For six days you may perform melachah, but the seventh day is a complete Sabbath, holy to the L-RD … it is an eternal sign that in six days, the L-RD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed. -Exodus 31:15-17
Shabbat at camp is my absolute favorite. Every day of the week we are running from activity to activity and trying to fit in as much fun as humanly possible from when we wake up, to when we fall asleep. Now don’t get me wrong; that is still the case on Shabbat. Even on Shabbat, our days and nights are filled with fun activities, but it is noticeably different.
On Friday every unit has pool time together, rather than separated by age. On Friday nights we have Shira after dinner like every other night, but absolutely nothing like every other night. During Shabbat Shira we start with every single member of camp in a big circle swaying back and forth. Then as the songs become more and more energetic, our community does as well. I have never experienced something as powerful as the Camp Kalsman Community jumping up and down and singing at the top of their lungs during Shabbat Shira. And that’s just the beginning!! Following Shabbat Shira seamlessly is Rikudei Am, our Israeli Dancing (a personal favorite time of mine). Every Unit takes lead on one dance as well as many fun filled community dances. Not to mention classics like footloose and a future classic, Soulja Boy. The Kesher campers stay extra-long for a special private dance party and then it’s off to bed.
Breakfast is optional and pushed back an hour on Saturday to truly allow us to embrace the resting aspect of the Sabbath. The first real aspect of our Saturday schedule is morning T’filah where we read the Torah and hear a Shabbat Rap from our awesome CITs that explain our Torah portion of the week. We dance during the Mi Chamocha, sing songs, and chant prayers that we don’t do at any of our other T’filah services throughout the week. After services is a Brunch of delicious food that Pat and his Staff prepare of bagels & shmear, eggs, hash browns, noodle kugel, and so much more. At Brunch the Campers and Staff have the opportunity to sit ANYWHERE in the Chadar Ochel, rather than with their cabins.
In the afternoon are Chofesh (freedom) blocks that let the Campers choose their activity from lanyard bracelets in the quad to climbing the awesome alpine tower. Not to mention an ice cream snack in the middle and a BBQ dinner at night. Wrapping up the evening with Havdallah and an all camp campfire helps us conclude our awesome Shabbat and get ready for the next week where we return to running from activity to activity and trying to fit in as much fun as humanly possible.
The little aspects like these are what set our Shabbat apart from the rest of the week. Performing similar ritual aspects of a Kalsman day but in a completely different light is what makes me appreciate this day so much. At Camp, we tend to lose track of time and what day is which but, when Shabbat starts, everyone is realigned with each other’s schedules. We are all brought together and reminded why we’re here. Shabbat keeps me on track and reminds me of the awesome community I am blessed to be a part of. I am appreciative of everyday I get to spend at URJ Camp Kalsman, and I am especially thankful for the Shabbatot.
Zoie Utterback, Art Room Supervisor.
