Shabbat Shalom Camp Judaea!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH WEEK 2 HIGHLIGHTS (Second Session) ON CJ NEWS

The 2nd week of Second Session has flown by with amazing spirit and kavanah! We started the week saying goodbye to our Kesher campers as they left for NYC and to Chalutzim as they left for Outward Bound in Pisgah National Forest. Our Bogrim eda had a blast participating in “Yom Sports” (an inter-camp athletic competition with Camp Ramah and Camp Coleman) and our Tsofim eda enjoyed competing in “CampStock” (an intercamp camp competition with Camps Rockmont, Hollymont, Highlander and Blue Star). In the middle of the week, our Offarim, Oranim and Sayarim campers ventured out to Emerald Village, the WNC Nature Center and Chimney Rock before heading to Pisgah National Forest for an overnight campout in an old growth forest at the base of Mt. Mitchell.  All three edot took a short hike to a gorgeous waterfall.  Meanwhile, Rishonim had the time of their lives at Tweetsie Railrood while Tsofim and and Bogrim had a great time at Carowinds Amusement Park.   On Thursday we said farewell to our Rishonim campers till next year.  Here are updates from each eda:

Rishonim:

The kids have left only 24 hours ago but we are already missing their hilarious and joyful presence at camp. This past week was full of excitement—Tweetsie Railroad Amusement Park, Rishi Bikkurim (Bikkur-ish), “Rishi Take-Over”, and an incredible Shabbat spent as an eda. I don’t doubt that all your children are very tired…but more importantly, very happy. We can’t wait to see you all next summer!

Shabbat Shalom,

Isabelle Morris

Offarim:

This week was a great success—full of joy, friendships, and new experiences. The staff and I prepared educational peulot where we reenacted making aliyah to Israel by taking the campers on a “flight” around the major parts of Israel including the Negev, the Dead Sea, the Golan Heights. We also learned about the difference between the old and new cities in Israel. Our day trip to Emerald Village (gem mining) and our overnight camping trip were a hit! The campers were so thrilled to bring home the gems they found and enjoyed a nice hike to a waterfall on the overnight. After meeting and bowling with their BOs last week, the campers are so happy to have a friend in Bogrim looking out for them and teaching them all of the traditions at CJ. We are so excited for all the activities we have planned this coming week.

Have a peaceful and restful Shabbat,
Cyleena Rodriguez

Oranim:

We are so excited to welcome this relaxing shabbat after a full week of exciting adventures. We enjoyed such a variety of activities a bonfire, a dance party, and learning about Lag B’Omer and Tu B’Shvat. To twist up the week, we took a trip to the Western North Carolina Nature Center and watched animal shows as well as petting some fluffy sheep and seeing big black bears. Later, we drove to a campsite where we cooked hotdogs, hamburgers and poyke.  We took a nature walk by the creek, and made some s’mores while telling traditional camp stories. The Oranim campers had so many bonding moments this week and are loving camp more and more with each day.  

Shabbat Shalom,

Amanda Shames

Sayarim: 

We’ve had a magical week filled with new adventures and lots of ruach. We learned about different Zionist leaders through a special Israel Dating game and participated in a traditional Israel Birthday celebration. Before our overnight, we hiked the beautiful Chimney Rock and saw a very special animal show with tons of bugs, hedgehogs, and snakes! When we got to the campsite, we learned how to build tents, set up a campfire, and even played underneath a spectacular waterfall. We spent the night eating amazing food and telling stories around the campfire with the aid of our lantern art projects (check out our pictures online). We’re so excited to be leading Kabbalat Shabbat tonight and bringing in this Shabbat with our CJ family, 

Shabbat Shalom,

Rachel Cohen

Tsofim:

Our second week at camp was a bit wetter than the first but so much fun nonetheless.  This week we learned about Israeli music, began constructing our service project (an awesome firepit), and left camp for an exciting trip to Carowinds. We also competed in CampStock Day and won the Archery and Swimming competitions! We are all having a great time here and are looking forward to what next week has in store for us!

Shabbat shalom,

Sam Morse

Kesher:

Huzzah! The conquering kesher eda has returned from an amazing trip in NYC! We had an incredible time seeing the sights such as the top of the Rockefeller Center and the famous Natural History Museum. We even saw the Broadway hit show, “Newsies!” We’ve explored the concrete jungle and returned with tales of awesome experiences. Tonight we are very happy to be back at camp for a very relaxing and much needed Shabbat. With only a week and a half left, we have so much left to do and so much more to learn! We hope you have an amazing Shabbat back at home.

Shabbat Shalom,
Eddy Allen

Bogrim:

Shabbat shalom from Bogrim! This week was full of special Bogie events! To start out the week, we traveled to Rabun Gap, Georgia to participate in an intercamp sports day with Camp Coleman and Camp Ramah Darom. We met other Jewish teens and shared tons of CJ ruach and customs. Following Yom Sport, Bogrim put on their very own Hatzagah (theatrical production) for the rest of camp! Lastly, Bogrim spent a fun-filled day enjoying the splendors of Carowinds theme park! In the coming week, we are looking forward to an incredible Bogie carnival and an awesome overnight! 

Shabbat Shalom,

Sarah Fine 

As we move into the 3^rd full week of camp, we look back upon everything we have been able to accomplish and look forward upon everything we still wish to do. When we light the candles tonight, we will think of all of our family and friends in camp, at home, and in Israel fighting for peace.

Shabbat Shalom!