This Saturday the unit of Arava (rising 7th graders) lead our camp in services. Here are some the their readings they shared based on the theme, Nitzachon (pushing through a challange) and Bitachon (building confidence and independence).
By Eitan:
As we celebrate the session’s first Shabbat morning, we are focusing on the themes of nitzachon and bitachon. Arava will be sharing their insights on these two powerful themes. Nitzachon, or struggling and pushing through a challenge, occurs almost daily here at camp. For example, almost everyone has or will struggle to climb the tower, but with great support, most of us have made it some ways and this demonstrates nitzachon. Bitachon is confidence and independence. Bitachon and nitzachon go hand in hand as many challenges require a bit of confidence to have the strength to just start.
Personally, one of the most memorable experiences of these middot occurred when most of my friends were placed in another cabin. I pushed through; however, and made many new friends in the process. This session, when you feel challenged or even intimidated, don’t give up before it starts. Take the first step on the tower – make new friends – no matter what the challenges are, push through and create lasting memories.
By Haily B, Lily B, Lizzie G, Allie P.
At Camp Harlam, we value seven special middot. For our service this morning, we are focusing on two of them: Bitachon atzmi, confidence and independence and nitzachon, pushing through a challenge. We experience these middot in our everyday lives at camp. I push through the challenge of sitting through the heat at S’morning every day. And I actually got out of bed this morning! I stayed in the freezing cold – “refreshing” – pool for more than five minutes even though I wanted to get out. And we can’t forget that I made it through woodshop with all ten fingers! Pushing through a challenge builds confidence and independence. In order to come to camp and to be successful, you have to learn to be confident and independent each and every day. What challenges do you push through each day?
Lexi S, Dasia M, Ilana R
Everyday is a new day, and Shabbat marks the end of the week. This allows campers, staff, and faculty to reset and restart. It allows each of us to have a clean slate as we can learn from our mistakes from this past week. We each have the opportunity to make this new week a time of new beginnings filled with many blessings.
This past week in AG3, we struggled with sharing food in the chadar ochel, so next week – we will work on it so it will even be better. Just as we give thanks for the blessing of a new day, we have the opportunity to make each new day a time to be better. So, for us and our bunkmates, we will learn to share so that every person has enough to eat and we respect one another to learn from our mistakes. We figure there are 24 hours a day – thus we can make 24 mistakes and then we will do our best to fix them. We will try and do our best knowing – tomorrow is another day filled with so much potential.
Scarlett S-W, Melissa K, Sasha R, Rachel Z, and Raya S
Dear Melissa – When I first met you, you were crazy, outgoing, and willing to do anything. I was not. I thought this would make it tough to connect with you. We overcame this challenge by getting to know each other. We suddenly realized that we come back to camp every year because of our friendship.
Dear Scarlett – When I first met you, you were very shy and you kept to yourself. Now you are way more outgoing and loud. You taught me how to overall be a better friend.
Dear Raya – I only have good things to say about you. You are just so nice and amazing. WhenI first met you in Carmel, I was very afraid of making friends. When I cam out of my shell, we were able to become very good friends.
Dear Rachel – When I first met you, you were crazy and I was still shy. You pulled lots of pranks, some of which were not very well understood and woke me up in the middle of the night. Now I realize that all of these things make you who you are. We were able to become such amazing friends and camp is so much more fun because of you.
Dear Sasha – When I first met you, I thought you did not like me since I felt like you were avoiding me. But then we got to know each other and now, we are such great friends. I do not know what camp would be like without you. I am glad that we took the time to become close friends.
Each of us overcame our challenges and became great friends – just like Israelites overcame their fears and crossed the Sea of Reeds, we too can accomplish anything.
Izzy L, Lily D, Amelia G
The meaning of Shabbat is appreciating your friends, family, and connecting with the world around you. During Shabbat, Camp Harlam becomes a sacred community where each of us has the opportunity to rejuvenate ourselves and one another. Throughout Shabbat, we take a break from the heavy work and other tasks we do – instead, we focus on making our community stronger.
During the week, we overcome challenges to find the meaning of Shabbat. We know that Shabbat means something different to each person. It can mean letting go of our past mistakes; and/or being able to feel safe within our Camp Harlam community. There is so much more to Shabbat than just these services.
My favorite part of Shabbat is getting ready for this special time, enjoying it with my friends. Shabbat at Camp Harlam allows all of us to reconnect with each other, again. What does Shabbat mean to you? Let’s celebrate together on this special day.
Zoey D, Mollie C
Camp is always noisy. No matter where you go, you cannot escape it. Even at night, you can hear the whispers of kids and the chirping of the crickets. Even at this intentionally quiet moment, noise still surrounds us. Whether it is the giggles of some campers or even the counselors “shushing” the kids, it’s impossible to get a full moment of silence. Try to take a moment and block the noises of Camp Harlam and take a deep breath and close your eyes. Silent Meditation is so important because you can now forget the bad moments of the past week- whether it is the camp drama; missing your family members, or whatever is on your minds – this is now a moment to make peace with your troubles. Silent Meditation also gives you a moment to pray. It is our hope you you too can have a moment of calm and peace.
Elodie F, Sam S, Sophia T, Annie S
The Mi Shebeirach is a blessing for healing. Healing can mean many different things such as physical healing, mental healing and emotional healing. Everyone is in need of healing at some point in their lives. Part of healing is seeing things in a new light. This gives us the strength to try something new like the different types of food, cleaning during Nikayon (cabin clean up time) when you are not used to doing so at home, or even going on the High Ropes course when you may be afraid.
No matter the difficulties you may be going through, we are here together as a community. We will find a way to lift each other up. Your wish for healing is not something that you need to go through alone.