If you’ve ever been here for a Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat service, you’ve heard those familiar words declared by the great Rabbi Richie. The whistling over the willows, the buzzing over the bows, hissing through the hollows, bumbling over the benches, susurrating through the songs, reverberating among the redwoods, echoing off the elms, tremoring across the trees, singing the words of Zablocki we all know and love: bum bum bum bum good Shabbos! Bum bum bum bum good Shabbos! Bum Bum Bum bum bumbum, bum bum bum bum bum bum good Shabbos!
Hark! Those familiar words not only apply to Shabbos this week, but also the annual song festival Zimriyah! After pouring their hearts into preparing for the camp-wide competition, Kerem had so much fun singing their Shir Chasidi, Shir Yisraeli and Shira Aydah, which was to the tune of Africa by Toto. Everyone had so much ruach throughout one of Yavneh’s very special nights, and we ended the night with smiles and tears of joy as Bil announced that Kerem had won first place in both Shir Chasidi and Shir Aydah on the way to a tie for first place overall! Yay! Wow! Yippee! Sick! Dope! Mazel Tov! We then celebrated with a barbeque where the aydah shared moments of pride and joy with one another. As one chanich said, “That was awesome!” Couldn’t have said it better myself.
After Zim, we had a restful Shabbat where Matt Wallensky and Xander Bein led camp in a beautiful Kabbalat Shabbat. Each impressive note sung by Matt and Xander was met with psshhs and snaps by all of Kerem to show support for their friends in their aydah. There was a clear sense of unity among the aydah throughout this week.
For trip day this week, we woke up bright and early to drive to Taunton for a 9 AM 5K walk/run to benefit ARC. Kerem is continuing to fundraise until the end of the summer for this great cause, more of which can be read about here: https://www.gofundme.com/kerem-2018-chesed?member=397590.
After Xander won the entire race in a time of 17:31 and Kerem rejoiced in celebration, we went to Hillel Schwartz’s house where we were welcomed with warm hospitality, food and a pool by Ari and Ruth Schwartz.
As first session comes to a close, Kerem has already experienced so much. They’ve grown every day. They’ve had meaningful conversations that have moved them to think differently. They are learning how to be true leaders. And they are already having incredible summers that they will remember for a long time.
B’ahava,
Kerem Tzevet