A Day of Remembrance… A Day of Hope

It’s been a busy few days here at Camp Kadimah! We have now entered the home stretch here at Kadimah. With the sun finally sticking around for more than a few hours, the swim docks, along with the ski, sail and canoe docks, have been lively with campers and staff looking for a way to enjoy the weather and their last couple weeks at Kadimah. It’s truly been a trying summer for everyone but now we can all come together and realize that the worst is truly behind us and through all the moving around, quarentine cabins and calls home, we’ve made it through the other side where the grass is truly greener.

 

We look forward to using these next couple weeks to remind everyone what camp is suppose to be like – laughing with your friends, making memories, getting some sun and not believing how fast the time flies… Before we know it, we will find ourselves standing on the main sports field watching as the 2009 sign burns, teary-eyed as we count down the days before we are re-united with our friends at our second home.

 

In the meantime, packages full of love have been coming into the office literally by the truck-load… Some small, some average and some that could house a small family… It’s given me a great opportunity to brush up on my knowledge of the Alphabet and I think I am well versed in the sectional location of every child in camp.

 

A typical Monday of me sorting mail and packages...

 

 

Today, however, the camp is observing Tisha B’Av. A day of reflection and mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples, The Spanish Inquisition and other tragedies in our past that occurred on this day, the ninth day of the month Av in the Hebrew calendar.

Last night, the entire camp watched the Tisha B’Av opening ceremonies where general staff and senior staff performed songs, dances and emotional skits in an effort to portray the somber tone of the day. This morning, all sections participated in their camper choice activities that have been re-focused to reflect the lessons of this tragic day. Tonight, the camp will be privy to Tisha B’Av closing ceremonies – a program that will instill the mood of the day but will also celebrate how far we have come despite the many efforts of others.

 

Tomorrow will lift our spirits as we celebrate Israel Day! (Shhhh… the campers don’t know yet!)

The campers will wake up to lively Israeli music and a plethora of Israeli flags dispersed around camp! There will be a carnival complete with booths run by our very own senior specialists! Everything from smoothie making to a marriage booth – it promises to be yet another amazing day – all thanks to our incredible Judaic Programmers Rebecca Silverhart and Nufar Levy. They’ve worked tirelessly to make sure these two days of intense programming are both informative and fun!

 

Well, we shall see what the next few days bring!

 

Stay tuned for more updates from Lake William!