By Jake Beckert, Rosh Eidah of Chalutzim

What a busy week! Two of the most anticipated days of the summer, Yom Yisrael and Yom Horim, with hardly a moment in between.

Theodore Herzl once wrote a book about Israel titled Altneuland, old new land, as Israel is simultaneously a country that is very new, in a land that is very old. Similarly, our Yom Yisrael, Israel day, combined a camp tradition that is very old, with something very new. Yom Yisrael was a tradition at our camp for very many years, though it has been more than a few years since it was last done. Our Mishlachat (Israeli delegation) planned various Israel stations for an all camp Israel themed activity. Everyone dressed in blue and white, and traveled to the stations around beit hill, getting to do activities such as making traditional Bedouin Pita, and a misibat hof hayam (beach party).

That night Chalutzim got to lead an activity totally new to our camp. Chalutzim chanichim (campers) led an Israel themed programs for every eidah (unit) in camp. Not surprisingly the campers arose magnificently to the challenge, and led truly fantastic, fun, content rich programs for the other chanichim. Personally I felt from the whole summer this was the moment I was proudest of the campers, to see how they could be such great leaders in the camp, and were able to manage so much responsibility.

Just two days later was Yom Horim (visiting day) the day where our chanichims’ families come to visit camp. The day opened with tifilot (services) led by the chanichim for their parents. After the parents got to see a model Hebrew Kitah (class). After a few hours of free time the parents came for a final presentation of music, skits, song and dance by the campers. The beautiful weather and great talent of the Chalutzim campers made it just about a perfect day, that chanichim and horim (parents) enjoyed together. While it was a little hard to say goodbye, going right to Erev tzrief (cabin night) helped everyone get right back into the flow after everyone left.