Israel Peulot Across Camp!

As our chanichim/ot (campers) grow up at camp, it’s important to us that they learn about Israel and develop a close connection to Israel.  This happens in so many ways at camp.  Probably the most important way that kids connect to Israel is through connecting to our wonderful shlichim, our delegation of Israeli counselors.  We’re blessed with an incredible mishlachat, filled with young Israelis who’ve chosen to travel to spend the summer with us at camp.  Kids at camp love their counselors, and so through them they develop a love for Israel.

At the same time, it’s also important to us that we create programming about Israel for our campers, so that in an age-appropriate way they can learn about Israel, its history, its people, its culture, and more.

Across camp this past week, our tzevet ran an array of peulot (programs) focused on Israel.  Here’s just a taste of what’s been happening at camp!

Kochavim: We ran a peulah exploring the history and spirituality of the Kotel, and during tefillot we gave the chanichim/ot time to write notes to be put in the Kotel.

Ilanot: We ran a peulah in which our chanichim traveled to different stations, with each one exploring a different part of Israel, along with a fun mischak (game).  There was Israeli trivia, a map puzzle, an Israeli culture activity and an activity focused on various common Israeli phrases!

Solelim: This week in Solelim, we learned about Israeli music and culture through an interactive peulah in whichwe played Israel’s Got Talent and different trivia challenges.

Shoafim: We ran a fun educational peulah, learning about the Israeli government and the pros and cons of a coalitional government system.

Amitzim: Amitzim has been absolutely LOVING Cafe Ramah Israel and Israeli Games as peulot this session! They have been enjoying practicing their Hebrew through different games and learning about the history of different Israeli foods, as well as making some!

Magshimim: Magshimim chanichim/ot learned about how the Israeli government forms coalitions by way of… pastries!?  It’s true!  Each chanich was assigned the role of one of thirteen desserts and told to find six other desserts to match with.  Sounds easy, right?  Well, not when each dessert has certain qualities that other desserts refuse to work with!  The desserts played as metaphorical stand-ins for political parties.  Once a coalition of deserts was formed, a discussion commenced relating the activity to the real-life Israeli political system.  Magshimim campers did this peulah on Wednesday this week, and Nivonim campers will do it over Shabbat.

Bogrim: This past Shabbat, the edah had the opportunity to hear from their fellow chanichim who live in Israel, about their experience since October 7th.  This was a powerful moment of connection between our campers.

Machon: The Israeli chanichim from the NOAM program, who are with us in our edah this machzor (session), led a conversation for the edah.  They discussed life as a teenager in Israel, their Jewish traditions at home, and how their lives have been impacted since October 7th.

Nivonim: See above in the Magshimim section for a description of the Peulat Shabbat that we’ll be running this Shabbat afternoon!