Here we are getting ready for our third and final Shabbat of First Session– can you believe another week has gone by? So many activities happen every day, and we want to share some of the highlights with you!

Last Sunday, the groups hit the road again; Offarim, Oranim, and Sayarim enjoyed amusement parks while Tsofim, Kesher, and Bogrim packed their gear for a campout overnight. Everyone returned to camp exhausted, but having had a wonderful time.

Monday morning was extra exciting as we welcomed 10 new Rishonim campers to our Taste of CJ Daled session! Their first few days have been full of activities and new experiences.

All day Tuesday, the Kesher group prepared for their Hatzaga (play) which they based off of The Fiddler On The Roof, the musical they saw on Broadway the week before. Their rendition of “If I Were a Rich Man” was re-written as “If I Was a [camp] Director!” They performed the play along with a dance and eda song in front of the entire camp on Tuesday evening. Everyone really enjoyed their performance!

Wednesday evening, we found out that camp had been invaded by GIANT bumblebees! We had to call in expert beekeepers and bee-catchers to help contain the problem. When they arrived, though, we noticed there was something rather familiar about our visitors…

Before we had enough time to question, Red Team, Blue Team, White Team, and Green Team captains came running and yelling across the field to announce that it was Bikkurim (Color War!) The bees mysteriously disappeared…

All day Thursday the four teams competed in sports, trivia, and cheering activities that were centered around the Middot, or values, that make a mensch. Each of the four colors which were given two middot on which to focus their ruach:

White– Gevurah גבורה (Will Power) and Malchut מלכות (Wonder)

Red– Ahava אהבה (Love) and Histakr’nut הִסתַקרְנוּת (Curiosity)

Green– Ometz Lev אומץ לב (Courage) and Rodef Shalom רודף שלום (Pursuit of Peace)

Blue– Hochma חוכמה (Wisdom) and Emunah אמונה (Conviction)

After a long day of neck-and-neck competition, the Blue Team was crowned victorious. It was a great day for everyone in camp, and we thank all of the staff members who worked tirelessly to plan the whole event!

Tonight we will welcome Shabbat for the last time this session. We are trying to bring back the tradition of a “White” Shabbat where everyone comes to Kabbalat Shabbat dressed in white. We think it will be a beautiful sight in the amphitheatre overlooking the lake. We are looking forward to spending the day tomorrow soaking up our last camp Shabbat of first session before returning to the busy fun on Sunday.

In the week ahead, we will cheer on the Bogies as they write, direct, and perform their Hatzaga. We will also be treated to a Billy Jonas concert, the camp-wide Hatzaga, and, of course, a very special banquet night on the last evening of camp.

Make sure you check out this week’s CJ News!  We know you’ll enjoy it!  Shabbat Shalom…

CAMP JUDAEA NEWS 2016 – WEEK 3 from Camp Judaea on Vimeo.