SHABBAT CHUKAT 2015
We sure are sad to be saying l’hitraot to our Kallah and Kibbutz HaTzofim campers, most of whom will be leaving this coming Sunday as our Aleph sessions close. It has been a whirlwind 13 days chock full of all kinds of activities. We have been on the water tubing, skiing, bouncing on the water trampoline, zipping down on the slides, crawling on the alligator and learning how to swim so much better. Kallah campers tried a new chug (elective) every day just to get a taste of everything there is to choose from. Kibbutz HaTzofim had a huge pool party with lunch served on the deck and lots of splashing.
Both Kallah and Kibbutz HaTzofim enjoyed lots of bunk nights this past week. Kallah had a group of campers on the high ropes course, a bonfire with s’mores, craft night with Susan and lots more. Kibbutz HaTzofim tents spread all over camp enjoying magic night at Jerry and Paula’s (and Paula took out the new indoor s’more makers!), decorating mezuzot with Susan, pontoon rides with Max and even a baking night. Kids were enjoying all the things going on all over camp.
Speaking of baking, we have a new Hebrew chug for campers from all around OSRUI…baking and cooking in the Sports Center kitchen and ALL IN HEBREW. Hila Hollingsworth manages this program; Hila also works with Rachel Garber who oversees the Mercaz Ivrit – the Hebrew Center.
Moshavah was gone for the beginning of the week on the first trip of the session biking, hiking, canoeing and rock climbing. Bikers had to come back early because the rain caught them, but they went for day rides when they got back to camp and everyone else did just fine. Today is very unusual for Moshavah since, as Lizzy (Rosh Mosh) said, it is a regular day at camp!!
Tiferet has been deeply embedded in their art work and studios. In addition, they are preparing for the Star Spangled Mesibah, the all-camp talent show that Tiferet Aleph hosts. Several campers in Tiferet visited all the units in camp, doing a fabulous mini-performance to promote the show. If that’s an example of the talent in Tiferet … we can’t wait!
Chalutzim campers are way along in speaking Hebrew with their counselors and they are starting to speak more Hebrew than most of them ever thought they would know.
But the high point of the week for Chalutzim and the rest of the camp was our Maccabiah Games, sometimes known as Color Wars. Chalutzim campers served a ruach (spirit) leaders for Maccabiah, which included everything from huge games of Matzah
Ball to all out Ga-Ga, swim contests, running and a giant game of Kallah Leap from the bottom of Bayit Hill all the way up to the top. Lunch on Thursday was only in Hebrew for everyone, so you can imagine that it was pretty quiet in the dining hall! It all started with a blazing fire sign announcing the event that created a hush over the whole crowd as Kachol (blue), Tzahov (yellow), Adom (red) and Yarok (green) became the hallmarks of clothing and face paint. Oh, by the way, Kachol won this round, after reps from each group climbed the tower to see who could zip up the quickest.
After a jam packed week we’re all looking forward to a wonderful Shabbat and we hope you are too!
Jerry Kaye, Director Susan Alexander, Associate Director Max Weinberg, Assistant Director