By Cantor Jennifer Frost, B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim in Deerfield, IL,  & Cantor Lauren Phillips, Congregation Sinai in Milwaukee, WI, and Tiferet Segel

It has been an extraordinary week in Tiferet Bet! Our chanichim (campers) come to immerse themselves in omanut (art) and in Judaism and to constantly discover how the two are intertwined. Each of the chanichim come to work either in visual arts, digital arts, music, dance or drama. In just one short week they have delved into their limud (study) theme, Psalms. They have created group psalms; psalms of praise, psalms of lament, both communal and personal and psalms of thanksgiving. They have written personal psalms of praise, also known as “psalm selfies”. They have studied the character of King David and traced his life through the psalms. They have looked at the wide range of emotions found throughout the psalms and how they relate to and are reflected in their own lives and in their art.

We are also looking at Israel through the psalms.  Our chanichim have brought the words of the Siddur to life through the psalms, discovering new and rediscovering familiar texts and melodies. They are composing musical compositions, and creating dramatic characters, dances and video images based on an emotion found in a particular psalm. The group of moomchim (specialists) and chanichim are fabulous. They challenge, they question, and they are passionate about their art and their Judaism. They are able to see Judaism in their art and art as a means to express their Judaism.

This week’s Torah portion, Masei, is very much related to the artistic journey that our Tiferet Bet began last week. Just as Moses meticulously recorded the route that the Israelites took as they traveled through the desert, our chanichim have been journaling about their own artistic process and their relationship with psalms. The difference is that Moses and the Israelites had a specific destination in mind. In Tiferet the emphasis is placed on their process rather than their final product. Based on their initial exploration, this group of chanichim is destined to create something extraordinary. There is nothing quite like Tiferet. It is a magical and awe-filled place and we are privileged to share this journey with them!