Hello From Camp!

My oh my, friends of Galil, we have been having an exciting time here in Ottsville, PA! Last night, we had Aliyah Bet. Aliyah Bet is an activity in which all of the chanichim (campers) are woken up in the middle of the night to go through a number of stations designed to recreate the secret aliyah of Jews into Palestine during British rule. We take our campers through the trails of machaneh (camp) until they finally reach Palestine (usually known as the Galil parking lot). One of the things that makes this such a special activity is that it is almost entirely planned and run by the Bonim (post 8th graders). It is their first real experience running programming and taking on an active leadership role at camp. Despite the serious nature of the programming, it is also very very fun. Chanichim snuck past British solders, met with famous Zionists, and yes, once they made it to “Palestine” there were hot chocolate and brownies. 

The next morning, machaneh awoke to Israeli music and strings of blue and white flags cascading from trees and buildings. It was Yom Yisrael (Israel Day)! The chanichim spent the morning and most of the afternoon running around playing games that reflected the cultural growth of Israel, eating falafel, and there was even an Israel carnival. Now, I don’t often like to interject with my opinion too heavily on these internet communication devices, but here I must. The falafel that we had for lunch wasn’t just camp falafel. Oh no. You see, this summer, we have not one but TWO Israeli chefs! They made Israeli salad. They made chareef (spicy sauce). Home made hummus. Zatar as far as the eye could see. I have not been to Israel since my year fighting the good fight on Workshop 56, but when I bit into this falafel, it was as if I was walking the streets of Old Akko, through the hustle and bustle of Hummus Sayiid, old men bartering over sacks of spices, and tourists spending too much money on tapestries and incense.  It was a very good falafel. 

Hoora, 

Shiah 

 Hello friends of Camp Galil,  

 Today was an exciting day for machaneh (camp). Aside from the consistent balagan (craziness) we like to partake in, some of our young warriors for justice went out into society today in the hopes of helping to build a better world. Every year we take our campers out to do tikkun olam (healing the world).  In the past we have partnered with the Jewish Relief Agency, the Abramson Center, and other local community organizations.  Tikkun olam is an incredibly important tenet of Judaism and we feel it is vital to incorporate it into Galil's Jewish programming.    

 At ten in the morning our Amelim (post 3rd and 4th graders) and Sayarim (post 6th graders) took a ride to an urban farm in Philadelphia run by an organization called Urban Tree Connection. Urban Tree Connection takes vacant lots and helps the community turn them into gardens. Members of the community joined our chanichim (campers) in weeding, mulching, and planting in the garden. After a good bout of hard work, we sat back, reapplied sunscreen, ate some soynut butter and jelly sandwiches, and bathed in the natural beauty, this oasis of an organic garden hidden away in the concrete jungle of Philadelphia. It was good.  

 Not to worry if your camper did not do tikkun olam today! In order to make sure there would be enough meaningful work for each camper, we are going in three shifts throughout the summer.  After getting such a great review from the Amelim and Sayarim, all of the other chanichim (campers) are excited to go, too!  

 Back at machaneh (camp), the world continued to turn. The Bogrim (post 9th graders) had a special day which included but was not limited to: some deep ideological discussion of tikkun olam and their responsibility as a shicvah (age group) to the world around them, a sleep in, and an ice cream Sunday fight.  

 We were happy to be reintroducing a little diddy that we like to call Habonim Dror Olami (Worldwide Habonim Dror) to our day with a brief exploration into what Habonim Dror is like Uruguay.    

 Finally, tonight is movie night!  The whole camp will come together to watch the classic "Remember The Titans."
Hoora!  

 Shiah  

When Galil reached out to its alumni last month asking for help completing the new Amy Adina Schulman Center at Galil, many answered the call.  However, not all alumni -- especially the younger ones -- could afford to give $1 per day for the next three years.  As a result, they are banding together by kvutzah (age group) to show their support for Galil and this project.

Kvutzat Workshop 55 (as pictured below, when they were in Chotrim 1998) led the way!  Most graduated college in the past year or two and are still settling into the working world.  They decided that as a kvutzah they would raise $5,500.  Today they are proud to announce that they have already exceeded their goal with $5,798 -- and more still coming in. 

"The Galil experience is never-ending," says alumna Talia Stein.  "I stopped attending machaneh (camp) seven years ago, but the values I was instilled with continue to inform my every day life.  Perhaps most importantly, Galil taught me that tikkun olam is not a trip we take every session, but a guiding principle for every day life.  I give, together with my kvutzah, the people who changed my life, so that more people can have the unforgettable and incomparable Galil experience.

Thank you, Kvutzat Workshop 55 for your help!  We are closer to our goal as a result of your generosity! 

Do you want to do something similar with your age group, family, friends, etc.?  Contact Ilana for assistance. 

Want to contribute to the campaign?  Please click here or send a check with this pledge sheet to:

Campaign for Galil

PO Box 1245

Newtown, PA 18940