"Shabbos In Camp Simcha Is Gevaldik!"

Our last shabbos together in Camp Simcha has come to an end and we truly were all saddened to see it go. Friday night, the camp gathered together for Kabbalas Shabbos and the beautiful singing continued throughout the rest of shabbos and deep into the night, long after shabbos ended. Inspiring Divrei Torah were given and the ruach was stronger than ever before. Our shabbos choir was even more spectacular than ordinary. Solos by Noa, Eden, Shaina, Mashy, Gali, Sorelle, Efrat, Miriam, Yehudis, Sarala and the rest of our singers were unbelievably stunning. A beautiful melody was song by our staff and Chumi West astounded us all with the songs she composed, including a "goodbye" song. Everyone held on to shabbos as long as they could, not wanting the last day of camp to arrive. "We don't wanna go home" was chanted throughout the room. Despite all of our camp-ending blues, it ain't over 'til it's over...looking forward to our last day together, full of more excitement and more memories to take home with us!

Shavua Tov!

Our first shabbos in camp is already behind us and what a wonderful one it was! After a beautiful Kabbalas Shabbos Friday night, everyone made their way into the dining room, holding hands and singing for our first shabbos meal. Beautiful zemiros and abundant energy filled the dining room throughout the meal. Our ever lively Israeli bunch of staff and campers continue to add their own special ruach to the camp with all their song and cheer! As the dining room quieted down, we were privileged to hear beautiful Divrei Torah from a few of our awe-inspiring campers, followed by dessert and benching. As our younger campers made their way into bed, an oneg shabbos was held for our teen campers and staff members, complete with delicious cholent, more nosh and words of wisdom from our camp's esteemed Rabbi Scholar. As the hours grew late, those still left awake began to retire for the night in anticipation for the event-filled shabbos day that was to come.

Shabbos morning began with an early breakfast for those awake early, followed by a delicious late morning kiddush for the entire camp. Everyone then went off to their various learning groups before returning to the dining room for our shabbos seudah. Following lunch, more singing and Divrei Torah, everyone gathered around the stage for the anticipated weekly shabbos skit. Our staff members and campers as usual put on a comical show that the audience greatly enjoyed watching. After the performance, many went off to play bingo in the canteen where snacks and prizes awaited, while others went on walks around camp with their friends or went to go rest in their bunkhouse.

As the end of the relaxing day neared, we went to shalosh seudos where we ate more yummy food (along with ice cream for dessert!) and heard the beautiful voices of all the many different and talented campers that made up our shabbos choir, headed by our very devoted Aviva Honikman. Havdallah followed with more song and everyone wishing that our wonderful shabbos didn't have to end just yet. Motzei Shabbos began as music and dancing broke out in the dining room and Melava Malka was set up. The energy was contagious as everyone sang and danced their hearts out, eager for the start of another fun-filled week!

Simcha Welcomes a New Week!

Gut Vuch!

We ask for a week of joy and success, a week of health and happiness. . .

These are the words we chant together as we say goodbye to the week that's past and welcome in the days ahead.

A few words now about what's happened. Today, we enjoyed many Shabbos activities. Shabbos play with Mrs. K., choir with our talented speakers, inspirational talks by our campers, Bingo, Storytelling, canteen. Now about that canteen. As a part-time canteen staffer, I see candy consumption from the other side of the window. Let's just say that our campers know good nosh when they see it. :) But moving right along, the Shabbos afternoon at camp is an experience that many campers look forward to all year long.

As much as we go into Shabbos with singing, we come out of it with even more musical celebretion. Lively dancing and a buffet (melave malka) usher in the new week with an upbeat tempo. Tonight, Miri Greenberg, an exceptionally talented staff member, and the person behind CSS's recording studio, led a concert. She also taught us a new song and we all joined in for a wonderful night.

Check back in the morning for more updates.

TGIF in Camp Simcha

The end of a week is here again and we can hardly believe it. Friday was a packed day with two shows. Now campers are finishing up their projects in open workshops. I drifted from activity to activity, always stopping to get my hands dirty.

I particularly spent time at Roofy Roofy where I helped cut up chunks of freshly-made sheets of wax into chunks. I'll admit the lush pink and green chunks looked and smelled like dried fruit or candy and I had to resist popping them into my mouth for a treat. Kylie was also helping out and she says she's made over thirty candles already. After making the chunks, we peeled wax candles out of their molds. The flowers and geometric shapes and beautiful multi-color candles will keep sweet memories burning in our hearts for a long time.

At scrapbooking, many campers were busy working on their calendars. With all the colorful paper and accessories, I wanted to make one for myself. Maybe when I get home, I'll put out an unfinished scrapbook from under my bed.

It's getting late in the afternoon and camp is preparing for shabbos. We're putting our hair into our best headbands from the Ribbons and Bows workshop and dressing in our prettiest outfits. Soon we'll welcome shabbos in song and eat a special meal. The singing is a highlight of the evening, with campers and staff complementing each other in reciprocal songs. Many campers are given the chance to be the leader of the group, donning the special "singing shtreimel."

Tonight, after the meal, we'll have a special Shabbos party (oneg) and spend time engaging in "Deep Meaningful Conversation." Many campers also enjoy shabbos walks with their counselors or rotators or friends. There's something magical about walking between the shade of the trees enlightened by the moon and crisp summer breeze.

This is Leah, and I'm signing off, until tomorrow night.

It's Time to Say Good Shabbos

Another week's gone by, become a memory . . .

Camp is preparing for Shabbos. Kabalas Shabbos is in less than ten minutes. After that we'll have seudas shabbos and zemiros. Tomorrow morning after davening is the kiddush in honor of the baby shower and then after seudas shabbos, we'll have special learning groups and a shabbos play.

We'll be back here after Shabbos with updates from the weekend.