Week Three Israel Programming

As kids 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 our chanichim/ot (campers) 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: In a peulat erev (evening post-dinner activity), chanichim/ot (campers) went around to different stations where they did activities that connected with different places in Israel. We  danced at the Dead Sea, debated issues at the Knesset in Jerusalem (waffles vs pancakes, birds vs squirrels, green vs red, and dinosaurs vs unicorns), and played Israel trivia!  It was a wonderful night filled with lots of positive energy!  The kids had a blast and learned a lot!

Ilanot: This week in a special peulah (program), Ilanot learned about the ancient market in Beit She’an and created their own products to sell to their madrichim (counselors).  During p eulat Shabbat (a Saturday afternoon activity), we learned about the geography of Israel and played fun games related to some of the major cities in Israel.

Solelim: We had an amazing peulat erev (evening activity) where the chanichim/ot learned about different cities and regions in Israel and then created presentations explaining what is special about that place.  We also had a peulat Shabbat (Saturday afternoon activity) in which our chanichim/ot learned the about the history of the State of Israel; we also played some popular Israeli games!  It was great to see the chanichim/ot gain a deeper understanding about Israel.

Shoafim: In an amazing peulat Shabbat (Saturday afternoon activity), the Shoafimers presented alternate national anthems, foods, mascots, animals and other various things to a panel judges, debating what they thought best represented Israel.  The kids then learned about Theodore Hertzel and explored Israel’s real national anthem, Hatikva, as well as other true-to-life answers to the topics they’d been debating.

Tikvah: This past Shabbat, Tikvah had a special opportunity to both share and hear stories about Israel. We began our activity by listening to two mishlachat members tell their stories about their families moving to Israel, growing up there, and especially what it has been like living on a kibbutz as a child.  Our campers were able to ask questions, and also share about their family members who live in Israel.  Afterwards, an Amitzim camper who lives in Israel talked about how lucky he feels to live in Jerusalem and be part of a place with such great food and culture.  We then had a few participants share about their experience of going on the Tikvah Israel trip.  After hearing stories and sharing memories from Israel, we all sang Am Yisrael chai and Hatikvah.  It was such a nice program to learn more about Israel and get to share our love with the edah.

Magshimim: This week’s medurah (campfire) was all about recreating the Lag b’Omer experience in Israel.  The programming highlighted the value of connection; an important message of the holiday.  The chanichim/ot played a gratitude game for their friends to reflect on our appreciation for each other… and of course we also sang lots of Israeli songs!

Bogrim: We had a great peulat erev (evening activity), in which we learned about the four fundamental values of the IDF: defense of the state of Israel and its residents, patriotism and loyalty to Israel, human dignity, and statehood.  We rotated around different stations to participate in activities that explored these values.  At the end of the program, one of our Israeli counselors shared about his experience in the IDF and how he felt that he fulfilled his values on a personal level.

Machon: In Machon, we have had a good mix of celebrating Israeli culture and having challenging conversations about this past year.  We had a really meaningful peulat Shabbat where we heard from one madrich whose unit saved 200 people from a kibbutz in the south of Israel, and another madrich who stepped up and volunteered when his gap year program became derailed.  We competed in Israel jeopardy to learn more about Israel’s history and culture, and like all the edot across camp, we have added Acheinu into our daily tfillot to remind ourselves of  the importance of community during this time.

Nivonim: This week as part of our hadracha program, in with our Nivonimers receive training about how to be a MiNi (CIT — madrich b’Nivonim), we ran a session designed to help the Nivonimers think critically about Israel education programming for Tzad Aleph (A-Side) campers.  The Nivonimers developed several program ideas that we hope to be able to run later this kayitz (summer)!

It’s been an exciting week here at camp, and we can’t wait for what’s ahead…!