By Aliza Ainis, Rosh Eidah of Tzofim

Wow!  What an amazing first week at camp! We had some rain but that didn’t stop us from having fun in Tzofim. Most of our programing is outdoors, but we were still able to experience all that camp has to offer. This past week, we went swimming, played sports, and went to our chugim (electives). We also had a ton of great evening programs, such as Erev Ohel (tent night), Erev Sports (sports night), and our very first Shabbat together. For Erev Ohel each Ohel (tent) plans a different activity.  It allows for great bonding time between the chanichim (campers) and the madrichim (counselors).  One ohel had a pool party, had a BLAST!

Every Friday, we have a special limud (study) to prepare us for Shabbat. We set up three stations and every chanich (camper) gets to go to all of them. One station is Israeli dancing, where they get to learn some of the dances we do at camp.  Another station is shira (songs) where they get to learn the songs they will be singing at Shabbat Shira, and they also get to make Challah covers. Everyone had a chance to make a Challah cover and they were used during Shabbat dinner for all of camp. It was so cool!

We had a great Shabbat this week. We started it off with wonderful Kabbalat Shabbat services, and then we joined the entire camp for dinner. After that, we went to Shabbat Shira, where the whole camp joins together for an amazing song session.  This week, Shabbat Shira took place outside on the Bitan and we were all able to enjoy the beautiful weather outside. Saturday was a nice, relaxing day.  We went to the lake and had a restful menucha (rest time).

Last night, we had Saturday Night Folk Night!  We sat around Tzofim’s new medurah (campfire) and sang folk songs and ate s’mores. We ended Shabbat with a beautiful Havdalah.

I can’t wait for this next week in Tzofim…it’s going to be a blast!