The unit of Arava led our Saturday morning Shabbat services this week. Their theme was Rachamim or “acting with your heart.” Below are some of the words they shared.
By Stella, Maya, Olivia, and Lila: This week’s theme of rachamim is acting with your heart. Rachamim is shown in many ways at camp. One example is when we make sure everyone is included. Another example is checking in on your friends when they are not feeling their best. Rachamim is an important value because it shows people you care. It makes people know that they are supported and loved by the community around them.
By Liv, Maddie, and Chloe: The Barechu is a blessing that helps us to prepare to pray. Before Shabbat, we get ready both physically and mentally to be comfortable to pray. Using the Middah, rachamim, we act with our hearts to help our peers become just as comfortable as with being ready to pray. We can help our friends by picking out outfits, doing hair, getting in the right head space, and even more. We also use our hearts while we pray. We observe the way our peers pray and respect their traditions.
By Rafi, Joseph, Sammy, and Alex: As many of you know, the Shema is about our single God. Many people at camp know this by showing unity. Our spirit unites us as well. The spirit of unity is a key aspect of camp that compels us to come back summer after summer. I personally have had a tough few days, but not because of the activities or people, but because I broke my foot. I broke my foot and I have had to sit out of many things, but because of camp’s unifying spirit, along with my friend who show rachamim, that has kept me going and it has been fun. I like God, that’s why I come to camp, the people and how they show rachmim while they are here. I have already been to the mirpa’ah (health center) twice so far but my ruach keeps me going strong. My friend’s rachamim also kept me going. This is my first summer. I have already felt the amazing spirit in my bunk. I have also already had Jlife twice and I found it to be a unifying spirit.
By Emma and Jonah: This week’s Shabbat service is on the theme of rachamim or acting with your heart. Here at Camp Harlam, people show rachamim all the time. This includes helping out a new camper, helping people with their nikayon (cleaning) job, and even something as big as accepting people for who they are. These are only a few examples of rachamim at camp. But you might ask, “What can I do at home to show rachamim?” Well here are a few examples: helping the elderly, offering assistance with family and friends’ chores, and of course, always accepting people for who they are. Make sure you are always acting with your heart!
By Zoey, Talya, and Sadie: Yotzeir or is about moving from darkness to light each and every day. This prayer can relate to many people. When people are in dark times, there are others who can help them find the light in the situation. Rachamim means acting with your heart. When you see friends or family going through a hard time, you can act with your heart to them find the light. Have you ever had a friend who was missing home? You can be the one to help them see the light and joy that is camp and them through this challenge. When you act with your heart, you are not only helping one person but helping many because that person will spread it to other people and the cycle will continue. Try to find the light in all situations.
By Jeanine and Emily: Usually when I think of the Mi Chamocha, I think about Moses, Miriam, Aaron, and the Israelites crossing the sea with Miriam celebrating by signing the Mi Chamocha prayer. The Israelites followed their hearts and escaped the Egyptians as a team and celebrated their freedom by dancing and singing. We can celebrate by singing the Mi Chamocha together to celebrate us all being here at camp.
By Elijah, Noam, Ethan, and Josh: As you have heard, the theme of this week’s service is rachamim, which means acting with your heart. Another meaning of rachamim is acting with kindness. Acting with kindness is caring for your friends, helping people, and doing chores around the bunk. One time we showed kindness was when someone was looking to be part of a service writing group. Bringing that person into the group was a way to show kindness. Another time we showed kindness was when I made a new friend with someone who was all alone. There are always opportunities to be kind and act with your heart.