Shoafimers Turned Architects: Designing the Temple

Today the Jewish world, and Camp Ramah New England specifically, commemorated Tisha B’Av (the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av). Throughout the course of the day, we learned about the day’s significance in Jewish history, including the various tragedies that have occurred on that day. We sang “Eli Zion,” a song traditionally sung on Tisha B’Av, followed by “Eli Eli,” a song written by Hannah Senesh, a partisan fighter captured in World War II. We ended with “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav,” (“Jerusalem of Gold”), a song about the expression of one’s love for Israel and Jerusalem, closing the program on a hopeful note. As we explained throughout the day today through our progression from reading to chanting to singing during t’filot (prayers), as well as through our gradual return to normal activities, while we mourn the tragedies we have faced throughout Jewish history, we are thankful for Israel and Jerusalem and must sustain hope for peace in the near future.

As an edah, Shoafim concluded our Tisha B’Av experience with a program that enabled each camper to think about what elements he or she would want to have as part of a rebuilt Temple, and each camper was given the opportunity to draw his or her ideal. While the edah returned to their tzrifim to get ready for bed, those chanichim (campers) and madrichim (staff) who had fasted were able to participate in Ma’ariv (the evening service) with Tzad Bet (B-Side) and break their fasts! It was a thoughtful Tisha B’Av, and being at camp, surrounded by so many other Jews deep in their own thoughts on the day, made it all the more meaningful.


Categories: Shoafim
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