Summer 2025, Week 3

While the week was filled with excitement, the Zimriyah was the shining moment for all. Leading up to the performance, campers eagerly learned the songs and motions, and performing for their parents was absolutely the best part! Throughout the week, campers stayed busy with plenty of other fun and engaging activities. In bishul (cooking), Nevatim made limonana garus (blended mint lemonade) that was both tasty and cooling! Such a refreshing treat! In Shiur, this week, Nevatim learned how to count in Hebrew, and they had so much fun practicing throughout the week! At Park Mada, campers loved diving into hands-on science fun and making their own slime was a total hit! It’s clear that Nevatim campers love to create, using their imagination at Makers and keeping busy in ceramics. We also began a very special summer-long project. Without giving too much away, each camper will bring home a beautiful Shabbat box at the end of the summer!

In addition to preparing for Zimriyah, we spent our days keeping cool with free swim, sprinklers, and tons of water play, the perfect way to beat the heat! In omanut (art), we were inspired by the art of Nahum Gutman, known for his beautiful landscape scenes. Campers created cityscape prints using stamping techniques with everyday objects like straws and cups. In bishul bachutz (outdoor cooking), we made delicious apple crisp that was a big hit with everyone! At ma’ayan (beading), campers beaded special red headpieces to show their Kochavim spirit during the Zimriyah performance. This week, we also added extra story time and spent more time practicing our daily davening.  On Thursday, we had a really special tefillah! Kochavimers loved having live guitar music! We focused on “Ma Tovu” and “Modeh Ani,” and the singing felt extra meaningful with the music.In Shiur, Kochavim “visited” the Galil, where they “picked grapes” and even made their own grape juice. Such a fun and yummy way to connect to Israel!

In addition to all the Zimriyah rehearsals, Shorashim also enjoyed practicing our edah cheers, especially the campers favorite featuring Mar and Giveret Koach during Tefillah. This week, Shorashim began taking turns leading Tefillah for the entire edah. During Tefillah, it felt very special when we shared things we’re thankful for. Campers mentioned family, friends, Camp Ramah, Hashem, yummy food, and our beautiful planet Earth! At Park Mada, campers had the opportunity to explore the basics of coding by using a Sphero robot to play bowling! First, they programmed the robot’s speed and distance, then tested their code by launching it toward the bowling pins. It was a fun, hands-on way to learn about programming and robotics through play. In bishul (cooking), we made colorful and delicious fruit skewers, while in Shiur, after learning about the gates of Jerusalem, Shorashim created beautiful stained-glass Mizrach signs using colorful transparent paper.Our week was full of creativity and movement too!  Campers made cereal bowls in ceramics, explored the colorful landscape art of Nachum Gutman in omanut (art), and had fun in gymnastics and low ropes. One of our favorite parts of the week continues to be rikkud (dance) on the migrash! So much energy and fun!

While Zimriyah was definitely the highlight of the week, Nitzanim still found plenty of time for all kinds of fun activities! In bishul bachutz (outdoor cooking), campers enjoyed making delicious apple crumble. Over at the migdal, campers challenged themselves on the climbing wall, cheering on each other on every step of the way! During pre-Zimriyah edah time, we made the most of the outdoors, playing on the playground structures and having a blast in a few fun games of gaga with our madrichim (counselors). In Shiur, Nitzanim learned about the Knesset and the democratic process. They even held a mock election, voting for their favorite glida (ice cream). What a sweet and fun way to bring learning to life!

While Zimriyah was certainly the highlight of the week, Solelim still had plenty of time for all kinds of exciting activities! We kept active playing a variety of sports, with a special focus on soccer and archery, and we challenged ourselves on the Migdal climbing tower. In omanut (art), we explored the artwork of Israeli artist Nachum Gutman, known for his unique style and beautiful landscape scenes. Inspired by Gutman’s work, campers used watercolor to create soft colorful backgrounds. Then, using a foam etching, they added inked prints of silhouettes of the Jerusalem skyline, just like Gutman’s iconic landscape pieces. Another highlight this week was our adventure at the creek, where campers enjoyed the peaceful sound of running water while digging, moving rocks, and searching for little bugs! It was a perfect moment to connect with nature. On Friday, our beloved edah mascot Zizi the peacock made a surprise appearance at Oneg. It was so special, and we’re happy that ZiZi is back with us!

In addition to preparing for Zimriyah, we still packed our days with fun, creativity, and adventure! In etz (woodworking), campers crafted their own wooden boxes. Over at migdal, we, literally, challenged ourselves to reach new heights! We also practiced our aim in archery, doing our best to hit the bullseye. A particularly meaningful moment happened during Tefillah, when campers shared their beautiful Mah Rabu moments. We ended the week on a high note by watching the talented Ramah Performs put on a fantastic play!

In between all the excitement of Zimriyah preparations, our campers stayed busy with plenty of other fun and engaging activities! At the Migdal, there was a lot of climbing fun as Nevonim challenged themselves on the rock walls. In Omanut (art), we explored the stained glass windows of Marc Chagall and used them as inspiration to create beautiful fairy light jars. In Park Mada, Nevonim campers were hard at work with robotics and got creative using ThinkPads to design and 3D print their very own dreidels, blending technology and tradition! Nevonim campers continued to enjoy their bechira (electives), choosing from a variety of options ranging from sports like archery, tennis, basketball, soccer and also crafting at ma’ayan (beading) with creative beading.This week, Nevonim were introduced to Tefillah options. The chanichim (campers) had the chance to explore journaling, meditation, and beginner Tefillah learning, giving them space to connect in a way that felt meaningful to them.

Throughout the week, Bogrim campers were busy, creative, and full of energy! In Omanut, we explored the work of Israeli artist Nahum Gutman, known for pioneering a unique Israeli art style. His pieces often include beautiful landscapes. Inspired by Gutman’s work, campers used watercolor to create soft colorful backgrounds. Then, using a foam etching, they added inked prints of silhouettes of the Jerusalem skyline, just like Gutman’s iconic landscape pieces. In ceramics, the campers are having a blast designing fun and silly “monster bowls.” These fun creations really showed off their creativity and silly sides! Bogrim campers are enjoying their bechira (elective) sessions, ranging from sports like softball, basketball, soccer, Gaga, and rikkud (dance), to arts (such as ma’ayan with creative beading), and science. This week, some of our chanichim went to Park Mada, where they made slime. We also enjoyed a magic show in the Ramot gym just before Zimriyah and had a fun Peulat Edah, where campers played a trivia game, testing  their knowledge about camp, Bogrim counselors, and Israel. It was great to see how much they know!

Sha’ar

Sha’ar had a chalom week! We were so proud of all of our chanichim (campers) and madrichim (counselors) who sang their hearts out at Zimriyah. It was wonderful to see so many families here at camp on Wednesday night! This week in addition to practicing their songs for Zimriyah, chanichim had so much fun in their peulot (activities) all around camp. They loved learning camp’s migrash dances in rikkud (dance), going on a mini trek (hike) in the zerem (stream) in teva, and making a special project in etz (woodworking). They also enjoyed eating their shipuday yerakot (vegetable skewers) and banana eem marshmallow v’chocolat (banana with marshmallow and chocolate) in bishul bachutz (outdoor cooking), and doing fun nisayyim mada’im (science experiments) and boling (bowling) in Park Mada! Chanichim also enjoyed using their mealtime milim (words) this week, asking their madrichim to pass them more orez v’shiuit im gvina (rice and beans with cheese), maklot dag (fish sticks) plenty of peirot (fruits).