Second Shabbat Highlights

Campers and staff had a wonderful second Shabbat of the summer. One of the highlights was a full day without rain!

Another major highlight was the chance for Teenside to celebrate along with one of our campers, Maxine, as she was called to the Torah to celebrate her becoming bat mitzvah here at camp. Maxine read the Torah blessings, a few verses from the portion of the week and then shared a Dvar Torah in which she made connections between the portion and life at camp today. We wanted to share her beautiful words with you below – please stay tuned for more updates from SLC!

Maxine’s Dvar Torah

For my Torah portion, I chose to write about the “Water of Lustration” which is a mixture that warriors used after war to purify themselves.

I think that it’s important to separate battle and activity from prayer and services. In camp we drink the Water of Lustration daily, not in actual water form but theoretically. After activities we walk to the Mainside or Teenside dining hall. During that walk we have time to think about what we did, where we’re coming from, where we are going and what we are going to do when we get there. Once we get to the dining halls we sing the Motzi and after the meal we sing the Birchat Hamazon. These blessings remind us to thank God or even the people prepping the food for the meal. Transitions in camp and in life are very important.

In camp we have many transitions that help the camp run smoothly. On Friday nights, after a long day of activities, we have “Shabbat prep” which is time given to relax, shower and get ready for Shabbat services. On Saturday nights, we also have Havdalah which ends Shabbat and separates it from the rest of the week. This is also a sign of not only a transition but the Water of Lustration. Friday night services through Saturday night Havdalah separates the prayer services part of the Water of Lustration to the rest of the week’s activities which is represented by the “battle.” Throughout our lives we will all grow to realize that transitions and the Water of Lustration helps and balances our daily lives.

I would like to thank my parents, grandparents and siblings for helping me get to where I am today. I would also like to thank my bunk for listening to me practice over and over. Lastly, I would like to thank David, the Jewish Life Specialist here at camp, for helping me prepare this.