SHARON DIVREI T’FILAH
July 11th, 2025
Opening Reading – Chloe, Zoe, Emilie, Maya, and Louise
All: Shabbat Sharon
Zoe: Our middah is Bitachon Atzmi which means confidence and independence
Emilie: This is my first year at Camp Harlam and when I was arriving I was not confident that I would make friends, but after I met my first friend on the bus, I was super confident I would make lots of friends.
Maya: When our group was going to climb the tower, I was feeling nervous because I had never done anything like that before, but I used my confidence and made it to the top.
Louise: When my bunk was going to the treehouse, we thought we would be eaten alive by bugs. We sprayed a lot of bug spray and then felt confident the bugs wouldn’t get us.
Zoe: Last year, I broke my finger and had to go home from camp. In that time it was hard for me to do simple things, but I stayed independent and did everything I could.
Chloe: You can even show Bitachon Atzmi in the small things like getting ready on time or getting in the freezing pool at instructional swim.
All: We hope you all find a way to show Bitzachon Atzmi during the rest of your time at camp!
Before Mi Chamocha – Lillian Rose, Nora, Rylie, and Dani
LR: The Mi Chamocha celebrates freedom, independence, and miracles.
Nora: The privilege of being at camp is a form of freedom.
Rylie: Camper free choice made me feel like I was free to do what I want and that was like a miracle for me.
Dani: I felt freedom when I ate a brownie for breakfast.
LR: Climbing the tower felt like I had true confidence in myself and it was a miracle.
Nora: This is my first summer at camp and I have been blessed with the miracle of new friends.
Dani: True freedom gives you the opportunity to be confident.
All: Please join us in the Mi Chamocha
Before Barchu – Bailey, Alex, and Jacob
Bailey: Bitachon Atzmi is related to the Barchu because you feel better and more confident when you are prepared and ready for the rest of the day. For example, you might be happier in Adventure wearing closed toed shoes and holding a water bottle than flip flops and no water.
Alex: Or when you’re at free swim and you have a bathing suit rather than not having a bathing suit. If you swim in your normal clothes, it would feel heavy and be hard to swim, so you might feel embarrassed instead of confident.
Jacob: Another example is during meals. Say if it’s yellow meal and you don’t have a plate or utensils, your food wouldn’t have anywhere to go without being spread all over the place. Your mashed potatoes would get everywhere and you would be sad and hungry instead of happy and full.
Alex: Being ready and prepared helps us feel confident in ourselves.
Jacob: It gives us bitachon atzmi.
All: Please rise for the Barchu.
Before the Shema – Hannah, Zoe, Jordyn, Jaye
All: SHHHHHHH
Zoe: The shema is all about listening to g-d’s voice.
Jordyn: While listening to the joyful prayer, I feel fuller as a Jewish person and proud to be Jewish.
Jaye: Believing in g-d and yourself is an important part of being in the Jewish community.
Hannah: Being in this camp community has given us perspective on our Jewish identities.
All: As we begin to chant the Shema, start to listen to the world around you. Please rise for the shema.
Before Amidah – Ethan, Ari, Sammy, Jack
Jack: The Amidah is full of different things to think about like independence, confidence, and legacy.
Ethan: I feel confident when I’m climbing the rock wall.
Ari: I felt independent my first year coming to camp.
Jack: I felt independent last year when I went double session, just like our ancestors.
Sammy: I felt confident at the lodium.
Ari: The amidah is about legacy, and when I came through the gates, I was continuing the legacy.
Ethan: The amidah is also about community, and I feel like a part of a community when my friends support me at adventure.
Sammy: I also felt confident when I climbed the tower.
All: Please rise for the Amidah.