Pre-Yism’chu: Liv, Emma, Charlotte, Addy, Sam

Sam: As Chavurah campers, we know that our time at camp is coming to an end. 

Emma: Which means that we have to cherish every moment, especially Shabbat.

Liv: Shabbat means coming together as a community to reflect on our past week and prepare for the next one.

Charlotte: Shabbat gives us the chance to rest from our busy day-to-day schedule.

Addy: Yism’chu encourages us to find joy in Shabbat and to cherish the moments.

Sam: Whether it’s banging on tables at song session, or relaxing in your bunk.

Emma: Because before you know it, it’ll be your last Rak Dan…

Liv: Last color war…

Charlotte: Last trip day…

Addy: and your last Shabbat.

Sam: With it being our last summer as campers, these are the moments we value the most.

Emma: We hope you can find joy this Shabbat.

All: Please join us in Yism’chu.

Pre-Amidah: Madden, Chase, Jackson, Jack, Zach

Jack: The Amidah is about legacy, connection, and community.

Zach: Many of us have been able to carry out the legacy from our parents before us.

Jackson: Not only have our past generations been at camp, but our siblings and future kids will continue to be here after we leave

Jack: A good example of legacy is the numerous signatures throughout all of the Chavurah village.

Chase: Another part of the Amidah is being an individual within a community.

Madden: As the oldest campers, we are given a large amount of responsibility as role models in our community.

Chase: When we say the Amidah, we remember both the personal connection to camp and how the Amidah reflects that.

Jack: Wait, who’s AH?

Madden and Zach: Me

Chase and Jackson: Dah!

All: Na Lakum for the Amidah.

Pre-Yotzeir Or: Julia, Marissa, Samara, Soleil, Gabby

J: Yotzeir Or is all about finding and creating light.

M: Light can be found in many places around camp. Every time we have lost power this session, the lack of physical light has been more than made up by the spiritual light we have found. 

G: Saying Yotzeir Or twice, once slowly and once fast, represents night and day. Some things can only be done at camp during the day like swimming, while other things can only be done at night. Evening is when we slow down and rest ourselves. The lights from the stars and campfires settle us as we prepare for bed and the next day.

S: When Chavurah got our buddies, we all found a spark of joy in the energy and creativity they brought to us and our village. From playing tag, making smores, and connecting throughout the whole session, we all found light in our buddies. And we hope that as they continue on their journey both at camp and in the outside world, they share that joy and light with everyone they meet.

SF: From the glow of the lights that light up the way to the village, to the stars in the sky as we lay on the basketball court at midnight, being in Chavurah really illuminates a new side of camp. As the oldest unit, we have more responsibility, like being role models for younger units, but also more privileges like greentime and our own space at camp.

J: All these examples have been about how we have found light at camp, but they weren’t random. All these moments have happened because of the time, energy, and love we have shared with each other during our time here. So to everyone here, from first-year campers to those going into their last year in this magical place, spread as much light and joy as you can, as the ancient wisdom on our bathroom stall says “you get as much out of camp as you put in.”

All: Please join us in Yotzeir Or.

Pre-Barchu: Sam, Zeke, Blaise, Dylan, Mark

Sam: As we sit here writing our d’var t’filah, there are currently four of us crammed on the top of a bunk bed.

Blaise: Although it may not seem like it, this is a perfect example of the sense of community we create in Chavurah.

Mark: From Green Time to rafting to making countless memories, we have demonstrated the meaning of the Bar’chu by coming together as a unit.

Zeke: As our last first session comes to a close, we look back at all these memories and realize that throughout the years we have come together in numerous different ways.

Dylan: What’s your name?

Mark: Who. I go to school because I’m cool.

Blaise: That’s a Bar, Who.

Everyone: Na Lakum, Please Rise for the Bar’chu.

Pre-Mi Chamocha: Maya, Alyssa, Sophie, Lucy, Emily

Everyone: Dear our Carmel buddies,

Lucy: Just as the Mi Chamocha mentions freedom, as your years at camp fly by you’ll gain freedom too.

Emily: As you grow up, some of the camp magic grows, but some gets left behind.

Maya: You may never realize the last time you jump in the middle of the circle for Siyyum.

Alyssa: You may never realize the last Milk Squad cookie you eat at the Machsan.

Sophie: You may never realize the last time you see Ellie’s tutu at S’morning.

Everyone: But every ending has a new beginning with new freedoms to offer.

Lucy: You will realize the first time you jump in the mosh pit at Rak Dan.

Emily: You will realize when Milk Squad turns into bonding in the villages during Brown Time and Green Time.

Maya: You will realize how much time has flown by and keep on wishing for more.

Alyssa: So, to our Carmel buddies, don’t take your time for granted and…

Everyone: No RAHgrets!!!

Alyssa: XOXO, your Rah buddies.

Sophie: Please join us in Mi Chamocha as we reflect on the many freedoms and miracles camp has gifted us.

Opening Reading: Nat, Tyler, Leo, Mike, Dylan

Tyler: This year in Chavurah, we were each given a chance to choose our own middah to focus on for the session.

Dylan: This set the tone for the level of responsibility we would have this summer at camp.

Nat: The first middah we chose was Binah, Seeking Meaning. We showed this middah by inspiring the younger generation through our Carmel buddies.

Leo: Additionally, we chose Nitzachon, Pushing Through a Challenge. This session we faced several complications due to weather, but we managed to move forward and still have a great summer.

Mike: Finally, we chose Bitachon Atzmi, Confidence and Independence. This year in Chavurah, we have the most independence by being able to roam about the village. This built confidence and showed us we are on our way to being young adults.

Dylan: By being able to choose our own middot, we are able to focus on specific aspects of ourselves, helping us to become more rounded individuals.

Everyone: Shabbat Shalom!

Pre-Silent Prayer: Victoria, Abby, Sam, Alice, Mollie

Victoria: As our time as campers comes to an end, we want to reflect on the camp memories that have shaped us into the people we are today.

Mollie: Our past years have shown us how to be good role models, embrace our Judaism, and learn to cherish every moment like it’s our last.

Alice: The silent prayer helps us look back on the week we had and think about how to make the next one better.

Sam: At camp there aren’t many moments to sit quietly and think to yourself. That’s why it is important to take a pause and think about all your unique camp experiences.

Abby: Even though we are all such close friends, all of our experiences differ from each other. Whether it’s color war, song session, or rak dan, we all live those memorable moments from different perspectives.

All: As we pray silently, we invite you to think about the moments that have brought you joy throughout the session.