The unit of Carmel led our Friday night Shabbat services last week. Their theme was Simchah or finding joy. Below are some of the words they shared.
By Eliza and Ezra: Simchah means finding joy. Maybe it’s the lake or having free swim. Maybe it’s going on the swing at adventure or doing tie-dye at Omanut (Art) or maybe it’s hanging out with your bunkmates or maybe it’s hanging out with your Chavurah buddies. So when you are back at home and missing camp, just remember all the times you found Simchah. Whatever it is, you’ll always find Simchah in something. Shabbat shalom!
By Sammy and Asher: The first day I came to camp, I was scared to come. But I knew my friends were there to help me. I managed to do it and I was so proud of myself. That’s what finding joy means to me. Finding joy means many things, like figuring out how to play a game. It can also mean making friends. When I first came to camp, I was scared. But I found joy because I made friends. That’s what joy means to me.
By Rachel: Shalom Rav is a prayer about peace. Shalom Rav is a prayer that’s calm and relaxing. For you, it may be something else.
It makes me feel at peace with camp, as the song is about peace. Shalom Rav is important because without peace, there would only be fighting, so we must thank God for giving us peace.
By Charlotte: A way that I find joy is when my friends are all around me. For example, when I’m getting ready for bed, I’m never doing it alone. My friends are always with me and keeping me company. Even during flashlight time, my friends and I are communicating with our hands. We all make sure that none of us feels left out or alone. As the prayer reminds us of bringing on the evening, please join us in the Maariv Aravim.
By Georgie: I am going to talk about freedom. At camper free choice, I feel very free because I don’t have scheduled things, and I can just go around and hang out with my friends, maybe go to the lake or adventure or Omanut. I can’t really do that on a regular day or at home. So when I go to camper free choice, I feel very free. As we sing Mi Chamocha, just think that you are always free wherever you are.
By Caleb and Noah: When we found out that our middah was Simchah, finding joy, we immediately thought of love. When I think of Simchah, I think of love that’s being shared all around the world. When I think about Simchah, I picture this little opening that we all experience, and right through the opening is a world of love. When I think of Simchah, I think of being with someone I care about. Simchah is also following your passion and sometimes that means love. So during Ahavat Olam and when you get home, we challenge you not just to think about Simchah, but to make Simchah real.
By Natalia, Mateo, and Adam: I feel joyful when I walk into my bunk and meet my new bunkmates. I feel joy when I am with my friends. I feel joyful when I am at camp. At camp, I see my friends and have fun. I feel joyful when I am with my family and friends. I feel joyful when I do team sports. I feel joyful when it is quiet. When it is quiet, it is peaceful and I can think about anything.
By Sadie and Molly: Today’s theme is Simchah, finding joy. One way I found joy was when I had free swim and didn’t have any towels left. My friend offered me one, and I was happy that people shared with me. One way I found joy was on the first day of camp, my friend helped me meet more people and know the camp better. That made me feel lots of joy! Even when there’s no one to support you, try to support others. Whoever you’re with, or wherever you are, you can always find joy.