Shabbat: Celebrated in Camper Poetry by Rabbi Elliot Goldberg
At different points during the summer, Rabbi Elliot Goldberg’s Limud (learning) groups participated in a poetry writing seminar and composed original poems about their experiences during Shabbat at Ramah.
As the eighth and final Shabbat of the summer draws near, we offer you a selection of poems that we hope will enhance your celebration of Shabbat and give you a taste of Shabbat at Ramah (brownies mentioned, but not included).
Shabbat at Ramah
Selected Poems from the Chanichim (Campers) of Kayitz 2021
Shabbat Candles
The warmth of Shabbos candles on my hand
Light flickers gently on the rim of the tin foil pan
Chatter of the machaneh in the background
I feel at home, safe and sound.
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Seeing the candles flicker in the dimming light
Hearing the sound of prayers fill the air
Adding grape juice to our cups
Brownies, oh so sweet and chewy
Breathing the smell of fresh food
At the tent dripping wet
The wonders of Shabbat
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Friends swaying in unison
As they sway side to side
The candles shine bright
An orange glow reflecting on their faces
A warm meal awaits us
And the infamous brownies
Are yet to be eaten
Shabbat at Ramah
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Sitting in the hadar
Hearing all the sound
All the people singing
Banging, shouting, standing on the benches, not just on the ground
Being here is awesome
The hadar is where we eat and sing
This is an awesome thing
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I wake up to no music whatsoever
but to the sound of kids playing together
and as I go out to watch the game
I wonder what the day will bring.
While walking back from nowhere specific
I think about how my Shabbat outfit will be terrific
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המרפסת
(The Porch)
Standing here it feels small
but there is more to it.
On the מרפסת, there is fun.
On the מרפסת, there is food.
On the מרפסת, there is activism.
On the מרפסת, there is life.
On the מרפסת…
…there is home
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Drafting magic cards
Building a really great deck
It was really fun
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Camper-Staff
I lift my head up and see the disc soaring in the air
I look down at this kid and think its not fair
I jump up with my feet above his hair
I catch the disc over my head and celebrate in the air
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Mah Yedidut
I stand in the middle of the moadon
Friends pushing against each other toward the center of the room
Bodies pushing each other
Nai, nai, nai’s surrounding us all
As we scream our favorite song at the top of our lungs
Sweat dripping down our faces
Each jump shaking the floor
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We sang songs as we shivered
And the prayers got delivered
We had all the free time
And the Hebrew prayers
Were sublime
It drizzled
And it sizzled
As Shabbat went away
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Camp Wide Havdalah
Step in, step out
The feeling of community
Step in, step out
The sizzle of the candle
Step in, step out
The hands of friends around my back
Step in, step out
The sound of many voices mixing together
Step in, step out
Together, everyone,
Separating together.
