Yom Avatiach (Watermelon Day) – A Deliciously Fun Day!

A watermelon is carved open to display a black-and-white photo of a young girl inside. The words “I ♥ Michelle” are spelled with letters and a heart on top of the watermelon. The display sits on a tray.

One of our highly celebrated traditions here at camp is Yom Avatiach (Watermelon Day). Throughout the day, we had many events to honor one of our favorite fruits. To begin the day, many campers and staff members dressed in red/pink and green. There were even a few head-to-toe watermelon costumes spotted around the machane (camp). We had refreshing watermelon at every meal, including watermelon water ice for an after-lunch treat. Many activities in camp throughout the day were themed around the watermelons. In jewelry, campers made watermelon earrings and bracelets. In Limud (Jewish learning), many campers had the opportunity to learn the Talmudic significance of the fruit – did you know that the word avatiach is only mentioned once in the entire Tanakh?

One of the most special parts of the yom (day) is the highly competitive watermelon carving competition. The night efore, many staff members had the opportunity to carve a watermelon. Many designs were extremely intricate, impressive, and showed off people’s carving skills. We had turtles, sharks, the Alpine tower, and even baby Moshe in the basket. There were 20 total submissions. During the day campers and staff had the chance to view the carvings and vote on their favorite. Win or lose, every carving was unique and special.

Days such as Yom Avatiach truly show how even the simplest things in life can become an awesome celebration here at camp. Stay tuned for a new yom in kayitz 2024!

Two creatively carved watermelons sit on metal trays. One resembles a monster with jagged teeth and a leafy tongue, while the other has round eyes, a spoon in its mouth, and what looks like a chocolate bar sticking out. Two creative watermelon carvings on trays: one resembles a Minion face made with cucumber slices, and the other is shaped and colored like a turtle with a watermelon shell and head. Both are displayed for a contest. Four children sit and stand at an outdoor table under a tent, smiling and holding up colorful paintings. Art supplies are on the table. Trees and buildings are visible in the background. Three decorated watermelons sit on trays atop a table, each with a ribbon for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. A crowd stands behind them. The watermelons are carved and creatively styled for a competition. A watermelon carved to look like a frog, with its mouth wide open and filled with cubed watermelon pieces. Cucumber slices form the eyes, and pieces of watermelon create the tongue and feet. Other watermelon pieces are nearby. Two carved watermelons on trays: one resembles the Cheshire Cat with a wide grin and striped head, the other is a shark with an open mouth and cherry teeth. A sign reads Furious Shark. The setting appears to be an indoor event. A watermelon carved to look like a baby dinosaur, with green and red rind details, sits in a watermelon shell on a tray. A note reads Baby Moshe! and a red number 19 is written on the tray. Two smiling girls stand close together outdoors. One wears a green top, red tutu, and face paint; the other wears a green shirt, pink shorts, and a watermelon-patterned bucket hat. Both appear happy and relaxed in the sunlight. Two people stand smiling behind a metal table with a decorative watermelon carved to look like a shark with teeth. They wear name badges and casual clothing, and are outdoors under a pavilion with trees in the background. Several teens stand outdoors, some talking, while two in front examine trays with carved watermelons shaped like animals. The background shows trees and a colorful archway. One person is dressed in a costume made of watermelon rind.

Categories: Camp Ramah New England, Director, Yom Avatiach
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