Dear Capital Camps Community,
Establishing the Jewish connection to Israel and bringing Israel to life beyond just news headlines is a huge priority for Capital Camps. Each morning, we begin the day with Hatikvah and the Hebrew word or phrase of the day. Hebrew language is such a powerful tool to unlock the beauty of Israeli culture and society. Our Israeli sh’lichim (staff and emissaries from Israel) are fully immersed in every aspect of camp life, as madrichim (bunk counselors) to program specialists, and are teaching our hanichim (campers) the coolest Hebrew phrases and slang. For example, just the other night Yalla campers learned games, songs, and skills from the Tzophim, Israeli Scouts.
This year, we’ve designed an Israel Adventure Week that will give campers an interactive connection to the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feels of 3,500 years of history. Beginning with a life-size map program, hanichim will travel through time and changing borders from Abraham to Moses to modern political dynamics. Then, we will have the opportunity to be like Elizer Ben-Yehuda and invent our own modern Hebrew language. Next, building upon our connection to Hebrew language and history we will explore the ancient and modern connection of poetry, prayer, and music, from King David’s Psalms to Eurovision’s champions to Israel’s chart-topping hits. Our next adventure stop is everyone’s favorite: OCHEL! (FOOD!) No Israel experience or Jewish event is complete without food. Our campers will get to make the famous Sabich sandwich from scratch at the farm – chopping their own vegetables to make Israeli salad, frying their own chatzilim (eggplant), and most importantly making pita from scratch in the farm pizza oven! Now that we’ve established a historic connection to the land, language, and legacy, campers will travel with their Early Zionism Passports to meet luminaries of Zionist ideology as it was forming at the end of the 19th century. Finally, to bring it all together hanichim will be able to ask us any questions on their mind – no question is off limits!
These few weeks at camp provide a beautiful opportunity for our hanichim to celebrate and cheer their Judaism and connection to Israel. From Israeli dancing to Shabbat song sessions, Judaism’s rich tapestry of ideas, practices, and traditions are in full bloom at Capital Camps.
Thank you,
Adam