Boys 5768 News Reports
This Friday, while the rest of camp were playing sports, and bunk “tracht gut vet zain gut” were on the way to the oak park park, for a grand basketball game together with themselves, the two oldest bunks – “taporu da’plachu”, and “nisht da kein farfalen” – hit the roads. Their goal? To “track down” as many jewish men as possible, with which to lay teffilin. Its friday, and its time for mivtzoim.By the time we were finished with “the rebbe’s niggunm”, and shnayim mikrah, shabbos chazon was ready to come in. so we all got dressed up, and hurried to shul, just in time for mincha to begin, and maariv to follow. At the meal that night, the head staff warned us to be extra careful while dancing and singing, being that last week we took the roof down, and we still needed the floor for the next week and a half (nisht oif shabbos geret). “Unfortunately”, we forgot to listen to their instructions, which consequently left us hanging in mid air, without the intervention of gravity… rendering me and my friends utterly “spaced” for the duration of the meal.
Shabbos morning, being that you cannot press the button which causes the light to change, making it very dangerous to cross, we are not allowed to cross unless there is a staff member supervising the process. You have no idea how impressed I was, when as I left the building shabbos morning to cross the street (where I could find some “mezonos faren davvenen”), I saw a staff member/crossing guard, in his shabbos suit and shabbos shoes, wearing a special orange crossing guard vest, customized with our very own gan yisroel logo!!! (now that’s what I call class.)
The rest of the day continued as “usual” (davvening, seudas shabbos, farbrengen with our learning teachers, and mishnayos baal peh war). Mincha was extra early, so that we would have time to celebrate the seuda hamafsekes. There were a few staff members who had a “masoires” that in order to have a successful fast, one must drink 7 cups of water, while spinning around underneath the mezuzah. Following with the tradition, they then made their way to the closest garbage can, in which they subsequently uploaded (and in an oifen of hafotzeh) all of the above mentioned data...
After the eicha, every single bunk had the opportunity to express their talents, acting out the story of “kamtza and bar kamtza”. It was poshut hilarious, especially since it was already past 12 by the time we were finished... for more info, check out the pictures (i know I always say that, but what can I do that a picture does more than a thousand words).
Ah gutteh nacht, and have an easy fast!
By now I knew, that every single day of the 9 days, “something” interesting has to happen. Like the famous “Pisgah”: b’makom she’ein ish, is herring oichet ah fish!!! So without further ado, we got onto the busses, and made our way to one and only “automotive hall of fame”, located right here in the one and lonely state of Michigan!So the first thing we do, is sit down in this large roundish looking room, only to get a welcome speech from some kid who was such a baal gaiveh, that if he were to jump off his ego and land on his intellect, he would definitely break every last bone in his body… then we’re taken to another room, with a big pointy ceiling, where “Jeff” told us all about inventions, ideas, electric - gas, and cars - powered through the popping of balloons… Jeff was no doubt one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve ever seen in the entire automotive hall of fame.
Three hours later (and only after every single camper was sound asleep), Jeff finally decided to stop talking, and after commending our great behavior, cordially invited us to wake up and check out the place – which we happily did. By the way, it was pretty cool! We saw the first car ever to be invented; we saw the exact process that brought about the evolution from horses to wagons, and from bicycles to airplanes. Later on, when Jeff asked us if we thought up any good ideas or inventions, I volunteered: maybe “they” could figure out a way to turn airplanes into horses, this way horses would be able to run much faster, while simultaneously putting the car industry out of business, thus changing the face of technology, by bringing down the price of gas as low as my favorite cereal flavored toasted oats, which will no doubt have a significant effect on the price of tea in China!!! Jeff said, that one day I would be a great evolutionary.
All in all, it was a very eye – opening experience, which started hurting after a while, so they let us come back to camp in order to get a chance to close our eyes for the night…
Oh wait, I almost forgot! Tonight, learning director Chaim’ke Gourary introduced “tzuvishin mir mitten rebbin”. You see, each night, when you say krias shema she’al hamita, that is the time that you are meant to make a cheshbon hanefesh of the passing day, to make sure it was a day which caused nachas to the Rebbe, and not chas v’shalom farkert… so every single camper was given their very own folder with a piece of paper containing a short vort about hiskashrus – read and explained to us by one of the staff. Then there were a few lines for us to write down our accomplishments of today, and what we can add tomorrow (just in case you’re wondering if there is really always room to add, even if yesterday was perfect, the answer is yes. Because the same way the Aibershter is unlimited, so to are all inyanim of kedushah that are attached to Him. Or as the raza”l put in two words: maalin bakoidesh). At the end of the summer, we will send these papers to the Rebbe. (Please check out kol hana”l in today’s pictures located on the website.)
Kana”l, Now’s my chance to close my eyes for the night. v’al pi maamar raza”l: im loi achshav eimosai – ah gutteh nacht.
The one and only day of Tzivos Hashem War
So basically, the shul was split up into three – like three rows and stuff. So (-in other words, the reason the above mentioned information is so important, is because-) the second breakfast was over, mishnayos baal peh started rocking, while simultaneously purifying the entire building. Officially, the quota was 5 lines per kid, but once we were finished with that, we could chazer mishnayos and Tanya, in an extremely free-for-all, unlimited atmosphere. The concept being: the more you chazer, the more points you get for your team. All in all, we collectively learned over 1500 lines of crystal clear, air–purifying mishnayos baal peh!!!I got so carried away with the mishnayos, I almost came late to learning classes! But my learning teacher told me: “almost” doesn’t count! Anyways, after lunch, we were sent to different locations throughout the mishkan for team time. There were only a bare minimum of time particles, totaling 3 hours, to come up with a story that brings out our “toichen”. which happens to be a difficult task considering the fact that no one on our team know’s what “toichen” means. But b”h the staff, who’s position in the war was advisory board, kicked in and helped us out.
The plays were great, and my mind isn’t working right now (l’hoitzei yesterday, that it was…). So I have to sign out before its to late…
The last day, of the first week – in the three weeks.
I finally thought that today was going to be a normal day. We woke up on time, we had regular learning classes, and activities were actually normal – for a change! It just couldn’t be…
All the trouble began during supper, when, after walking off with the head counselors table, and dropping it in the middle of the dining room, learning teachers Yudi Browd and Bentzion Shemtov, were sent flying out of the dining room. But 30 seconds later, they were back. With them in this rebellion, were another ten staff members for reinforcement. This time however, they picked up the table, left the room with it, and deposited it right in middle of the hallway, while head counselor Levi tried his hardest to regain control. But to no avail, the staff had already started to farbreng right outside the dining room, causing large amounts of chaos to reverberate all over the area. That’s when H.C. Levi Greenberg really lost his patience, and started screaming on top of his windpipes at apparently nobody in particular. And to make matters worse, Yudi Browd comes in to “calm him down” successfully getting him five times as angry, so he told H.C. Levi to go out side, and take a tea. That said, Levi completely blew his top, until steam was simultaneously coming out of both of his pockets. So the staff had no choice… so after pulling off another couple of stunts, they came running into the dining room shouting: color war! Color war! What? Color war in the three weeks?! Okay…
After bentching, we were all sent upstairs to the main shul, where the head staff told us, its not color war, but the war fought by tzivos hashem! The three teams (as in “three weeks”), were: “kabbolas ol”, “achdus”, and “simcha” – the three main ingredients needed, in order to win the war over the yeitzer harah. The best part was, that we ran the whole show! Even the generals were kids. Like the general of team achdus is Mendy Marinovsky, and the lt. general is Yankel Deitch. Team simcha’s general is Moshe Kalmenson and his lt. is Mendel Shmotkin (CT). And last but not least, Meir Friedman and Mendel Plotkin are the general and lt. general of team kabbolas ol.
By now, it’s already very late, but we still made sure to present all three scavengers – and boy, were they funny! So let me get some sleep, this way, tomorrow will be at least half normal.
So Good night, shluf tight, and goodbye!!!
Typical schedule of the 9 days – in the three weeks. Continued…
O.k. so what are they gonna come up with today… breakfast (except the announcing of the winners of the mishnayos baal peh war – kana”l, in the motzaei shabbos news - ) - as usual. Learning classes (besides the fact, that the two older kvutzos “disappeared” until the end of lunch – for a tour of the beis chabad, and a shopping spree in 7-11 for slurpees) - on schedule. there wasn’t anything unusual about lunch…. until I saw those yellow busses, that’s when I knew, something was up their sleeves.But they made us wait, until the busses were well on their way… “and today’s activity is none other than, the one and only extra spectacular scavenger mall hunt!!!” well, what does that mean? Okay, so the first thing that happened was… the arrival at the “great lakes crossing – mall”, which was literally the size of three medium sized military airports” etc. then we were split up into groups of five – that’s five kids per staff member, and given lists of “things” we are supposed to accomplish. Like……. “Find the most fitting birthday gift for head counselor mendel shemtov, without exceeding $3.99.” or “count how many escalators go up, how many go down, and how many are out of service.” Then there was “your whole group must make a kuleh in front of the main entrance – without attracting any attention!” to make a long story even longer, we got straight to work, with our most naturally “undisturbing hunt” - at least as far as the customers were concerned, and boy were they concerned (and I don’t blame them!). don’t get me started on what happened, when we had to convince those ultra intelligent security personnel, that we’re just “innocent” customers, minding our own business… (until today, I never knew what you meant by “ah goyisheh kup”.) anyways, the winners will be announced in the near future, at least according to the head staff…
Incidentally, We got back to camp pretty late, so they gave us pizza for supper , since gas was really on a high, apparently.
I hope to hear from you tomorrow, or else you’ll hear from me. So weigh your options, and chassidisheh chaloimois.
….The three weeks kicks!!! The three weeks kicks!!! Oops, I’m sorry for expressing my feelings out loud, So next time (like tomorrow or something) I’ll do it in writing….
Typical schedule of the 9 days – in the three weeks.
At first I thought, this week is gonna be so boring. No swimming, no trips – now that equals booooring!!! But oy was I wrong – boruch hashem!You see in camp at large, and especially in the three weeks, there exists a unique variety of highly trained overtired staff, never failing to come up with brainstorms the size of fully grown watermelons, whose consequences are felt in the world over. So today, during activities, we took turns (two bunks at a time) visiting a compartment store, which we were originally told, is one of the fanciest clothing outlets In the whole region. First we lined up (at the no parking and handicapped section of the parking lot) outside the store to find out what was in “store” for us. We were told that we are going to be playing “dress up your counselor” – the bunk who would dress up their counselor with the most ridicules “costume”?!?!!! would receive a prize… the second we entered, our eye bowls apparently popped right out of their sockets!!! There were suits of every color and shape, with price tags made out of fancier material than the suits themselves, which attributed to the most hand – me – down – flavored – prices I’ve ever heard of!! Socks, custom manufactured with every flavor and smell existing in the entire oak park region. Don’t even try to get me started with those highly flammable, 1.000.000% polyester “head coverings” – or “hats” which had these dangerously sophisticated non toxic odors, emanating from their very essence!!! The wackiest part, in my very own humble opinion, was when my counselor started flying down the isles, with a pair of off white pants with a touch of brown checkers, a blazer with a color so brilliant, it blinded all those standing in the ten foot range… In short we had a blast – like awesome etc. (if you want some more details, and there are many to choose from, you must check out the website a.s.a.p, where you will find lots of amusing (to say the least) pictures, and stuff like that.)
After minchah, we all marched to the famous “oak park” park, for a grand camper/staff baseball game, which continued well into the wee hours of the evening. To be honest, I would say that this was the most exciting day, for me at least, in the three weeks – so far...
Oh no, I think I’m starting to catch some of the overtiredness of my under - slept counselor, who is presently in middle of telling me to get into bed, which is becoming more and more tempting by the minute… so…. Oh no, not again … zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….zzzz……zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….. zzzzzzzzzzzzz………….. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz………………………………………….. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz……….. oh, I totally forgot to tell you the name of the store zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…….zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz etc. zzzzzzzzzzzz…………..zzzzzz uh, it was called VALUE WORLD!!!
The very first shabbos in “the three weeks”!!!
Ah gutten, un freilichen voch! (because, mi’shenichnas av, m’ma’atin. How? b’simchah!)Friday was our last chance to go swimming before the 9 days, so we did.
We also had to finish washing our laundry, so our staff organized an emergency camp wide laundry campaign, to get the job done. Besides for that, Friday’s schedule was pretty much the same as in Kalkaska, With a few exceptions. The main difference being, that now camp time is only one hour back (instead of two), so shabbos came in an hour late!
And now for the shabbos spirit! If I thought that shabbos in lubavitch city rocked the house, I was right. But the three weeks still kicks. Like big time!!! I mean kabbolas shabbos nearly took the roof down! (not to mention all of the eardrums that were consequently busted.) then the Friday night meal took on a whole new perspective… you see, the dining room is located in the basement (because the head staff forgot to bring the a – frame…), so this time, the singing and dancing was so simultaneous, the entire dining room, with all of its components (including myself), went flying straight through the roof – milmatah l’maalah!!! After bentching, some of the bunks sat around the table for a geshmakeh chassidisheh farbrengen.
on Shabbos morning we made sure to get up very early (camp time!) in order to learn some extra chassidus, which certainly had a positive affect on our davvening, because shacharis took three and a half hours – without k’riah. Now that’s what I call arichus!!! (by the way, I don’t know if you remember, but like two weeks ago I wrote, that by k’rias hatorah, the boys that are looking inside nicely, get the tremendous z’chus to look inside a chumash, which the rebbe himself had personally used!) on shabbos afternoon, after farbrenging with our learning teachers, a great war broke out, in which the enemy was at least temporarily subdued. Yes, “mishnayos baal peh war” did cast a heavy blow onto the yetzer harah, and b”h, the staff kept refueling us with many gallons of high quality nosh…
In the three weeks there is no shmaryonkey during shalosh se’udos etc. Instead, head counselor levi taught us a few niggunim which I have never heard before. To tell you the truth, I was a little sad that there was no shmaryonkey this week , but the staff had already figured it all out… on motzaei shabbos, we had a beautiful melaveh malkah, consisting of bagels, cream cheese, milchigs and lox. The head counselor told us all about how significant a melaveh malkah really is, and also, that it's traditional to hear a story of tzaddikim, so he introduced our camp’s personalized story teller to tell us a story. And I could tell you, it was even better than shmaryonkey himself!!!
Ah gutteh voch (for the second time), and I’ll fill you in tomorrow, with the latest – i.y.h.
Today, we were introduced to our new learning classes, and learning teachers – “the three weeks” learning program, which does kick, has begun!
After lunch, we got on to the busses, which casually made its way to a full sized bowling alley, were every single camper “struck out” with flying colors. While others (?) ran to “check” it out… by the way, the out side of the bowling alley, looked mamesh like the a – frame, like it’s nobody’s business, apparently and stuff.
We were then taken, (with us or without us,) to the “novi medium flavored ice skating rink”. Personally, I made a hachlatah, to complete a whopping 770 laps around the giant rink, but my counselor convinced me out of it, by telling me, that everyone is gonna think that it’s the color war breakout, so I decided to save it ‘till the bonfire. Afterwards, the staff presented us with a real live flag raising, that consisted of a staff member with a camp tee shirt (representing the flag), two additional counselors on who’s hands he stepped, and yet one more staff member, who’s shoulders served as a platform for the raised “flag” to stand upon.
By now, I was starving! But not for long, ‘cuz once again those yellow busses came to the rescue. It took us to a huge campus (with really nice grounds and stuff), where we davvened mincha, and had a super delicious BBQ flavored bbq, because the three weeks kick!!!
Umm, that’s pretty much what had happened today (in addition to yesterday), and so I.y.h. I’ll write after shabbos, to let you know, just how awesome it was.
first day of - "three weeks kick"
So we arrive at like 4:30 in the morning, and they send us to sleep in the buildings across the street. There were actually real, comfortable, geshmackeh beds! – for a change… anyways they let us sleep for quite a few hours (I wonder how the head staff knew how much we needed it, I mean, we never told them that we’re tired or anything like that…). When we got up, we davened shacharis, ate breakfast, and went to the shul, to get split up into bunks (which are not the same as in the first term). After lunch, is when the busses came to take us to… what? Busses?! We had barely arrived, and we’re already leaving! But as you know, its not good to ask questions when your having fun… the bus ride was like... I would say… 20 minutes. And we land at this super massive Olympic sized swimming pool, fully equipped with a shower and dressing room, a deep end, and more than one diving board! Back at camp, they gave us some more time to unpack, and settle in to our new settings. During supper there were, for reasons, unknown to the masses, major oh oh’s – attention gan yisroel’s, containing a vast quantity of three week inspiration and chayus . After having a word with the experts, I found out, that it was due to an overdose of powerful overtiredness. Lights out was early today, being that we’re still a little tired etc. and stuff, so I have to prepare for bed (or a bed…) now.
I’ll write to you tomorrow as soon as I have something important to write about. (I’m just joking; you know that… I write not because of something important, but because writing home itself is important!)
Lubavitch City, MI – A record breaking year has another record breaker! This year was the first that campers and staff had the opportunity to swim the lake. Granted there has been numerous unrecorded attempts and successes however this is the only year in Gan Izzy history that the lake was crossed by over 20 campers and staff!
The idea is the brainstorm of Head Lifeguard Yakov Feldman and Sports Director Shmuly Berman. They said “its only fair” that campers should have the opportunity to do something which in the past was regarded as a staff thing. “We are very excited to try this out and if G-d willing it works out we will push to incorpeate it for every year.”
Lifegaurd Shmuly Vishetzky is a second year lifeguard, this is his first year here in Gan Israel Detroit. When we asked him before the crossing began he said “I’m scared and excited at the same time” most probably referring to the snapping turtles that reportedly infest the lake. Well we felt the same way so we joined in the effort with one of our reporters doubling as lifesaver as he manned the canoe that went alongside the swimmers.
No less then four lifeguards, two rowboats, one canoe and an assorted number of kickboards were used in this grand undertaking.
The campers were most excited, “I don’t think I can actually make it all the way across” confessed Camper Levi Katz “but I want to try”. Camper Levi Sudak felt the same way “It will be fun too see were I can get up to”.
Other campers were more optimistic, “I’m going there and back no problem” shouted Camper Mandy Broffman.
However the most exciting part was getting the swimmers feelings as they were swimming through the water. After leaving the deep end the only soung for the first few minutes was the sound of couching, but soon that gave way too ….singing! And singing it was with a resounding rendition of “Wherever We Go”.
One of the most touching parts of the whole event was by far the interviews “in the water”. As we canoed past the swimmers and as we waited by the end we asked them their feelings and were astounded by the response:
Check out more videos at cgidetroit.com/video!
The full camp video is available for a pre-release discount by logging in at the Online Registration page.
The shabbos started with a bang, as all the bunks wanted to be the winners of this final shabbos competition in camp. Mincha began with such chayus, followed immedately by a Kabbalas Shabbos like CGI Detroit has never seen before. This week had a special theme of Shabbos Shluchim as shluchim from every state packed the stage to begin a niggun for lecha dodi. The final 2 stanzas were led by our shluchim in camp, the staff began a lebidike, chassidishe niggun and the singing and dancing spilled out of the shul and onto the steps of the A-Frame. The rest of the night continued with the same warmth as the staff sat, sang, and farbrenged with the campers. Many of the campers stayed and enjoyed an optional farbrengen with the head staff after the meal was over.In the morning the entire camp was up early learning chassidus with their breakfast. A beautiful Shachris, kriah, and then mussaf earned many of the campers beautiful pictures of the Rebbe. The meal stretched for a long time as campers and staff together sang songs of how they will miss camp and reminiscing about days that have passed. As always, there were farbrengens with learning teachers, campers made many hachlotos that will make the energy of a CGI summer last throughout the year.
The camp went into the shul for maariv and havdala with many bunks being dismissed for a special late night with their counselor.
The last few days will be busy and we need our rest. GOOD NIGHT CGI!!!
After so many exciting happenings the day before, most of camp got off to a late start.Camp was enjoying their regular Friday schedule, with learning classes, activities, and finally all of camp went to cleanup for Shabbos. The learning class in the afternoon had the campers learning the history of a niggun and ending with the niggun played over the P.A. system.
With just a few minutes left the campers headed to the shul for the third and final shabbos in camp.
so this, is what happened... they woke us up really early in the morning, and told us, that the busses were already here. so i grabbed my bag, my camp tee shirt and cap, and of course - my tayereh sweater, said b'rochois, and ran to the bus (on which, we davvened shacharis). around one and a half hour's later, we arrived at our destination. breakfast was served (starring: [bein ha'shaar] blueberry muffins, and tropicana!), and being that it was thursday, the torah (which boruch hashem, the understandably under - slept staff didn't forget to bring with them from camp) was read. afterwards, our counselors gave out the tickets for go - carting, miniature golf, the most massivest water slide, and the coolest water balloon war - course, i've ever seen. just by the way, the go - carting track, was one of the largest i have ever been on... two hours later, and we're back on our custom made charter busses. a short while later, we're all holding these very heavy bowling balls, sending them at two hundred m.p.h. down a slippery lane, only to get three "strikes", and no outs! now thats talent…. hey, how did that happen? i must have been spacing out (and my learning teacher said that i'm not allowed to), but there i was, sitting with my bunk under a tree, in this beautiful park, having lunch. when we finished benching, we were on our way to a very special part of this trip - MOUNTAIN SLIDING!!! it was poshut awesome. first, we were transported to the top of the mountain with these first class, state of the art cable car, and when we got to the top, they gave us special sleds in which you slide down the track, which was full of dips and swerves of all sorts. By the time the entire camp went for a few rounds, it was already time for supper, at the bottom of the mountain. You should really check out the pictures, the tables were set up like a chasunah, with this huge buffet, carrying: a large variety of cold cuts, potato salad, corn salad, sour pickeles and zesty banana peppers. (there were even custom made peckelach of ketchup and mustard on each table!)when we got back onto the busses, I was so tired, I asked my friend to wake me up when we get back to camp. But in stead, he woke me up, as the bus pulled into the parking lot of a brilliantly lit up, stunning…. hotel? (At least that’t what it looks like…) Well I guess I’m gonna find out – after maariv on the side walk.
AN INDOOR WATER PARK!!!! This time I really can’t say, that I knew it the whole time, but who cares anyways? We were to busy having a blast – it was AWESOME!!! There were humongous water slides which you go down in a tube, and end up mit dee gantzeh shturem I a huge swirling swimming pool. The truth is, it would take me HOURS to describe all of the amazing things at the water park (besides the fact, that it was rented out just for us), oh yeah, there was this super dominant, and tremendously powerful “water hill”, that your supposed to slide down on with the help of a surf-board, while having literaly THOUSANDS of gallons of ziseh vaser, gushing up from the bottom of the “hill” to “greet” you. As you could probably imagine, the water was a lot more dominant than I was…
b’kitzur, I had a blast!!!With hashems help, I will write after shabbos, in an attempt to explain, and define the last shabbos in lubavitch city – 5768. For now however, hub ah gutten shabbos.
I’m back, and I told you I would let you know who the winners of color war were. Well, First of all, we woke up very late today, the extra sleep was necessary, and I’m really thankful, that the head staff let us have it. So after we davvened, and ate breakfast, we were lined up in front of the flag pole area, ready for the judges to come, and announce the winners. Boy was I excited! And rightfully so, because I knew for a fact, that my team was winning. There was just one thing I didn’t get. Why was everyone holding bottles and buckets of water? Well, as soon as the judges arrived, I most definitely found out. “and for the winners of color war, tof shin samech ches......” the second the words came out of their mouths, water came flying fun aleh zaiten, the judges were simultaneously drenched. Wait, am I seeing right? You better believe it. Two staff members are shlepping this massive garbage can, full of water, and making their way towards the judges.... before I could snap my fingers, it was all over. But the situation only got worse, because as soon as they announced the winning team...... “the winners ...of this war... are none other than.... the team of v’ – nif – linu!!!” the judges, and the generals of both teams, were subsequently transported, via lots of helping hands, directly into the lake - with their clothes on!!! We all stood by, shepping much deserved yiddisheh nachas, while the above mentioned shepped gallons of yiddisheh water into their clothing. After drying up a little, we were told, that there is going to be a camp picture. So we were all “set up” in front of the a– frame for a grand gan yisrael photo. We sang a lot of songs, while they took a lot of pictures. Oh, and we were also given our very own, artistically designed camp tee-shirts. (You’ll see it when I get home i.y.h.) by supper, the staff were making a lot of trouble, so I new something exciting was gonna happen. After having a word with the experts, I learned, that it was either the grand trip or the bonfire (being that according to their calculations, the banquet was scheduled for the last day of camp. Etc.), and guess what? they were right!! During what I would call a very “disturbing” night activity, and after a very confusing chain of events, they finally broke out the grand trip. We’re leaving very early tomorrow morning, so the “second” I get back I’ll let you know how it was. But for now, have ah gutteh nacht.
O.K. where do I begin..... Oh yeah, again the first thing in the morning was MBP. This time, I totally quadrupled my quota! So I know for a fact, that my team is winning. Then, after shachris, we had the most hilarious halachah skits I have ever seen in my entire life!!! Now that’s hilarious (one, was about the berachah – “meshaneh ha’brios”, and the other was the halachah that you have to go to sleep on your left side, and wake up on your right side). Like yesterday, today was a full day of different competitions.A little bit later in the afternoon, we were sent to our “designated” places for team time (the shoiresh of the word “designated” – is “design”. And that is of great significance, being that our designated places, were especially “designed” for team time, l’mashal, the roof of the a – frame, and the bottom of the lake....), where we learned our alma matter (a special song, expressing our feelings about camp). Now here comes the highlight of the night – the “grand sing”. I’m not joking, when I entered the a – frame, I could not recognize a thing. There were these huge bleachers set up on either side of the a – frame for both teams, there were props like no tomorrow, curtains and draperies adorned the walls, the place looked brilliant!! Besides the fact, that the entire team of Ashreinu were dressed up like gefilteh fish!!!??! Oh, I get it, “The Itche Kadoozi AShow” (now that’s an original idea for a costume!). The generals were introduced in the most ridicules way – the general of team v’niflinu was pulled out of this over–sized bedroom dresser, not before three staff members woke up to the sound of this disastrous alarm clock (team v’niflinu were dressed up like “sleepers”??????), and searched far and near, for the heavily asleep winning general. The general of team ashreinu came ripping through a video screen!!! Whaaat??? Alright, alright, let me explain. The staff actually got in touch with the producer of “the Itche Kadoozi Show”, and together, they custom prepared - just for us, a very funny video about finding freeze pops for the grand sing, and ended off, with “gefilteh fish” saying: Smile, we won!!! Then, the paper screen which the projector was playing off, split in half, like nobody’s business, and the general came popping out. We then did lots of dancing and singing, with grammen and theme speeches in between. The most awesome part of the grand sing, in my opinion of course, were the alma matters. Now I’m not saying this to be politically correct, both song’s, were extremely beautiful. Like seriously (one team even had a solo, with an especially sweet and stirring voice!). finally, we davvened maariv, which pretty much marked the end of color war.
I can’t wait to find out who the winners were. They say, it will be announced tomorrow. In the meantime, let me catch some sleep which I so desperately need, and tomorrow i.y.h. I’ll let you know which of the two winning teams, actually won. Okay?
Winning team of V’niflinu:
The water’s so calm
The birds sing with charm,
The sun’s spreading forth its bright light,The oars swish with grace,
I speed up my pace,
The noise from the shore is no more…Oh Gan Yisroel where are you,
En-gage me please,
In a dream, a vision,
A brush of wind in air,
I feel estranged and distant,
Something’s incorrect,
Gan Yisroel, I need you,
I must reconnect.
My boat turned around,
My heart starts to pound,
The A-frame is growing in size.
Joy fills the void,
That engulfed me before,
The lonesomeness gone – it’s no more.
Oh Gan Yisroel I have you
You’re sweet as can be,
You give me the comfort,
The support that I need,
I feel familiar and welcome
Everything’s just right
Gan Yisroel I thank you,
By day and by night.The banquet begins,
My mind starts to spin,
How will I manage to leave?It dawned on me then,
That it ersht begins when,
Gan Yisroel shines forth from within…Oh Gan Yisroel I have you
You’ve shown me the way,
To cherish a moment,
How a yid spends his day.
To be happy and proud
And feel, lucky too
I thank you Gan Yisroel,
Gan Yisroel thank you!Team of Ashreinu:
T.T.T.O. Niggun Hisvaadus (Nichoach Vol. #8)
I was but a child-so young and pure,
I knew-not who you were,
You stared-right through my eyes,
I smiled-not knowing why,
How-could I have known that,
That moment would change my life…Extending your holy-arm, that I-may reach,
A-dollar you’de give-each,
Then-I saw you-say,
Some words-I know-today,
Were “Brachah Ve’hatzlacha”,
“Success in all of your ways…”But since-then I’ve-grown older-I’ve,
Learned much-more-about,
Who you-are, My-Rebbe, and,
With what you’re-set-apart…
The fiery love that blazes inside you,
To Hashem, and his nation, each and every Jew,
You care for us like a faithful shepherd,
You are-the-head on which-we-all depend.Yet, when-I-come to-seven-seventy,
And once-again, to behold-you, I do seek,
It seems-to-me, your-holy-throne, lays bare,
Confused and bewildered I just stare…Rebbe, you-told-us-that now-it’s up-to-us,
A Chossid to become - I realize that-I-must,
I know you’re with me, giving-me strength,
“I promise-you Rebbe! I’ll go-the greatest-length!”I realize the Rebbe relies on me,
But, “Chsiddim ein mishpochoh”, “we’re family”.Thank you camp, for-the-hope, you grant,
Together-we-join, as one, we-do-stand,
Camp Gan Yisroel... this year you’ll be,
Lubavitch City- 770!
Winning Team of V’niflinu:Amongst-the Chasiddim he’d spend his time,
Chazering the Rebbes words, with zest, line by line,
A life of delight, so holy and pure,
He could not think to ask for something more...But then-to the city he relocates,
He’s struck-by the fashion, the customs of the state,
For-a brief moment a thought crossed his mind,
“Just to taste this life of a new kind”.A call, comes forth, from deep within his soul:
Theres no way in the world,
I’l drop my dignity,
I am a Chossid!,
And that’s a novelty!Aha ahay ay ay ay,
My standards aren’t the same,
I bear the Rebbe’s name,
It’s okay for others,
But I must stay away…We are Chassidim, the Rebbe’s chosen men,
We’re different we’re special,
No matter where or when...With pride we strive,
Our name to preserve,
Bringing down Moshiach Tzidkeinu...Team of Ashreinu:
T.T.T.O Niggun HaBesht
That Thursday night was his flight,
He’s excited more than ever,
He packs his bags, marks the tags,
Off he’s going to the Rebbe,
While he stands and awaits his turn,
A Sichah he does learn.Wholly unbeknown to-him,
There’s another Jew in line,
The mood he’s in, his frame of mind,
Completely of another kind,
Although he is a Frume Yid,
He’s not yet a Chossid.As they find their seats on-board,
Mendel greets-this fellow,
“sholom Aleichem! Vos macht a yid?
It’s here I’d like to sit!”“It’s clear to me”, the man did say,
“you are a Luba-vitcher,
Maybe you can share with me
The secret of-your joy”.
hay didi ya, didi ya, didi ya, didi ya...“The Rebbe has granted us,
With the greatest gift in life,
His holy insight his saintly guidance,
His council and advice.”ha hay ay yei yei yei yei,
“The Rebbe concerns himself,
With caring for us all,
No matter what the issue-is,
From the biggest to the small!”“Ashreinu” we’re all so fortunate,
For having such a Rebbe,
Now, you know our secret too,
You need not feel left out…”“Accept my invitation,
To join me at the Ohel,
There we feel even more secure,
With the Rebbe here and near...”
Day 1 Color War - Plays and Songs!
the generals made it very clear: mishnayos baal peh, is what wins the war! so the first thing in the morning, we got up, said brochos and k'rias shemah, and started chazzering away. everybody had to finish his quota at least once, but the more lines, the more points...after shacharis, a representative of both teams presented a speech on a certain theme in halachah. then, throughout the day, there were all these different types of competitions, sports, races, vechulu, etc. in the afternoon, we had team time. which also means , that our entire team gets together to learn their teams theme song. afterwards, the esteemed judges listen to each team present their song, to see who sang nicer, with more coordination etc. and apparently. and, obviously, which team brought out their theme better. (i don' t know if this is true, but there were rumors, that both songs were written by the same person! in any event, they were both awesome.)
the shul was closed off from after lunch, because they were building props, and painting backdrops for the grand plays (so we had no choice, but to davven minchah in front of the a - frame). as soon as we davvened minchah, we were dismissed to the shul to watch the winning play of the team v'niflinu. (what the plays were about, is to amazing, and complex, to write about right now. so i'll tell you all about it when i get home i.y.h. or, you'll be able to watch it on the camp video) we then ran to the a - frame for supper ( yum... pizza!!!). i was really hungry by then... so i actually ate, even though i was on shpillkehs to see the next play which was "punctually" scheduled for after maariv. by that time i was already dozing off, but the second the winning play of ashreinu started....zzzz....zzzzzzz...zz.... my freind tapped me, and told me "this is gonna be good" - and it was!
our general told us,to save our voices for tomorrow, because we're having a really funny hallachah skit, first thing after shachris! i didn't get the connection, because i was very tired. but i'm even more excited, so as soon as tommorow happens - i'll let you know! i.y.h.
I'm not joking, my mind is going bonkers! Whatever clarity i was left with after the fast, was completely confused and distorted, the second we were dismissed from supper.I don't even know how to explain this to you, and I don't want to traumatize you, or anything like that, but as soon as we were dismissed from supper, we were told that there is going to be a le'vaiyah - I'm thinking to myself.... huh? But then it all became clear - a le'vaiyah for who? for Getzel. I was really sad, because you know, Getzel was an erlicheh yid, mit ah zieseh shmeichel, his eyes were so innocent..... nebach, he was so young, why did he have to run into the forest in middle of the night....... ay, foolish goat - nu,nu, ah tzig is ah tzig. You see, last week they purchased the tzig for the staff play, and the rest is history.... I really got emotional during the hesped, and then before I had a chance to recover, the hesped guy broke out the bonfire (which I happened to know that it was tonight, the whole time...), and we were dismissed to the shul to say K'rias shemah, and from there to go to the bonfire site.
And then, before we had a chance to open our siddurim, somebody ran in to the shul, jumped off the stage, and told the h.c. that: getzel the tzig ran away from his keiver, and is now by the bonfire site, what should I do? the chutzpa'dikeh staff didn't even give the h.c a chance to answer - they answered for him - color war!!! (by now you probably understand why my mind went bonkers....) they split up the teams - ashreinu and v'niflinu - we then danced our brains off when they announced the generals.....I'm now at a stage of critical overtirednes.....but I laughed so hard, I became permanently disconnected from my bentch......and tonight was the first time I experienced sleep-laughing.....zzz...zzzzzz........
.....ha'mavdil bein koidesh l'choil.
Gut voch, gut voch; you know, I read somewhere, that the "Rogotchover Gaon" once said, that Shabbos is his worst day. Why? because he has so many thoughts rushing through his mind, yet he can't write them down.... This Shabbos I felt the same way. Kabbolas Shabbos literally rocked the house!!! Then, by the Friday night meal, our singing went straight through the roof. Shabbos day was the same concept - lots of turbulence. By K'rias ha'torah, the boys that were following inside nicely, had the z'chus of looking into a chumash that the Rebbe personally used!By shallah shudos (that's how its spelled), the chayus reached it's crux. The A-frame rumbled and stumbled, but the singing and dancing only got stronger and stronger - ashreinu, al-haselah, the Rebbe's ha'kofos niggun, I thought it was simchas torah!!! By the time they announced the winners for shabbos competition, I was fast asleep under my bench, so I had to stop writing. See yah tomorrow.
Ah gutten erev shabos.......You see, every Erev Shabbbos (I'm sorry for being redundant - especially on Erev Shabbos, when your so busy with the Erev Shabbos preparations, which take place every Erev Shabbos), we have two hours of "free" time (after activities vechulu). In short, I'll call it getting ready for Shabbos, but in reality.......o.k., where do I begin? We inspect our beds for dust, make sure our sheets are on our pillowcases, take showers, clean the bunkhouse (each boy has a different job), write letters, etc....... now here comes the best part: bed side inspection! which means (in my opinion, which happens to be equivalent to a fact) that the h.c. arrives at each bunk, with a scary face he picked up in canteen on my bill, he then looks at you until you burst out laughing, he then marks our chart to record the level of sanitation, in which he has found our socks. We then get dismissed to my favorite learning class - "the Rebbe's niggunim". Oh, how did I forget? this Friday, there was a super awesome learning trip, for kids who excelled in learning. I tried to excel, but i didn't succeed, so instead I went because of my effort! (that's what I call awesome!!!) aaaaahhhhhh gutten shabbos.
Check out more videos at cgidetroit.com/video!
When the head staff announced the long awaited over-night trip on Tuesday night I went bonkers! This is gonna be lots of fun. I was in group A, so I had to get up pretty early. The school-bus took us directly to a canoe landing place where we got a 3 hour safety-speech. The water was great, with me was another kid from my bunk and a staff member. Once we even saw a eagle going fishing. After almost tipping over 10 times we landed at a different spot where - after lunch - they took us to the over-night spot called: Chippewa landing.After Mincha (& some playing ) we lit a HUGE bonfire that we ourselves build, it was very hot. Now, I have some good news & some bad news: the mosquitoes will not be able to bite me any more, the bad news: that is because last night they bit every inch of my largest organ.
After a very tasty BBQ (why always BBQ?) we sat around the blazing heap of flames, singing camp songs, talking to each other. My counselor & I talked allot, I like him very much.
We got up at... well there was no clock or PA system around, so we got up when the mosquitoes went to sleep (after there biggest meal no doubt). Shacharis was awesome! There where not many chairs around but I was 1 of the 3 lucky ones that got to sit on our still sleeping learning teacher. See you tomorrow, same time, same place & same socks.
Staff Gift & Yud Beis Tammuz Farbrengen
OK I'm back. This might sound weird, but I'm really serious. I always knew appreciation is very important, but I never knew the right way to express it. Anyways, today I found out... Garbage bags! That is the only way! so the question is, what am i talking about? The answer may be found inside those garbage bags. Funny no? not at all! 'cuz I actually sat there (in the A-Frame) for a FULL hour trying to find out! Okay, I’ll stop teasing you, today, the head staff gave out the staff gift (they said it was only the "gashmiusdikeh" one), why the garbage bags? three experts from bunk beis claimed: to make us think its color war (lets face it, they do have experience). What the gift was, is still way over my head. Anyways, the staff definitely did deserve the appreciation they were accorded. It was described as the ultimate gift for a Bochur – a bedroom set of laundry hampers and a lamp! I know, yeshivas all over will be seeing these fill the rooms…Also, today in learning classes, my learning teacher spoke to us about Yud Beis Tammuz; the Frierdiker Rebbe's efforts in spreading Yiddishkeit, his imprisonment, and finally, his release on Yud Beis Tammuz. The day ended off with a geshmakeh chassidishe farbrengen, where the h.c. spoke to us, we watched a video of the Rebbe, and we sang many niggunim. then, while we were dismissed to go to our bunks, the staff continued farbrenging between themselves. I wish they would let us stay, but they said we were to tired, and they were right.....zzz....zzzzz...oopps, that's how I ended off yesterday! o.k, i'll end off camp style: Good night campers, good night counselors, good night Machaneh Gan Yisroel.
At first, I thought they were doing construction in the shul. Banging, hammering, electrical saws etc. – these, together with sounds of a bunch of under-slept (I mean overtired) staff, coming from the shul, made me very suspicious. But after a word with the experts, I found out the flabbergasting news – its the staff play!!! We couldn’t even davven mincha in the shul ‘cuz it was full of wood, backdrops, paint, and……. Did I hear right?!?!! Forget it. This camp is altogether way over my head. I already pinched myself twice, but no, I’m not dreaming – they actually brought live , and I repeat live chickens and roosters in to camp! But that’s only a Halbeh Tzoroh! The next thing I know, I see this goat the size of a sheep, zooming out of the side door of camps van, with no less than 28 staff and both learning directors chasing the poor thing. They finally cornered it by the lake, and guess what, it went straight inside! (I never knew goats could swim.) I’m not exaggerating, the thing literally almost drowned , when B”H survival director Adam Epstein jumped in feet first, and saved it by it’s horns.By the way, I’m really sorry for getting sidetracked, The play was brilliant. At first I didn’t know what was flying (as usual), but then it downed upon me (ouch!) that they were acting out the story of “Shamil”, in a whopping 20 scenes of action, humor, emotion and talent !!! Oh, I forgot – While waiting for the play to begin, they showed us a hilarious video presentation, custom-prepared for us by our dedicated staff. It showed the past weeks happenings in a completely discombobulated Oifen, and ended off with a story of the Baal Shem tov and a Hoiro’oh B’poiel – it was Poshut amazing! Anyways lights-out is about to “commence” (I don’t know what that means, but it probably means “prepare Negel Vaser by you’re bed”, or something…), so, I’ll write to you next time.
Check out more videos at cgidetroit.com/video!
There really are a lot of strange "customs" in this place. I mean within a moment from when the head counselor aonnouncing about our ice skating trip - everyone in my bunk simultaneously shouted "I knew it the whole time"!!! (How? First of all, the head counselors were blowing their nose WAY too many times during shachris, Second of all - it rained during learning classes, Third of all - it had to be today because next Friday is laundry day!) The busses soon arrived, so I hopped on and went to "Ostego County Sportsplex".When we got there, I jumped right intom my skates and started flying around an olympic sized rink. It was humungous!!! At the rink, there was a constant chassidishe music blasting in the background which actually helped me keep my balance. We were then surprised by a super awesome, staff prepared indoor barbecue, which was also a good way to warm up a little after spending some time in what I call an oversized recreational freezer. We then (after a chayusdike bentching) jumped - head first - into this huge, real life swimming pool, which was surrounded with slides, umbrellas, and lots of other fun aspects. (I learnt that word from a bunkmate.)
We left at approximately nine o'clock PM, and my whole body is ready for some zzzzzzzzzzzzz.........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. My counselor said I should continue tomorrow.
You have no idea how much mesiras nesfesh I just had in order to write this to you! On motzei shabbos, when the head counselors tried to announce the winners of shabbos competition to let camp know who would be going on the extra stupendous trip - all the staff started singing aleph beis, mah nishtananah. Some of them even started falling from the rafters...!!! Shoosh, baruch hashem, I got out without a scratch. Anyways, before shabbos we were told we were going to have a camp wide bedside inspection to make sure that our beds, our cubbies, and our bunks are spotlessly cleaned and ready for shabbos.Friday night started out with a bang (OUCH!!!) I'm not sure why but Kabbolas Shabbos took a whopping 2 and a 1/2 hours long! It was kind of like a mixture of a davening and a farbrengen. Then the meal was another farbrengen, (this one with the food). The next day from when I woke up until Shamaryonkee, I practically learned the entire 5 books of mishnayos baal peh!!! I hope I will be able to find something for next week...
Shmaryonkee was the most ridiculous, hillarious, stupendous thing I have ever seen but I am sure there is more coming. I will write more later...
A gutt voch!!!
Ok, I finally got a moment to sit down and let you know about my day. The morning was regular, you know, at 4 am I was waiting at the tetherball “court” for my friends; came 5 am I ate 2 fruit roll ups; now its 6 am and I am still waiting! Finally the troops arrived, and the game started. Then... camp (finally!) woke up, line up, davening, breakfast (with delicious pancake flavored pancake syrup!), learning classes, and you know something, by lunch I was already able to see that there was something up the staffs sleeves (I could tell by their -???- were positioned ). Then we had sports and stuff until Mincha - KABOOM !!?! I knew it the whole time - a cookout!!! you should have seen the look on the face of the head counselor, when he noticed by my expression that I knew it all along.Right after Mincha, we were immediately dismissed to join our bunk by our cookout (each bunk had their own). For the menu, we had shmoiling hot smokefied hot dogs, real live cooked potatoes, and “hot dog beans” (my bunkmate told me that that is what they are called), plus, super fresh buns this way the hot dogs can be hamoytzy. My learning teacher joined us by our fire, and told us a beautiful story, then we sang our favorite camp songs, oh, it was just awesome..... I would love to write more but I have to run for Mariv, see ya tomorrow.
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