Working in Kallah is such fun because many of the chanichim (campers) are here for the first time so everything is new to them, especially Shabbat at camp.  All week long the Kallah madrichim prep the kids for Shabbat.  At every shira (song) session the chanichim were introduced to songs they would sing at Shabbat Shira, our whole camp song session on Friday night.

Shabbat began with Sam Sterling, our Rosh Eidah (unit head), our song leaders and my colleagues Anne Lidsky and Deb Siroka walking and singing with Torah in hand to greet all of our chanichim.  All of them were showered and wearing their nicest clothes.  The whole eidah (unit) walked and sang together as we made our way to our Beit T’filah (chapel).  There we had a nice service led by our youngest boys’ tzrif (cabin).  We then went to have dinner in the chadar ochel (dining hall) where the entire camp enjoyed Shabbat dinnner together.  Shabbat is the only time all week that the whole camp eats together as a community.  Following dinner we all went into Port Hall for Shabbat Shira.  Many people think this is a highlight of their session at camp.  As I watched and listened to the ruach (spirit)in the room, I was encouraged that the future of our people is in good hands.  Everyone in the room was singing, clapping and having a wonderful time.  Even our little Kallah campers were enjoying it, although it was a little overwhelming for them.  After all, putting over 500 people in one room and listening to all of them sing at the same time can be overwhelming if you have never seen anything like it.  It is truly magical.

Shabbat morning the chanichim and madrichim were able to sleep in instead of the usual 7:15 wake up time.  Everyone enjoyed a day of relaxation.  Each eidah had their own t’filah but then we all gathered together again for a picnic lunch.  Campers had an opportunity to see their siblings that they had not seen all week.  I had a chance to find and spend time with all of our Etz Chaim campers.   The afternoon was spent at the waterfront swimming and enjoying the beach.  This is different from the rest of the week because all of Kallah and Kibbutz HaTzofim enjoyed the waterfront together.

I know for me, being up at OSRUI is the time that I can really observe Shabbat.  It was truly a day of peace, rest and enjoyment.  I’m excited to have our second week begin and get back to our regular schedule.  All of our Kallah campers are learning a lot and having a great time in sports, boating, limudim (Jewish studies), archery, tennis, Hebrew, horseback riding, climbing the tower, and lots more!