Galil Is Hot Hot Hot

It was a balmy day here at machaneh, which always means one thing - mayim mayim mayim! With the temperature approaching the mid-90's, we turned our normally brecha-free Friday into a schiya chofsheet swimfest. 

After the morning's session of avodah and nikayon tzrif, the chanichim were privy to another peulah run by the Madatzim. Our shira session was all the more enthusiastic as shchavot sang their voices out to earn the right to be the next shichvah to go get pizza for lunch.

The chanichim utilized today's meeting at Hyde Park to publicly voice their individual opinions, thoughts, and concerns about machaneh to the entire group of chanichim and madrichim. It's great to see each child's ability to speak in front of 200 people progress from week to week. Our afternoon was filled with basketball, the mischak hashavua, and the aforementioned schiya chofsheet.

The evening calmed down, as we prepared for Shabbat, sitting in discussion groups with our friends and family members at machaneh talking about Judaism and our week.  Afterwards we lowered the Israeli and American flags at hitkansut erev and sung the songs we reserve for Shabbat: "Hatikva," the Israeli national anthem, and "This Land is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie.  We enjoyed watching the Bogrim dance and sing for kabbalat Shabbat and ate our collective fills at Friday night dinner, which included challot homemade by the Madatzim.

During the week the Sayarim worked hard on writing their very own oneg, and the performance was a treat for all.  Afterwards we took our weekly stroll to the basketball court, where we danced the night away at rikudei am, which includes both old Israeli folk songs and newer material.  Of course we all gathered together for the Golden Broom ceremony, where the schichva with the cleanest tzrif and coolest decorations is awarded the machaneh-renowned Golden Broom for one whole week.  At the end of a long and fulfilling night the Madatzim had the opportunity to put their kids to bed.  Laila tov, Machaneh Galil!

B'shalom,

Josh and Alon

machaneh - camp

brecha - swimming pool

schiya chofsheet - free swim

avodah - work

nikayon tzrif - cabin cleaning

chanichim - campers

peulah -activity

Madatz - counselors in training

shira - singing

shchavot - age groups

madrichim - counselors

mischak hashavua - game of the week

hitkansut erev - flag lowering

kabbalat Shabbat - welcoming of Shabbat

oneg - skit/play (performed on Friday nights)

rikudei am - folk dancing

tzrif - cabin

laila tov - good night