Kineret Divrei T’filah

July 4th, 2025

INTRO/WELCOME – Rose, Eliza, Amielle, Rosie

 

Rose: Our middah for Kineret is Tiferet.  This represents finding inner beauty.  Throughout this week we have all experienced different ways of finding inner beauty.  

 

Rosie: Some ways we found inner beauty include doing activities that express ourselves. Inner beauty is inside all of us, but we need to do different things and find clues to what your inner beauty is.  

 

Eliza: We all found inner beauty last week when we had to have Shabbat in the Beit.  Even though we had to have Shabbat in a different place, we found beauty as we came together as a camp community.  

 

Amielle: I found inner beauty one day when it was cold and rainy.  We had instructional swim.  We jumped in even though it was cold.  I learned how to do my stroke better, and now I can swim much faster.  

 

Rose: We hope you find inner beauty every day at camp.

 

ALL: Shabbat Shalom.

 

Pre-Shema – Isla, Gabby, Rose K

 

I: The Shema Prayer is the time when everyone is called to listen together, everyone hearing the same words – unlike at bedtime, when everyone in the bunk is hyper and talking when they probably shouldn’t be –

 

ALL: Sorry counselors! 

 

R: We always listen when it comes to the Shema.  The Shema is about unity, coming together as one community.  

 

G: During the Shema, we believe that God’s words are worth listening to.  We really know that we belonged at camp when the counselors in Kineret 1 came up with the idea where every time we find a scary bug we name it after one of the letters in the word “team” – because we are all a team. 

 

R: The Shema teaches us that we have One God to listen to, one voice, with its beautiful Hebrew message.  

 

ALL: Na lakoom, please rise for the Shema.  

 

Pre-Barchu – Nolan, Brandon, Kaden, Nathan

 

Nolan: In Kineret we have to be ready to go to camp.  We have to pack the right clothes.  We also have to have the right mindset to leave our parents. 

 

Brandon: We come together during evening programs.  We hang out, do track and field night, and do other camp games.  

 

Kaden: We come to Shabbat every Friday night and Saturday morning.  We all stand for being Jewish and take pride in it.  

 

Nathan: Going into middle school, we have to be prepared for more things.  We have to wake up early in the morning, do more homework, remember locker combinations, and so on.  

 

ALL: Now we all come together and rise for the Bar’chu.

 

Prayer for Inclusion – Talia, Lilly, Dani, Dalia

 

DK, DS, LR: This is our 4th summer…

TG: And this is my second. Last year I didn’t know what to expect going to camp here. I was scared of not making friends and not being included. After talking to just one person named Eleanor on the bus, I knew this was my second home. I knew I was included.

DS: When I drove through the gates on my first day of camp Gesher was screaming “Welcome Home.” I didn’t know what they meant yet, until I was crying at the banquet, then I finally realized this is my second home.

DK: Hearing people scream “Welcome Home” is only one thing at camp that makes us feel included. Just coming together on Friday nights for services and song session connects our community in a way that’s so special that not only do I feel close with my friends but also everyone at camp.

LR: The quote “Friends become family” means that when you give kindness and joy to a person, even if you don’t know them, it gives them the feeling of inclusion. From inviting them to sit with you at meals, to being partners in camper time, they will always feel included by you. And you will always feel included by them.

All: We hope everyone feels included here at Camp Harlam, your second home!

Pre- Mi chamocha – Ari, Evan, Jacob, Jagger

 

Ari: Mi Chamocha describes freedom.  I have found freedom in my life in the independence I have at my house and even in this camp.  Such as the free periods and being able to bike around my house.  

 

Evan: Mi Chamocha also describes miracles.  When I got to camp, I was really scared and had no friends.  Until I met Jagger.  And miracles are making a new friend.  He helped make my experience of camp special. 

 

Jacob: Just like Evan, I had a special experience.  I was playing soccer, and I was on defense, but I ended up scoring a goal.  This reminded me of Mi Chamocha because I was happy and surprised– like the Israelites were when they crossed the Red Sea.  

 

Jagger: Once, at my school, I was playing football.  We were down by three Touchdowns and there were 10 minutes left.  I got an interception.  Then my two friends got interceptions, and then we won.  The Mi Chamocha helps all of us remember the miracles and freedom we all have. 

 

ALL: Please join us in the Mi Chamocha.

 

Pre- AMIDA – Sadie, Zipporah, Hannah, Poppy

 

Sadie: The Amida is about Legacy.  

 

Poppy: Both of my siblings went to camp, and one of them is in Galil.  My parents didn’t go to Harlam, but I hope to pass on the legacy to my kids.

 

Hannah: Camp has been so special for my family.  My brother is in Chavurah and definitely influenced me to come to camp.  As soon as he decided to skip a summer, he realized he belonged here.  I’m excited to pass my legacy down to generations.  

 

Sadie: My parents went to camp here, and love telling me and my brother stories of when they were campers, sharing their legacy.  And I can’t wait till I’m older and I’m able to share my stories with my own kids, when they go to camp, doing the same things my parents did with me and my brother.  

 

Zipporah: The first year that I went to camp, my mom who was also a camper here said that those were the best summers of her life.  Now I know what she meant by that.  I can’t wait for my kids to go here and experience the same things that I experience and have their own camp journeys.  

 

ALL: Na Lakoom- Please rise for the Amida.  

 

PEACE Reading (end of Amidah) – Eleanor, Ezra, Tali, & Hannah

 

Hannah: There are so many ways people find peace at camp.  One way I find peace is being with my friends.  

 

Tali: I felt peace when I came to camp this year.  I felt like I belonged and was finally returning to my home.  I find peace when I’m laughing or dancing with my friends at Shabbat or in general. 

 

Eleanor: I feel peace at camper free choice when I get to be with my friends and when I have fun at lodium or the swing.

 

Tali: Peace is not just a state of mind.  It can also mean feeling whole or complete.  

 

Hannah: Feeling whole and complete can just be a little moment in your life.  

 

Ezra: For me, I think being whole and complete means enjoying camp with my friends.

 

Eleanor: To me, feeling whole and complete means being present in the moment and always focusing on the positive.

 

ALL: We all feel peace in different ways.  Let’s all find wholeness together as we sing the prayer for peace. 

Havdalah – Dani, Dalia

 

DK: Even though it’s the 10th day, it feels like I’ve been here for months. As soon as we drove through the gates and I reconnected with my friends, it was like we never left.

DS: The middah for this week, Tiferet, means finding inner beauty. Camp helps me find my inner beauty.

DK: Tiferet isn’t just finding inner beauty.

DS: It’s also about figuring out who you are.

Both: This week, reflect on how you find your inner beauty and figure out who you are at camp.