We had a great first week in Judaica! S4 did a thoughtful program based on the Shema that encouraged campers to find (or create) signs in their lives that help guide their choices and direction. Tusc was introduced to its brand-new Judaica program focused on identity, and looks forward to their first Tusc Judaica period this upcoming Monday.
Our First Shabbat was led by our new village of Oneida, and the campers did a fantastic job. The theme was “expectations,” and several campers gave mini-speeches about what “expectations” means to them. Other Oneidans performed a captivating parsha players skit, led blessings, or picked songs to include in the services. We also had a special performance by Max Jacobson, Oneida staff, and Liz Patterson, Head Specialist for Drama. A copy of my dvar is available on this website.
After Saturday morning services each camper participated in a discussion or activity with their partner group. For example, youngest and middle Onondaga worked together with youngest and middle Cayuga to create dramatizations of classic Shabbat stories using a variety of random items. Oldest Cayuga and Onondaga explored Shabbat’s five senses, and then read and discussed a beautiful folktale from Algeria about a young boy’s Shabbat adventures in the Saharan desert. Youngest Seneca and Mohawk reflected on what it means to make a place of prayer special. After looking at images of synagogues around the world, the campers created visual depictions of their ideal prayer space. Middle Seneca and Mohawk learned about the meaning behind several classic morning prayers, and then found pop songs that they felt best reflected those prayers’ intents. Oldest Seneca and Mohawk learned about the nineteen blessings of the Amidah, and then thought creatively about what they would add as their personal “twentieth blessing,” whether a blessing of thanks or petition. Tusc debated whether or not they were “American Jews” or “Jewish Americans” and began their summer-long exploration of personal identity, while Oneida learned about the origins of the Jewish census and reflected on how they “count themselves in” to the Jewish community both here at camp and at home. All discussion period activities were a huge success, and we look forward to next week!
Joy Newman, Judaic Director
