This was a fantastic week in Judaica. The week started off strong, with M5, S4, and S5 doing a really creative program called "Night of 1000 Stars." This program requires each camper to dress as a pop icon and then, in their character, act out a classic biblical story. For example, Jonah might be reenacted as Lindsay Lohan, with the whale as Ari Baum. Younger campers continued Israeli dance week, learning three line dances with themes of peace. C3 also did a great program about Tisha B'Av. Based on the "Create Your Own Adventure" series, the campers pretented they were Jews trying to escape the Romans. Their fate was determined by the decisions they made as a group. Miraculously, all campers survived, and escaped the Roman soldiers.
This week's services were particularly beautiful. S1, S2, M1, and M2 prepared pieces. C5 and C3 picked the songs, O1 and O2 blessed the candles, O4 did kiddush, C2 did hamotzi, O3 braided challah, and M3 and S4 did parasha players. This week's theme was signs, not as in traffic signs, but rather things in our lives that give us meaning and direction. As explained in the attached dvar, the theme was derived from the parasha Va'etchanan, and the historic role of the Sh'ma in daily Jewish life.
Discussion periods also went well. Youngest Onondaga and Cayuga did velvet art based on the Jerusalem skyline, Middle Onondaga and Cayuga learned a little bit more about why we say blessings both before and after meals, and Oldest Onondaga and Cayuga spoke passionately about their "Mount Sinai Moment," or the moment in their life that was most pivotal, most significant. Youngest and Middle Seneca and Mohawk finished last week's program about responding to anti-Semitism, while Oldest Seneca and Mohawk discussed Judaism's historic response to interdating and engaged in modern interdating debates. CSL very much understands that many of our campers come from intermarried families, and welcomes everyone. The goal of this activity was in no way to judge intermarried choices, but rather to help campers understand the ways in which Jewish tradition and law address interdating, as well as think through how those traditions and laws could be applied to contemporary life. Tusc discussed the historic meaning of "Next Year in Jerusalem" and then reflected on their ideal place, whether Jerusalem or otherwise, while Oneida explored their varying responsibilities as young American Jewish leaders to help protect and perpetuate American Jewish life.
Session one Judaic programming has been a huge success. Thank you to everyone whose ideas, insight, and support made this new program possible. See you in August!
Joy Newman, Judaic Director
