This Shabbat, Bonim led services. Lower Bonim led Friday evening services while Upper Bonim led Saturday morning services. The theme for Friday night was Savlanut, or patience and the theme Saturday morning was how our actions make a difference. Saturday was a very special Shabbat because it was Alumni Day and Olim ’14 also returned for the day. It was great to see campers and staff, past and present, participating in services. We would like to share Bonim’s moving words with you.

Friday Evening 

Ben R.J., Max L., Will S., Bunk LVW
Ben: The Ma-ariv Ar-a-vim teaches us about the changes from night to day. In the Jewish Calendar, a new day starts at sundown.
Max: This applies to Savlanut because you need patience to transition from Day to night because sometimes it feels like a really long time.
Will: It also applies to us – we need patience to wait ten months for two – to come back to camp!

Zoe G. and Liv S., Bunk 8
Zoe: We all make such great friends at camp.
Liv: The 11 months we wait for our 3 weeks at camp takes of lot of savlanut, patience.
Z: The next prayer Michamocha is the song the Jews sang while crossing the Red Sea.
L: It says there is no one like God, and thanks God for helping them accomplish something great.
Z: This miracle took a lot of patience from the Jews.
L: First, for God to split the sea, then the journey across the sea.
Z: Michamocha connects to our relationship because when we accomplish something together we can thank God.
L: Just like the Jews did back then, we stick together at CLC and wait for the next summer to come.

Shoshana H., Bunk 8
As we are about to say Modim – think about things you are thankful for. I know that I am thankful for this place and for all of my friends that are here. Every year, I wait and wait for my chance to return home. Let me say, I have not always been the most patient person. Nevertheless, every moment I wait, the more thankful I become for my chance to be a part of a community that is tighter than a friendship bracelet.

Aliza C., Bunk 8
Shalom Rav is a prayer for peace. When you live with people for a long time and are always with them, there is not always peace. But if you have Savlanut, or patience, you can help that. By having patience with your friends and your bunkmates, you can have peace not only for yourself but for your friends. While you are singing Shalom Rav – think not only about how God can grant peace, but also about how you can to.

Saturday Morning

Noah and Gus, Bunk 21
N: Elohai Nishama is all about how God gave each and every one of us a soul to live.
G: One way that Noah and I use our soul is by giving to people that are less fortunate than us.
N: The theme of the service is how our actions make a difference, and affect the world because God gave us should to make and impact and help the world.
G: Think about how you can use your soul in the best way.

Maya K. and Jamie R., Bunk 2
M: The next prayer Mi Chamocha is the prayer that the Israelites sang as they crossed the Red Sea.
J: God helped the Jews throughout their journey.
M: During this past year, I donated my hair to a child that was sick.
J: This is an example of how we can help people throughout the world.
M: There are a lot of other ways that you can repair the world.
J: It is easy for us to help because we are free.
M: You should help people that aren’t free or are sick.
J: Let’s help repair the world.

Alex G. and Keegan H., Bunk 21
A: The theme of today’s service is our actions have reactions. We thought that like the Jewish value, v’ah- ha- vatcha, l’ray-echa, Ki-mocha, you reap what you sow, or the golden rule. What comes around goes around. In other words, if you are nice to someone then they should be nice to you or visa versa.
K: In the v’ahavta, it says praise God with all your might and sole. This is a good motto for life because you should always try your hardest in everything you do. When you put effort into your actions, them the reaction will usually be a positive one. We hope you will stop to consider this, during this last week of camp, and when you return home too.

Mia M. and Tori L., Bunk 2 and 4 
T: Many people in our CLC community have taken actions to make a difference.
M: One of my most meaningful experiences at camp was donating money to the organization “everything starts with One”. This group, started by the family of Tyler Long, works to educate people about the harmful and dangerous consequences of bullying.
T: One of my most meaningful expressions was helping to feed homeless at Hebrew School.
M: To help create Peace, as this prayer suggests, think about how can take action by helping at a soup kitchen or making a donation. Now, its your turn.
T: The next prayer is Sim Shalom. This prayer is about Peace. We are all doing different projects for our bat mitzvah’s. Our actions are going to help make peace in our country.

By Lindsey Blackman, Communications Specialist