Summer 2019, Week 7

This summer, we're continuing to include conversation starters, bolded in each section of Edah News.




Nevatim

Nevatim campers had a moosh week! In teva, we collected interesting looking leaves which we painted and used to make leaf prints, and etched leaf rubbings. Our beautiful leaf artwork formed one big mural that we displayed in Beit Nevatim. Chanichim were so excited to see that the wheatgrass we planted last week started to grow! They compared the wheatgrass planted outside with wheatgrass kept in flower pots inside, and noticed that the ones grown outside ones were greener and longer because of exposure to sunlight and rain. Nevatim campers decided to move all the wheatgrass outside and were thrilled to see that they all grew to be long and lush, and are now ready to bring home! Ask your camper about the wheatgrass he/she planted. In omanut, we turned plain bottles into lovely colorful shabbat candlesticks, and in bishul, we made pickles by cutting up cucumbers and adding spices. We participated in the campwide community tree project in ma’ayan, where we created insects out of clay, pipe cleaners, and beads. Chanichim enjoyed visiting with local community helpers. We even climbed into their safety vehicles. We can’t believe our time in Nevatim has come to an end. It has been a magical two weeks filled with laughter, creativity, play, friendship, and growth. We will miss our new friends and can’t wait to see them as Kochavim campers in Kayitz 2020! We wish you a Shabbat Shalom from Nevatim!







Kochavim

Kochavim had such an exciting week at camp! We especially enjoyed Yom Giborim (Heroes Day), focusing on community helpers – both dressing-up as them and having a special visit from own local community helpers. We even got to sit in a firetruck, police car, and ambulance! Ask your camper what vehicles he/she enjoyed exploring. We also demonstrated the importance of being part of a larger community by presenting thank you cards to our visitors. Chanichim had a moosh time on our trip to Greenburgh Nature Center on Thursday where we saw many different types of animals including a snake, a ferret, and a tortoise. When we returned to camp we had a great time at an interactive fire and ice themed show with Mad Science. Campers loved participating in experiments and had a blast! In bishul bachutz his week, Kochavim also enjoyed cooking and comparing sweet popcorn (mixed which chocolate and marshmallows) and savory popcorn (mixed with spices). We wish your family a Shabbat Shalom from Kochavim!




Shorashim

Shorashim had a blast at camp this week! On Wednesday, we had Yom Beresheet (“In The Beginning”), a day focused on the creation of the world. Chanichim visited various stations emphasizing the different days of creation, including experimenting with darkness and light, feeling different textures in our sky and sea touch tank, and collecting, tracing, and coloring in leaves. Campers loved depicting the different phases of the moon using oreo cookies. Ask your camper about his/her favorite activity on Yom Beresheet. Trip day was moosh! We kicked off the day with tie-dying t-shirts. We then went to Billy Beez where we jumped on trampolines, climbed on jungle gyms, and slid down slides. When we returned to camp, Shorashim were amazed by a Mad Science show that explored the state of matter. In bishul bachutz, chanichim had fun making both sweet and savory popcorn, and in teva, campers collected twings and built one-of-a-kind birds nests. Shorashim wish you all a Shabbat Shalom!





Nitzanim

Nitzanim had a great week! On Yom Imagineers, campers were engaged in creative activities as imaginative engineers. Chanichim participated in a water relay-race, invention creation, tie-dying, and mimicking animal shapes with their bodies. Ask your camper about his/her favorite activity on Yom Imagineers. Our trip to The Maritime Aquarium was a highlight of the week! We loved watching the IMAX movie, “Our Blue Planet,” and touching different animals, including jellyfish and stingrays. When we returned to camp, we enjoyed a wacky and spectacular Mad Science show. This week, Nitzanim also participated in a beautiful musical tefillah with Amicahi. In omanut, we made bright and bold graffiti inspired hats that we can’t wait to wear. Wishing all of you a Shabbat Shalom!




Solelim

Solelim had another incredible week at camp! On Yom Tayar (Tourist Day), we came to camp dressed to explore the Jewish communities around the world. Our scavenger hunt introduced us to Jewish people and cultures worldwide. We also discussed famous Jewish international figures including David Ben Gurion and Sandy Koufax. The highlights of the day were visiting different counties, including participating in a soccer tournament in Brazil, constructing pyramids in Egypt, building the Great Wall of China, and tasting crackers and tea in England. Ask your camper about his/her trip around the world. Trip day was really moosh! We had such a fun time bowling and participating in an interactive game show at Powerhouse Studios. Musical tefillah with Amicahi is always a special treat for us. We look forward to an exciting close to the summer next week. Solelim wish all of you a Shabbat Shalom!





Tzeirim

Tzeirim campers had a fun-filled week at camp. Yom Mitachat L’Yam (Under The Sea Day) was filled with special peulot related to the wonders of the ocean. We discussed the bracha of “oseh ma’aseh beresheet,” which we recite when we see natural wonders, and the importance of respecting our environment. Chanichim loved our under-the-sea scavenger hunt where we searched for sea turtles all around camp! Peulot also included “fishing” and making sand art. Trip day to Playland Park was a really special day! Campers loved riding the roller coasters, cooling off on the water rides, and challenging themselves on the thrill rides. When we returned to camp we did an egg drop experiment. Each team built a vessel for an egg, then dropped the egg from the clock tower. Ask your camper about his/her egg vessel and if the egg stayed in tact. Before winding down for the night, we enjoyed a talent show, bunk competitions, and an indoor bonfire. Campers had a moosh time sleeping over at camp. This week, we enjoyed singing the new tunes that Amichai taught us in tefillah. Shabbath Shalom!




Nevonim

Nevonim loved week seven at camp! We participated in our annual ta’aleh, a mitzvah hike up Hook Mountain for tzedekah. Ask your camper about his/her ta’aleh. This year, we raised $490 for Friendship Circle, a non-profit organization that provides individuals with special needs the support, friendship, and inclusion that everyone deserves. We thank all of those who gave tzedekah in honor of our hike. On Thursday, we had our final Torah reading of the summer. Thank you to all our campers who participated this summer in this beautiful Nevonim tradition. Trip day to Launch Trampoline Park was a highlight of the week. Chanichim enjoyed jumping and bouncing together as an edah. When we returned to camp, we got creative decorating t-shirts and cooled off in an afternoon swim. Before going to sleep for the night in Beit Kochavim, we watched a movie while munching on s’mores and popcorn.  Shabbat Shalom from Nevonim!






Chalutzim & Bogrim

Chalutzim and Bogrim campers had a busy and exciting week! On Tuesday, we departed camp for our three-day trip to Baltimore. Chanichim had a great time bonding and getting to know each other better. We loved touring the National Aquarium seeing all the interesting sea animals and underwater seascapes. The Inner Harbor was picturesque, and we appreciated being outside in a stunning setting. After a rain delay, we enjoyed a Yankees vs. Orioles baseball game. We thank B’nai Israel for hosting us as their overnight guests. The next morning, we had the pleasure of saying tefillah in the beautiful sanctuary at B’nai Israel. Then off to Six Flags America where fun was had by all! After an amazing day filled with roller coasters and water rides, we ended the day with fun activities planned by our mishlachat. Our final day on the trip was spent participating in a meaningful chesed program at Lions Gate senior center. We are so proud of our Chalutzim and Bogrim campers who visited with the seniors and gifted them with ceramics made by campers. To slow down after a few busy days, on Friday our campers were happy to have Yom Sleep! In this yom meyuchad, we discussed the importance of sleep and knowing when we need to rest our bodies. We wish you all a Shabbat Shalom from Chalutzim and Bogrim!