Friday morning started with an early wake up so that we could begin the dedication service for the Torah being dedicated at camp in honor of Debbie Sussman. Everyone stood in a line from the Beit Midrash to Gilboa, our outdoor amphitheater, and passed the Torah from person to person while מדריכים held a חופה over it. Once everyone had held the Torah, we davened in Gilboa with the help of Micah Shapiro, a Yavneh alum who is currently in rabbinical school and helped lead the service. He had a group of Arayot, Leviim and Kerem חניכים help him sing הלל (service specific to Rosh Chodesh and other celebratory occasions).
Shabbat began with a beautiful Kabbalat Shabbat service outdoors at Gilboa. After tefillot, we ate a delicious dinner cooked for us by Yavneh Food Services that included soup, chicken, rice, and an amazing salad bar! The next day, after a rainy morning, the sun came out for the afternoon just in time for us to have a very restful Shabbat. Because of Tisha B’av next week, Saturday night brought our last Havdallah of the summer with the regular music and רוח.
Yesterday we had a delicious bagel breakfast followed by a regular morning. In the afternoon, the second month campers learned to meltz (help wait and serve the tables); this coming week will be their first time meltzing as part of upper camp! This week we’re looking forward to a very fun all-camp surprise to come later in the week!