Machaneh Gilboa

Shabbat and Final Messibah

2011-12-24T17:58:00.000-08:00

Last night the Bogrim (10th graders) led machaneh in lighting the Hanukah candles and kabbalat Shabbat. Together we said the brachot and the Bogrim discussed the candles as being representative of the things that keep us warm in our day-to-day. Each boger/et explained what keeps them warm in their lives. After dinner we all stood up and packed together for Shabbat shira (singing) to sing Shabbat songs, Israeli songs, and American folk songs. Shira was loud, fun, and bursting with energy. The energy continued on to rikkud (Israeli dancing) as all of machaneh, young and old, gathered to dance traditional and new rikkud dances together.
Today has been a great and relaxing Shabbat complete with all of the events that make Shabbat at machaneh so unique and meaningful. We had chugim retzinim (discussion groups) on a variety of topics such as creative writing, American Zionism, and the Jewish and Israeli communities in the US, their connection to Israel, and how important it is to create a meaningful Jewish life. After that we had a great hyde park- a time for chanichim to express thoughts and ideas to all of their friends.
Now our bags are packed and Shabbat is coming to an end. But before we can leave we will be joining the characters of our hatzaga (the running skit throughout camp days) in their homeland of Bubbleaska for a super-fun dance party. Musical will follow – a chance for everyone to express their talents in song, dance, music and poetry, and later on in the evening - final messibah (party)!

Antiochus, Kangaroos, and Snoccer!

2011-12-23T13:27:00.000-08:00

During a Hanukah themed yom meyuchad (special day) yesterday, chanichim (campers) at Gilboa learned from some of history’s greatest non-violent leaders to successfully overthrow the invading Greeks! After their victory chanichim met in a “kangaroo court” and put King Antiochus on trial. The king was convicted of multiple counts of theft, perjury, and crimes against the Jewish people and was sentenced to being covered in toilet paper, splashed with water, and having pudding smeared all over her face. Having successfully completed their fight for freedom the chanichim were given the opportunity to accuse, try, and punish any madrichim for any other injustices. The night was full of pudding, water-splashing, funny accusations, and laughter. Finally, we finished the night with BoSho group lighting the Hanukah candles with the rest of machaneh.

Today has been a beautiful day with lots of snow and more sun! After avodah (work) and breakfast all of machaneh met and broke into teams for an awesome snoccer tournament! What is snoccer? Snoccer is a game played much like soccer…except it is played in ankle-deep snow, involves snow balls, has no real positions, and not very many rules. The tournament was a blast! Chanichim and madrichim made team names and cheers, ran through the snow, scored goals, threw snowballs, and enjoyed a sunny morning at machaneh!

Currently we are preparing for a relaxing and fun Shabbat together. Kvutzot are working hard learning brachot (prayers), making kishutim (decorations), writing the oneg (Shabbat skit), setting up the chaddar ochel (dining hall), and learning songs to sing for the rest of machaneh. When all of this is done everyone will take some time to relax and clean up and then Shabbat will begin. And all of this before an amazing final messibah (party) tomorrow night!

Shabbat shalom!

Celebrating Hanukah Gilboa-Style

2011-12-22T19:32:00.000-08:00

Machaneh has been beautiful and sunny with plenty of snow for sledding and snow balls.

Over the past day we have been doing many interesting and exciting activities based around the Hanukah story and traditions.

Yesterday all of machaneh came together for a fun holiday carnival that wound up leading to a conversation about the role of Jewish traditions in our lives and the expression of these traditions in our home communities. After the activity we all regrouped to light the Hanukah candles, this time led by the Chotrim (7th graders) and followed by a long list of festive Hanukah songs. After dinner, chanichim had a relaxing evening watching a movie together.

Today chanichim went on an investigation to discover what freedom can look like in their day-to-day lives, and the power they have to be who they want to be. Following this activity machaneh was taken over by the Greeks! Having being denied their right to practice their religion and live by their heritage the chanichim will need to learn from some of history’s greatest non-violent movers and shakers to overthrow their Greek oppressors and ultimately put Antiochus on trial!

Winter Camp 2011

2011-12-22T09:01:00.001-08:00

Hanukah and Beautiful Sunny (and snowy) Days!

2011-12-21T15:30:00.000-08:00

Machaneh Choref (winter camp) started with a bang!

After spending yesterday afternoon getting situated and moving in to our tzrifim (cabins) we gathered together to celebrate the first night of Hanukah. Earlier in the day everyone worked together to create a beautiful hanukiah.

Throughout Hanukah each kvutza (age-group) will get a night to light the candles for the rest of machaneh.

Last night Sayalim led us in the candle lighting, prayers, and Hanukah songs.

After dinner all of machaneh came together to meet the madrichim (counselors) in a fun and energetic game-show-themed activity. After being welcomed to the “studio audience” by our three enthusiastic hosts, chanichim (campers) took turns identifying funny facts about their madrichim. Chanichim were presented with two facts about an anonymous madrich. Kvutzot were then challenged to identify which madrich wrote the facts and which one was a lie. Correct answers won candy for everyone and breakout dance parties were enjoyed by all!

Today has been a beautiful and sunny day. We had chuggim (interest groups) ranging in topics from dance and meditation, to sledding and discussing various social movements.

After that we played a game of capture the flag in the snow, complete with snow angels and plenty of snowballs! The last two hours have been full of engaging peulot (educational activities), bonding with our kvutzot (age-groups), and of course, playing in the snow.

Exciting events on the horizon include another night of lighting the Hannukah candles together, a Hanukah themed yom meyuchad (special day- shhhh…it’s a secret), and a great shabbat at machaneh!

Chag sameach!

Winter Camp 2011 Started !

2011-12-20T21:07:00.000-08:00

Shalom Everyone,

We had a packed first day at camp, and we'll be writing more about it tomorrow. Meanwhile, here are some photos from our first evening together at camp, and our first night of Chanukah together.

The Mighty Chotrim

Sayalim singing

Sayalim light home made Chanukiya

Videos from camp

2011-08-08T22:38:00.000-07:00

It's a challenging task to take, edit and upload video during camp, but we wanted to share them with you even if camp is already over. We hope you're still watching the blog.

We told you several times about the Shabbat experience in our blog entries, via stories and pictures, and here is a beautiful short video to share how Shabbat is celebrated at Camp.

Yom Gilboa

For Those who visited the camp during visitors day - Yom Gilboa - it will be unforgettable, and a chance to see this again. For those who did not, it will be a chance to see this for the first time. Here are our chanichim performing at Yom Gilboa, one group at a time, and then the entire Camp performing two songs together.

... And did you know that Habonim Dror song 'Od Lo Gamarnu' was originally invented at Gilboa? well, here are the Summer 2011 Camp Gilboa Chanichim and Tzevet singing it

This last video was posted earlier on Facebook. It was prepared by our Camp Gilboa Summer 2011 tzevert, and it speaks for itself... We really should have posted it much much earlier, but the importance of the message is still true. Please take it to heart!

If you want to see these videos, you can go to http://youtube.com/campgilboa

Farewell Kayitz 2011

2011-08-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Families and Chanichim,

Three days ago, with many prolonged hugs and sad sad songs, we bade farewell to our Kayitz 2011 chanichim. The streaming tears testified to the deeply meaningful experiences the chanichim and madrichim created for themselves this summer. We spent five weeks building a loving kehila (community) together. It was hard to say goodbye.

To recap the final days of machane: We had challenging and fun tiyulim (hikes) followed by a kupa trip into Big Bear to see Harry Potter and eat ice cream. After that was our final Shabbat of the summer, with Musical and Medurah acts reaching new heights of greatness. As always, we ended with a bang on final Messiba (party). Ruach remained high until the last chanich stepped onto the bus.

Many thanks to all the chanichim, madrichim and families that made this summer happen. As the first summer at our new site, it really was a glorious chapter in Gilboa history. Congrats to the Bogrim for completing their time as chanichim and to the madatzim who will be Gilboa leaders in the future.

Of course, there are ways to extend our summer into the year. Go to the kenim and seminars to keep Gilboa in your life all year round!

Fall Seminar is on the way... scheduled to take take place in Los Angeles on October 21 - October 23. Check out our website for more details.

And Winter Camp is scheduled for December 20 - 25. Registration and details on the website.

Aleh V’Hagshem
Mazkirut Machane Gilboa

Musical & Wish Night

2011-08-01T08:42:00.000-07:00

Our last shabbat musicale everyone had a great time.

Our Bogrim:

Night before last at camp, we had our traditional "Wish Night", where
chanichim are granted what they wished for. Here's Asher, who will never
lose or forget a flashlight again.

Shira will be taller.

Mikey about to bathe in coca cola.

A dog for Oliver and Galia.

A book written for Josh, about Josh.

... And the story ends with a pie in the face.

Mayo and relish bath for Sarina.

Rowing contest for Liam and Dana.

A visit and special performance of Bob Dylan.

Summer Camp ... Winter Camp ...

2011-07-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

Summer camp is almost over, and we are already preparing for Winter camp!

Winter camp 2011 will take place this year between Tuesday, December 20th, and Sunday, December 25th, at Camp Mountain Chai; the same location we were at last year. This beautiful, kosher mountain retreat facility has comfortable winterized cabins and lodges, and lots of new areas to play in and explore.

Here are the Winter Camp flyer and registration form. We're looking forward to see all of you, and many of your friends.

Last Shabbat at camp

2011-07-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

Last shabbat at camp started like every other shabbat at camp by everyone getting ready for shabbat, cleaning their tzrifim (cabins) and dressing up for shabbat.

Chotrim boys won the "golden pinecone" for the cleanest cabin, and were
called to the toren to raise the flag and sing Hatikva with all the camp, in preparation for Shabbat.

They are clearly proud of their win... :)

Everyone are dressed up for shabbat...

Sayalim:

Chotrim:

Shobo:

Bogrim & Bogrot:

We walk to the lake to watch the sunset and prepare for Shabbat:

As we reach the lake, we have an opportunity for everyone to have our Shabbat hugs, and meet our camp sieblings.

After Shabbat dinner, we have our Shabbat shira (singing) and rikud (dancing)

Shabbat Shalom !

Camp Gilboa - Wandering (the movie)

2011-07-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

Wandering - Created by Itamar and Kara, as part of the The Five Year Gilboa Pledge Campaign

Yom Meyuhad, Revo and more...

2011-07-27T09:46:00.000-07:00

We’ve had intensely fun last couple of days at Gilboa. It’s been a lot of magic, fun and challenging education during second session.

Yom Meyuchad (Special Day) started the session off with a bang. The madrichim created a post-apocolyptic consumerist dystopia populated by cannibalistic zombies. Chadar Ochel turned into a wasteland. As the day progressed, the chanichim learned about the dangers of consumption and developed the tools to create their own sustainable society.

Madrichim were not such a beautiful sight for the eyes. They really got into character...

The leader ordered everyone to go out and consume as much as possible.

Sunscreen happens even in Wasteland

"Use as much oil as possible" Station

"Consuming Mashmallows" Stations

Before lunch, the "Leader" announced that all resources have run out, and the population now had to compete for them. One of the groups did so at a mud-gaga game.

In the afternoon, after society had reached the deepest desperation and deprivation, we started thinking how we repair our society and build a better world. Everyone showered, wore clean clothes, and went together to the lake.

On the lake, madrichim in kayaks/stations held tools to repair and rebuild the world. The chanichim had to kayak to the stations, and get the tools.

Once they had the tools, they gathered in groups, and discussed how these tools will be used, and how an ideal society should look like.

"Revo" - Revolution was another highlight, with the madatzim taking over to lead an Imagination-themed special day. The day was a vibrant collage of various familiar characters from Pixar, Calvin and Hobbes, Where the Wild Things Are, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It was amazing to see this highly capable madatz kvutzah flexing their hadracha (leadership) muscles.

Madatz taking over hitkansut boker (morning assembly):

Chanichim entered a colorful chadar ochel, and were treated to a special sprinkly and colorful breakfast.

Drawing on tables at breakfast. The tables were a whole world of imagination by the end of each meal.

At different stations around camp, chanichim played different games. Here, with Gilly, trying to teach her chanichim how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich from scratch (literally), and not to be so literal.

Tochniot Erev have stepped up a notch in terms of both kessem (magic) and educational content. One night was dedicated to an intensive exploration of Islamophobia with a concluding discussion about the Arab Spring.

Our tochnit erev last night was an import from Habonim Dror UK (thanks to our resident Brit, Jonny). The Madrichim performed what is known as the Conscience Play, a short dramatic piece that explores the suppression of conscience in the Holocaust.

If that all wasn’t enough for you, we’re getting ready for tiyul today....”

And, a very important event happened to our MBIers in Israel today... they received their chultza (shirt) ! Congratulations ! We're very proud of you.

Yom Ragil (Ordinary Day) at Camp

2011-07-25T15:15:00.000-07:00

Yom Ragil (ordinary day) is one where we get up, have breakfast, and go to our chugim (interest groups), have lunch in the Chadar Ochel, and continue with the rest of the day activities. Sounds like a normal day, right? Well, we make every Yom Ragil a special day.

See and judge for yourselves...

At lunch time, Zak called everyone "LUNCH AT THE CHADAR OCHEL !!!" with his loudspeaker. And, in a magical way, swarming from their hideouts, everyone came out and congregated in front of Chadar Ochel (dining hall).

Without some singing, Camp Gilboa doesn't do anything. So, we SING before we enter Chadar Ochel:

We than go into Chadar Ochel, but before we eat, we must sing some more, while standing on the chairs. Why? because this is how we do it !

So, you would think that after all this singing everyone would just sit and eat quietly, right?

Well, not so quickly... :)
As you know it's summer time, and it's very important to have everyone well hydrated, so our first "task" every time we eat is to have a water-jug tournament. How many jugs of water will a table be able to consume?

Some folks take it to the next level, and manage to get as many as 20 jugs for the table and drink all them, and broke the outstanding record, and even do some push-ups in between. Oh, how much fun !

After lunch, it's CHOFESH (free time). Some go to the lake and spend time on the kayaks. Not before they put on sunscreen and safety jackets.

Afternoon, we have KIBOOD (snack) time. There's a short performance and everyone is very relaxed.

Well, almost everybody. Why is our Rosh, Zak, dancing in this weird way? You'll have to ask your kids about it. It's a camp secret. And what happens in camp, stays in camp!

Relax, Zak, everything is OK !

Sunday was a bit more special, since we said goodbye to our two youngest chanichim: Maya and Aviv. They were part of the Nitsanim program that participate in camp for 5 days. We loved them a lot and are looking forward to see them again!

Here's Maya getting a goodbye from Gili:

Aviv is saying goodbye to Sarah, Eden and Eylon

Shabbat at camp

2011-07-24T23:04:00.000-07:00

For those who are reading our blog, you already know how shabbat looks and feels like.

But let us describe it again for those who joined us for second session:

We dress up, walk up to the lake and get ready for shabbat in our groups and with our friends.

We than enjoy shabbat evening in shira (singing) and rikud (dancing).

Shabbat afternoon is Musicale time, when we have great performances from all around, and as you can see from the pictures, the audience is excited.

A special gift to Machaneh Gilboa

2011-07-24T22:46:00.000-07:00

On Friday, Camp Gilboa received a gift from the other six Habonim Dror camps in North America - Moshava (Mosh), Na'aleh, Galil, Gesher, Tavor and Miriam.

Throughout the summer, Habonim's central shaliach, Julian Resnick, and his
wife, Orly, have been travelling and visiting all Habonim camps in North
America. In each camp, chanichim, madrichim and other staff took part in
putting together a beautiful mosaic designed by Orly, that connects the
seven youth movement camps in North America. The mosaic was presented as a
gift for Gilboa, to celebrate its new home.

In a ceremony this Friday, Maya, the youngest chanicha this summer, and
Norm, the president of Gilboa's board, unveiled the mosaic in Gilboa's new
chadar ochel (dining room).

Tochnit Erev (Evening Program)

2011-07-21T19:30:00.000-07:00

So, what is Tochnit Erev all about?
It's about finishing the day being together, in somewhat of a more relaxing note, most of the times...

Sometimes we have one of the groups perform for us.

Sometimes we get to hear a story from our madrich, or if this is one of "those" days it will be our Rosh - Zak - telling a story for the whole machaneh; and then there are the special nights when our Shaliach - Elay - is telling one of HIS stories - that's the most special Tochnit Erev !

Here is a sneak into our Tochnit Erev, enjoy... !

Second session started ...

2011-07-20T07:11:00.000-07:00

Another quick update... It’s the first day of second session and kessem - magic - is in the air! We were all thrilled when the new chanichim arrived. After settling into their tzirifim (cabins), all of machane proceeded to lunch, learned the camp rules and gathered for the first ruach-filled hitkansut erev (evening gathering) of the session. In the tochnit erev (evening program), everyone met the madrichim (counselors) and vanquished pessimism!

Tonight, chanichim are having asephot (meetings) to discuss their chugim (interest groups) and avodah (work) groups placement for the session. Looking forward to our first full day tomorrow.....

Second session two kids arrived safely to camp

2011-07-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

We are writing to let you know of the safe arrival of the buses to camp.

Chanichim were greeted with shira (singing) and a lot of ruach (spirit), and they are now busy getting to know the camp, the madrichim (counselors) and each other.

Farewell to first session

2011-07-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

Today we said a bittersweet farewell to our first session chanichim. They all made it home safely and on schedule. We want to give our warmest thanks to all the chanichim, Madrichim and parents who made 1st session happen. It was was an amazing two and a half weeks!

A highlight from the last week was the Alice in Wonderland-themed Bocoup that Bogrim ran on Wednesday. The Bogrim (oldest kids) took over to lead machaneh through a magical journey paralleling that of the classic children’s story. Thanks to Bogrim for stepping up and demonstrating their amazing potential to be future Gilboa leaders.

We ended 1st session with our traditional Final Messiba (party), filled with dancing, bounce-house jumping, fortune telling and ice-cream eating. As always, final mess was a great success (and only a little bit messy).

We are now finishing our first day of inter-session, a fun and relaxing couple of days for the chanichim who stay for both sessions. The Madatzim are running inter-session under the theme of Cowboys vs. Aliens and they’re doing an impressive job. They transformed the chadar ochel into an intergalactic dining hall and ran a peulah about cliques and alienation in school. Keep up the good work, Madatzim!!

We are going to miss all the chanichim that were here during 1st session and we hope to see them again. The Ken (weekly events) Winter Camp and Reunion Seminars are structures through which chanichim can continue their involvement in the Gilboa community. We’ll be in contact with you about year-round Gilboa programming....

Shabbat Fun

2011-07-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

Seems like there's always a good time to have a group picture:

Shabbat is all about fun, in the pool:

... and in the Musical event, where everyone is welcome to perform, and the audience is welcoming:

Special performance by our Mazkirut, saying goodbye to our session 1 campers that are leaving us tomorrow...

Last Shabbat for Session 1

2011-07-16T00:43:00.000-07:00

Another Shabat at camp. Special in its own way. This shabbat is the last shabat for session 1.

You'll see below our walk to the lake, to receive shabbat at sunset, and a special shabbat performance by Chotrim.

This is our Bogrim group ready for their shabbat:

We have at camp many brothers, sisters, and families, here they are...

Shabbat Shalom !

Alice In Wonderland

2011-07-14T23:45:00.000-07:00

Today was our traditional BoCoup day.

BoCoup = Bogrim Coup

Our Bogrim took over the camp today, and were in charge of running the camp program for the entire day. The subject of the day was Alice In Wonderland.

Events of the last few days...

2011-07-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

Here are some more updates from the past few days:

We took advantage of our environment with our first tiyul (hike) on Tuesday. Several hiking trails are directly to connected to our campsite, so the beautiful wilderness is right at our fingertips! We hiked l’phi shichva (by age group) and returned home in time for a tochnit erev in which all of machane went on a Tikun Olam (repairing the world) journey around the world. It was truly a day of journeys!

We had our second Shabbat with the traditional Rosh story, schnitzel, soda, after-dinner shira (singing) and rikkud. Musical and medurah reached new levels of greatness this week, with all kids from Sayalim to Madatz performing songs and skits. During chugim on Yom Shabbat we began the Gilboa Journal, a compilation of creative writing and art done by all chanichim.

Sunday was Yom Gilboa and it was a great success, if we do say so ourselves. We all enjoyed meeting the parents of our chanichim and showing them our new campsite. Parents got to experience the beauty of Bluff Lake by kayaking with their kids. Later, each kvutsah performed a shir (song) for the parents. The performances culminated in the whole machane performing ‘Splendor Bridge’ and ‘Ani ve Atah’ with accompaniment from our talented orchestra. A few eyes were glazing over by the end.

Stay tuned for more posts....

Yom Gilboa was amazing !

2011-07-10T21:42:00.000-07:00

Today was the very first ever Yom Gilboa / Parent’s Visitor Day at our new home at Camp Bluff Lake and it was a great day.

Zak, Noah, Miya, Elay, Dalit and all of the Tzevet (including the Tzevet Mitbach) did a wonderful job organizing and putting on the day.

The camp was beautiful, and the chanichim & their madrichim are really enjoying their new surroundings! And many recent and not as recent alumni joined us to make the day even more special.

Here are the pictures!

Thanks to David for taking the pictures and posting them.

Shabat Musical

2011-07-10T02:42:00.000-07:00

Shabat Musical is a tradition Shabbat evening's beautiful performance of music, singing and poetry. The audience loved it !

Chugim (activities) and Sadnaot (workshops)

2011-07-08T08:55:00.000-07:00

Seems like we've been talking too much about the nature, the camp site, and the surroundings. So, it's time to tell you what we do at camp every day. Well every "regular" day, or what we call "Yom Ragil".

We have the following Chugim (activities, or interest groups):
Mesima Sodit (Secret Mission)
Dance
Sports
Soul Train
Mad Science
Childhood
Art

And we have the Sadnaot (workshops):
Lake
Pool
Teva (nature)
Zman Shaliach

You already heard about the quality time we have with our Shaliach, but we'll find an opportunity to tell you more soon.

Today, we have for you a some pictures from Chug Childhood, where the kids are making ice-cream:

Chug Mad Science. Here the kids are involved in making a parachute, and after they finish, they launch it from "Launch Site":

We wanted to write to you about our Sadnat Teva (Nature Workshop). And you'd expect that we would write about the woods, and the lake, and the birds and the bees... (no, it's not what you think!). But, we decided that what you will have a fun moment to see is the camp dog - Benny - running back to camp, when Sadnat Teva is over.

The last workshop for today is Sadnat Lake, and there's really not much to add to the beautiful pictures. It's so wonderful, and relaxing, and we make it fun and safe! Enjoy the pictures, we enjoy the activities!!!

We're getting ready for Yom Gilboa, (also known as Visitor Day). Hope to see you there. Excitement is building up !

Tiyul (hike)

2011-07-06T23:31:00.000-07:00

We can't stop admiring the beautiful surroundings of our new campsite, located in a natural forest, and has an abundance of amazingly awe-inspiring nature trails.

Getting ready for Tiyul is no small feat: hats, water, sunscreen, and a lot of Ruach (good spirit)

... and on we go, and soon enough we take some rest too ...

... and we are back home, to our camp.

Yala Balagan !

About strangers and animals...

2011-07-05T21:21:00.000-07:00

Here are some more of the highlights from the fun-filled activities of the last few days.

The chinuch (education) theme of the summer is the ‘Ger’ which means ‘Stranger’ or ‘foreigner’. The word appears throughout the Torah in such passages as Exodus 22:20: ‘You shall not wrong a ger or oppress him for you were gerim in the land of Egypt.’ Throughout the summer, the chanichim will explore how they as Jews relate to Gerim in the world. Tzevet is implementing this theme in various modes, from the ongoing Hatzagah or Skit (called Gary the Ger) to peulot shichva (educational activities with your age group) to tochniot erev (evening activities).

The last few tochniot erev have been both wildly fun and thought-provoking. On Sunday night we had Animal Night, with all of machaneh learning how to be animals and staging a rebellion against an evil land developer. On Monday Night we had America Night which was partly a celebration of the 4th of July and partly a critique of nationalism and contradictions within American culture. After that, we had a late night Aliyah Bet where we payed tribute to the Righteous Gentiles who helped Jews escape from Europe to Palestine in the 30s and 40s.

In other news, the chanichim are having a great time in their Chugim (interest groups). During lunch on Monday, Chug Dance surprised all of machane with an impromptu dance performance.

Congrats to Bracha and Shira, the last two winners of Milim shel hayom (Adir and Phadicha)!

Avodah at Camp

2011-07-05T13:33:00.000-07:00

A brief report to share with you two aspects of camp: work (avodah) and fun.

Once again, it's worth mentioning that every bit of avodah is taking place in our own new home, our own camp. So, sanding tables, cleaning the yard from weeds, or simply keeping the camp in good order just feels right!

There's also plenty of time for fun. Here are Chotrim practicing Ninja

Shabat

2011-07-03T01:34:00.000-07:00

Everybody loves Saturday Night! We just finished our first Shabbat of the summer with Havdallah under the stars and some rousing Medurah performances. Our new camp proved to be the perfect place for a serene Shabbat, with our Rosh Camp Zak telling his weekly story next to the stunning lake.

The first tochnit erev was an opening ceremony of the home warming party for our new campsite. The chanichim all created their own miniature tekasim (ceremonies) to express their excitement and appreciation for all the new opportunities this site offers. Among those are the ability to kayak on the lake, which the chotrim did the other day!

Congrats to Rotem and Eran, the chanichim who won the first two ‘Milot shel Hayom’ (‘Words of the Day’). Every day, the Shaliach Elay teaches a new word and offers a special prize--a shirt with that word stenciled on it--to the chanich who uses that word in the most creative way throughout the day. Eran won ‘Yala’ and Rotem won ‘Balagan’. Yala Balagan!

The Mitbach staff has been working hard to bring delicious, nutritious and kosher meals to everyone at camp. Tonight we had our traditional Saturday night hamburgers, always a winner. Other highlights have included curry chicken, enchiladas and fritatas for breakfast! Todah rabah Mitbach staff!

Celebrating First Shabat at Camp

2011-07-02T02:32:00.000-07:00

Celebrating our first Shabat at camp was a wonderful and joyous experience, that started early Friday by preparing Kishooting (ornaments) for Shabat.

Our tzevet mitbach (kitchen crew) is also getting ready for Shabat

In the afternoon, after cleaning the tzrifim (cabins), everyone dressed for Shabat, and got ready to accept Shabat. But just before doing that, we took our a picture of each of our Shchavot (age groups)

Sayalim = Sayarim + Amelim

Chotrim:

BoSho = Bonim + Shomrim

Bogrim:

Madatz:

... and we should not forget our lovely Mazkirut:

We were now ready... hand in hand, we started walking thru the trees towards our lake...

... and we finally arrived to the shore of the lake, just before sunset, ready to watch it as it brings the Shabat with it.

What a magical moment...

After Shabat dinner, we celebrated with singing and dancing

Shabat Shalom !

The first day...

2011-06-30T23:54:00.000-07:00

A lot of sun, a lot of fun, so much happiness. What more can the kids ask for?

All the kids are doing fine!
Happy with their kvutza (group) and madrichim (counselors).

We even had our first performance in the new amphitheater.
Wow! It's so, exciting, everything is NEW in our NEW camp!

For all of our Jewish moms out there, we have some excellent news: our NEW mitbach (kitchen) is working flawlessly, and all the food is prepared fresh and from scratch. It's the "Camp Gilboa Food Revolution".

Summer Camp 2011 Started !

2011-06-30T01:52:00.000-07:00

Our first blog entry is short, to tell you that everyone arrived to camp safely.

Chanichim (campers) were greeted with shira (singing) and a lot of ruach (spirit), and spent the rest of the day getting to know the camp, their madrichim (counselors) and each other.

There's no question that this summer is going to be more exciting than ever before at Gilboa's new home in Camp Bluff Lake, on the beautiful mountain, by the lake.

We will make sure to share our excitement and experiences right here. Stay tuned for more coming soon...

Camp Gilboa Tzevet 2011

Sara's Dad's Post

2010-12-29T08:14:00.000-08:00

Shalom Gilboa!

It rarely happens that a parent gets to spend a few hours with us during a regular day at camp. This winter, Sara's dad had to pick her up for a Bat-Mitzvah, and got to see Gilboa in action. I asked him to write about what he saw, and here it is:

My friend Ron and I set out from West LA on Friday morning around 7:15 for Angelus Oaks. We feared the worst--a long, traffic-ridden, snow-filled, chains-on-tires drive that would try my patience and technical skills. What a pleasant surprise it was then when two hours and fifteen minutes later--after an effortless, chain-free ride-- we pulled into a parking spot at Alpine Meadows, where the Gilboa winter game was located. Our mission was to pick up my daughter, Sara, and return before Shabbat to join in the bat-mitzvah of a dear family friend.

The even greater surprise was what we discovered when we walked into the chadar ochel (dining hall). The room was bursting with energy, enthusiasm, and above all, fun. I've been hearing for almost thirty years from my wife, a second-generation Habonimnik (Workshop 29), about how special and intense the fun is at Habonim camp. But I had never really seen it up close. In fact, our daughter Sara was having so much fun at winter camp that part of her really wanted to stay rather than come home. As a compromise, we hung around for another hour during which time we got a chance to see what was going on.

As I reflected on it on the drive back, there were three aspects of the particular kind of fun at Habonim that seem unique. First, Habonim is a youth movement, where youth lead youth. How rare is it in our day and age, of constantly hovering Helicopter Parents, to have kids leading, learning from, and living with other kids! It was beautiful to see high-school age madrichim (counselors) interacting so naturally and playfully with their chanichim (campers).

Second, kids, and especially the teenagers there, were remarkably free of inhibitions. We happened to show up on a regular old Friday morning for breakfast, and what we witnessed was a series of spontaneous, goofy, and hilarious skits, songs, and chants that engaged everyone in camp, from the youngest to the oldest. No social tension, no awkwardness, no exclusion. We were left to ask ourselves: does this happen every day, at every meal? Third, there seemed to be a glorious lack of concern about structured time. In this day and age, kids often need their own personal assistants to arrange their schedules. But not here. Breakfast slowly stretched into hitamlut boker, a time for physical exercise, but actually an opportunity to bust out the dancing--at 10am in morning! Kids young and old joined in, gleefully and, again, without inhibition. After about a half-hour of dancing and hanging out, we packed up Sara and headed back home. She was sad to leave, but proud to have made new friends, learned new songs and games, and been part of the special experience that her mother has spoken of so often and with such fondness. It was incredible to see first-hand.

David Myers (father of Sara Stolzenberg-Myers, husband of Nomi Stolzenberg).

2010-12-25T23:21:00.000-08:00

Shalom Gilboa Families

We are finishing our Shabbat up here at Machaneh Choref and getting ready to head home tomorrow.

We started our Shabbat on Friday afternoon with a long chofesh (free time) with tzrif (cabin) cleaning, showering, and musical jamming. All nice and clean we gathered for Hatikva and broke into our mishpachot (families) by ezor (region) to share our experiences from the last days. Kabbalat Shabbat is a wonderful time at machaneh, and this winter is no exception. Gilboa’s never seen such explosive ruach (spirit) during Shabbat shira (singing), and the rikud (Israeli dancing) went on for hours.

Shabbat morning in Gilboa is a peaceful time for chanichim (campers) to play board games, read books, and rest. After a late breakfast, a fast-forward skit of the life of Moses presented our torah portion discussion of the week. Chugim (interest groups) followed, and chanichim could choose between fun ones like Snoccer (soccer in the snow), music, or more serious discussion groups.

After lunch and Hyde Park, where every chanich has an opportunity to speak and be heard by everyone at Gilboa, chanichim brought their bags into the chadar ochel (dining hall) in preparation for tomorrow’s early departure. As chanichim were preparing their musical acts and skits for the evening performances, we learned of a potential power outage due to a problem with the generator. We decided to have a big sleepover in the MLC, a large carpeted room adjacent to the dining hall, for safety. Everyone brought in their sleeping bags and made themselves cozy. The evening brought us to Musical, where chanichim shared their talents in music, singing, drama, and poetry. We ended the evening with a kumzitz around the fireplace and ice cream. The problem with the generator was fixed later in the evening, and younger chanichim are now going to sleep to the sounds of guitars and older chanichim singing around the fireplace.

It was an amazing Machaneh Choref from beginning to end, full of snow and inspiration. Thank you Gilboa families for sending your kids to us for this week. They really are amazing, and without them it would just be a bunch of snow and bored madrichim.

Machaneh Choref is going great!

2010-12-24T12:29:00.000-08:00

Shalom Gilboa Families

We have been having an amazing time the past few days up here at Machaneh Choref, packed with snowy fun and inspiring activities.

Going with the theme of Melting Apathy, we had an amazing peula broken up into age groups where we discussed Tikkun Olam as Jewish resistance to apathy. Each age group had a separate age appropriate activity to explore and discuss this concept from many different angles. The climax came with a tekkes (ceremony) with the whole machaneh, where each kvutzah came together to rally around a common cause and vow to take action to repair this world as Jews, as youths, and as members of Habonim Dror. It was a powerful tekkes for everyone involved, and incredibly inspiring for the chanichim. They engaged in social issues and discussed how to take action and not be apathetic, they are an amazing groups of kids.

Fortunately, the storm passed and left a ton of snow. We have had blue skies, and warm sunshine the last few days, making machaneh gorgeous, and perfect conditions for sledding- which we have been doing a lot! Check out the pictures.

The other night we relaxed with hot coco and cookies and watched the Disney film “Up” all together. The film is great and loaded with deeper meaning of taking ownership over ones life and acting to fulfill ones dreams. Everyone enjoyed.

We have been having many dance parties and energy is high and good. We are all very much looking forward to a Gilboa Shabbat, always a highlight of machaneh.

Expect an email with more information about return home on Sunday. Until then, Shabbat Shalom and much love from Machaneh Choref and all the Gilboa chanichim and madrichim.

2010-12-23T21:56:00.000-08:00

Yesterday camp had lots of fresh snow. Today the sun came out and it was a great opportunity to play in the snow. Here is a set of pictures that show how fun it is.

You can view and download the full set of hi-res pictures also thru picasa with this link
( or copy and paste this to your browser in case the link doesn't work: http://picasaweb.google.com/buisness.gilboa/WinterCamp2010?authkey=Gv1sRgCJaY5fGG59vkHw&feat=directlink# )

Zman Sheleg (Snow Time)

Machaneh Choref (winter camp) 2010

2010-12-22T17:37:00.000-08:00

Shalom Gilboa Families,

We are all here safe and sound with lots and lots of snow! It started snowing the day we arrived and hasn’t stopped. Lots of snowmen, snowball fights and beautiful scenery for us.

Yesterday we all arrived to a hot pizza lunch and soft snow falling. The day continued with orientation, and tochnit erev (evening program). The theme of this machaneh choref (winter camp) is “Snow What? – Melting Apathy”, with several activities throughout the week dedicated to talking about apathy, the role it plays in our lives, and how we can step out of it and engage both locally and globally. Last night’s tochnit erev consisted of the chanichim (campers) working through a series of fun challenges to free the madrichim (counselors) from the spell of Mr. Apathy, and imprisoning him for the rest of machaneh.

We woke up this morning to a fresh blanket of snow and made the most of it with a machaneh wide game of snow capture the flag/ snowball fight on the sports field. After taking a camp picture we continued our focus on the machaneh theme with a machaneh wide peula (activity). In three different stations chanichim explored the three ingredients of apathy: fear, ignorance, and privilege. In the Privilege Station different groups received different quantities of cookies, and had to explore how this affected them personally, as a part of a group, and the relationships between the groups. At the Ignorance Station each person received an ingredient, without knowledge of what other chanichim received, and had to figure out a way to build a gingerbread house. They had to overcome the barrier in order to cooperate and manage to build it together. A game of tag emphasized overcoming fear in order to create a functioning society. Experiencing these concepts and how they exist in the world was incredibly powerful and interesting for everyone, and lots of conversations followed.

In the afternoon chanichim engaged in chugim (interest groups) ranging from dance, drama, board games, and more. Dinner is soon to follow.

Much love.

Machaneh Gilboa

Goodbye to 2010

2010-08-10T16:17:00.000-07:00

This weekend was our final Shabbat of Gilboa 2010. Things got rolling on Friday with our usual Shabbat celebration: a procession to the migrash sport, a song from the shomrim, a story from Kara and finally "Hachama Merosh" – a song welcoming the Sabbath queen – as we faced the setting sun.

Saturday each kvutza got together for their final meeting of the summer. In the evening we had what may be Gilboa's longest ever Medura – our time for skits, songs, and other performances in front of the campfire. Groups of campers stepped forward, one after the other, singing and acting until it was time to go to our final mesiba – the party at the end of the summer. The chadar ochel became a packed dance hall, with moon bounces, fortune telling, and ice cream sundaes offering diversions.

Sunday morning the chanichim jumped on their buses and headed home amid hugs, songs, and some tears.

Thankfully there is always the ken – our year-round activities – to reunite us with each other. Lookout for flyers and emails about ken events and we'll see you there. Thanks for a great summer!

Rome Meyuchad, Boombamella, Wish Night

2010-08-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, we celebrated the overthrow of tyranny and the democratization of Rome. However, the evening of Rome Meyuchad left the chanichim with the question of how Rome’s expansionist policies ultimately affected the world around them as well as Rome itself.

The following day was a yom ragil with a twist! In the afternoon, we were at Boombamella — an Israeli festival on the beaches of the Mediterranean! Chanichim were lead through guided meditations and decorated with body paint designs. To cool down, the chanichim could soak in a mud bath or take a dip in the pool. The vibe of Boombamella was fun, relaxed, and very new age!

The highlight of Thursday was Wish Night — the night when the wishes of chanichim come true! Wishes ranged anywhere from a Gilboa style deck of cards to flying to becoming pink. As each chanich received their wish, the other chanichim cheered them on. When the delivery of the wish was complete, the whole machaneh proclaimed, “Your wish has been granted!”

Right now, all of the chanichim are in the middle of peulat shichva, and later today, we will ring in our last Shabbat of the summer as the sun sets over the migrash sport. Shabbat shalom!

BoCoup and Yom Meyuhad (special day)

2010-08-03T16:53:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, Bogrim, our oldest chanichim, finally got a chance to run the program they had been planning all session. It was an almost full day activity based on the works of Doctor Seuss. The Evil Grinch brainwashed other Doctor Seuss characters to work for him and prevent all the chanichim from getting any candy, and it was the chanichim's duty to un-brainwash them. They had to work together to overthrow The Grinch's corrupt leadership. Along the way the chanichim got to meet famous Doctor Seuss characters like the Lorax, the Cat in the Hat, Yertle the Turtle, Thing One and Thing Two, The Snitches, and many more. Stations included firing arrows at water balloons, piecing together limericks, and a massive water balloon fight. The day ended with a machaneh-wide dance party, bonfire, and of course, lots of candy.

You'd think machaneh couldn't get any crazier, but today the chanichim woke up to ancient Rome - built in a day - out of cardboard and art supplies. Not only do we have a live statue, but there is a functioning aqueduct coming out of the wall. Divided into various classes (Politicians, Priests, Merchants and Gladiators), the chanichim will have to learn how to come together and create a better Rome for all!!

Gilboa Chugim (interest groups)

2010-08-02T12:53:00.000-07:00

Chug Wacky Maz Sport

Chug Benjamin Button

Chug Jammin'

Chug Be The Change

Chug Time Travel

Bocoup - Bogrim's big day

2010-08-01T20:24:00.000-07:00

Bogrim getting ready to start Bocoup

Reciting poems to defeat the evil grinch The red team

The yellow team

Revolution and Tiyul

2010-07-30T12:06:00.000-07:00

We’ve had an amazingly busy week at Gilboa!

The day after visitor’s day, the Madatz kvutsa decided they were tired of being left out of tzevet (staff) planning, so they staged a revolution and kicked the madrichim out of camp! The chanichim walked into breakfast to find that they had been transported to the Garden of Eden. The trees were in bloom and the water was crisp and fresh as the chanichim enjoyed a meal of fresh fruit, yogurt, pancakes, and froot loops. The chanichim remained in paradise until lunch, when they ate from the Tree of Knowledge. After expulsion from the garden, the chanichim learned to survive in a barren wasteland by playing games and building up the community. In their kvutsot, the chanichim explored ideas of ignorance versus knowledge, as well as the difference between competitive and shared learning; ultimately, they came to the conclusion that sharing knowledge is more synergetic and positive. The revolution ended with a machaneh-wide game of human Stratego to practice working together.

Our only yom ragil (regular day) of the week followed Revo, because this Wednesday and Thursday were Tiyul (hike) days! On Wednesday, the chanichim set out on various tiyulim. The length of the hike varied according to the age of the chanichim. While the Amelim, Psycho, and Shomrim took a trail from South Fork to Poopout Hill, the Bonim and the Bogrim hiked five miles beyond Poopout Hill to another trailhead off of Highway 38. The Madatz set out on a two days hike to the top of Old Greyback—the tallest mountain in Southern California! Everyone spent the night under the stars at the “Pa Pa Tuchus” campsite before heading to swim in Big Bear Lake the following day. We spent Thursday at Big Bear Lake playing card games, tossing around Frisbees, digging moats in the sand, and splashing around in the water! Exhausted but happy, we returned to the warm food and showers at machaneh. In the evening, the whole machaneh cuddled in sleeping bags in the chadar ochel while we watched “The Princess Bride.”

Now we are getting ready to ring in Shabbat with clean tzrifim, showers, and some necessary rest and relaxation!

2010-07-26T23:03:00.000-07:00

This weekend brought with it the first Shabbat of second session. Shabbat is always one of the most special parts of the week. Our schedule is completely revamped for Shabbat in order to create an atmosphere of relaxation and study. We start each Shabbat morning with a guided meditation, a discussion of the Parasha (weekly torah portion) and a series of chugim (clubs) on various topics that lend themselves to engaged, intellectual conversation. Shabbat peaks with Havdallah – a spiritual experience in which the whole camp looks at the stars while listening to music and reflecting on their week. We sing and enjoy each other’s company before returning to the rest of the week.
This week, the rest of the week started with visitors' day. Parents, family and friends came to Gilboa to share the camp experience (and plenty of food from home). The day was filled with singing, conversation, swimming and fun. For the camp-wide performance the chanichim sang Yachad for the visitors. Then the visitors were invited to sing Hallelujah, along with the chanichim. Afterward, chanichim were sad to see their parents leave, but happy to get back to focusing on their friends and on the schedule of camp. For photos of visitors' day, please follow the link: http://tinyurl.com/visday2010

Shabbat At Machane Gilboa

2010-07-23T20:54:00.000-07:00

Shabbat

Rikudei Am (Israeli Dancing)

2010-07-23T20:35:00.000-07:00

Amelim (4th and 5th grade) on the bridge

Gilboa's Avoda (work) groups

Kishutim L'Shabbat (decorations for Shabbat)

Nagarut (Carpentry)

Knitting Water Bottle Straps

Second session photos

2010-07-23T20:29:00.000-07:00

By the Tzrif (cabin)

Bonim (9th grade) and madatz by the pool

A lovely welcome for Shomrim (8th graders)

T'sha B'av

2010-07-22T22:07:00.000-07:00

Last night we commemorated the holiday T'sha B'av. Traditionally a day of mourning and sadness, we used this holiday as an opportunity to show the chanichim that we can give meaning to holidays in different ways. For the first half of the Tochnit Erev (Evening Program), we did a round robin of tableaus (frozen scenes) depicting tragic events in Jewish history that are traditionally remembered on this holiday. Then we went through the round robin again, but this time the scenes had changed into acts of resistance and hope that came out of those events. Each tableau had a madrich explaining the scene. For instance, Christallnacht became the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, while the Spanish Inquisition became the secret practice of Judaism in Catholic Spain. After this Double Round Robin, we divided into groups and talked about different events that one might choose to add to the commemoration and how each event could change the meaning of the holiday. Some groups said they would include the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin while others chose the capture of Gilad Shalit. The evening was full of interesting and meaningful learning and conversation.

End of First Session, Beginning of Second Session

2010-07-21T21:21:00.000-07:00

Gilboa's first session came to a climactic close over the weekend. After a week that included World Cup celebrations, a late night Aliyah simulation, and Yom Israel, we said goodbye to half our campers. Thursday night was "Gilboa Idol" in which Gilboa's finest performed for each other and tried to gain the admiration of three off-kilter judges. A relaxing Shabbat followed before our final messiba (party) on Saturday night – a celebration of the session with dancing, a moon bounce, and a screening of Free Willy.

Sunday morning, we said goodbye to our first session friends and the thirty remaining chanichim embarked on intersession – a spy themed 2 day adventure with the madatz (junior counselors). The kids played a soap hockey match in the chader ochel, watched a couple of movies, and launched a massive game of capture the flag. Monday night, the madatz led a Tisha B'Av tekes (ceremony), singing and lighting candles with chanichim.Tuesday morning they greeted their friends arriving for second session from Irvine, San Diego, LA, the Bay Area, and even Connecticut. After getting to know the other chanichim (campers) in their shichvah (age group), the chanichim toured different areas of machaneh to learn about the rules and ropes. From safety and emergency procedures to important songs to know, they did it all.
After learning what their options were for the session's chugim (clubs) and anafim (chore groups), the chanichim had a "meet the madrichim adventure" evening program, where they were led through the machaneh (camp) and got to meet different madrichim at different stations, and hear about their camp experiences.

So far second session has been even more loud and energetic than the first. The thirty bogrim are making their presence felt and a number of new chanichim are already throwing themselves into our intense shira sessions.

Yom Israel

2010-07-16T21:31:00.000-07:00

At the Pool

Great Israeli Food

A visit from Ben Gurion

Our Moroccan Group in the Immigration Round Robin

At the Lake

2010-07-16T21:25:00.001-07:00

Israel Everywhere

2010-07-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was a regular day at Gilboa ending in a vigorous evening of "Zapping Hood" – a Robin Hood themed obstacle course where the chanchim had to sneak by flashlight-wielding Merry Men in the dark. After thwarting the efforts of the Sheriff of Nottingham and learning a little something about privatization, the chanichim headed to sleep.

A couple hours later, Aliyah Bet broke loose on the sleeping machaneh. In the continuation of GIlboa's annual tradition, madrichim woke the machaneh with tea and the news that they were immigrating Jews on their way to Israel. Each Tsrif (cabin) was a different country of origin – Yemen, Morocco, Iraq, Hungary, Germany, and Ukraine. The chanichim then toured the machaneh, getting an experience in 1940's aliyah, learning about the Palmach, and hearing Mizrahi folktales. The night ended with David Ben Gurion's Declaration of Independence and fresh pita off a fire.

After a sleep-in to make up for the late night revelry, the chanichim awoke to a machaneh covered in Israeli flags and romantic Zionist posters from the 1950's. Yom Israel was upon us. The day's theme was the 1950's and special attention was given to the mass Sephardic aliyah, the assimilation of holocaust victims, and the battle over German holocaust compensation. In an opening round robin, the kids experienced Israeli parliamentary politics via making houses (or platforms) out of crackers, licorice and peanut butter, learned rikudei-am, got an intro to ulpan, and had an encounter with some Zionist ghosts. The day proceeded with discussions of immigration in the 1950's and discrimination against sephardi immigrants, and chocolate ball making assembly line style, to experience young Israel's industrialization process. Chanichim also engaged in debates over whether or not to accept the German compensation offer, and got a taste of the Suez Canal crisis in the pool. They then had some balloon fights and fun slpashing around. Meals for Yom Israel included (I kid you not): Hummus, falafal, malawuach, shakshuka, quiche, lentil soup, salad, shnitzel, eggplant, couscous, Israeli chocolate spread, and mekupelet (an Israeli chocolate bar). The day ended with a tekes (ceremony) in which the chanichim expressed their hopes for Israel's future, and a mesiba (party) in the cheder ochel (dining hall). After much food, fun, and thought, everyone headed to sleep with a new understanding of Israel in the 1950's.

Shabbat at Gilboa, and Yom Mondial (World Cup Day)

2010-07-11T23:36:00.000-07:00

Gilboa celebrated our first Shabbat of the summer! On Friday afternoon, all the chanichim showered, dressed up for Shabbat, and cleaned their tzrifim (the two cleanest tzrifim were awarded the Matate haZahav (The Golden Broom), and Matate Hakesef (The Silver Broom) awards. During Kabbalat Shabbat, the Bogrim sang "Seasons of Love" before heading up to a matzo-ball soup and chicken - or tofu - dinner. After dinner, the chanichim enjoyed a spirited Shabbat shira (singing), an oneg Shabbat (a short performance) performed by the Madatz, and hours of rikudei am (Israeli folk dancing).

On Saturday, Gilboa has a late kima (wake up). However, many chanichim woke up early to play gaga. After some meditation and innovative torah study, the chanichim began a day of relaxing activities, including musicale (a low-key time for music and poetry), havdallah, and medura (songs, dances, or skits in front of the campfire).

Sunday started as a regular day, but at lunch the day broke into World Cup fever! Yom Mondial! The chanichim split into two teams - Spain and the Netherlands - and dressed up in the colors of their team. All afternoon they created cheers and practiced their soccer skills for the upcoming game! A little rain only added to the intensity of the activity as the chanichim practiced headers and fake falls, and played a semi-final match against Germany. Following a shower, the chanichim cheered for their team as they watched the World Cup final projected in the chadar ochel (dining hall). After dinner (with Gatorade), the chanichim played a World Cup trivia game before a funnel cake snack, and as usual, before going to bed, sang Rad Hayom.

Amelim (our youngest kvutza) and their Bogrim buddies (our oldest kvutza) in peula together

2010-07-09T16:36:00.001-07:00

Sayarim at Rock Wall Sadna (workshop)

2010-07-09T16:23:00.001-07:00

2010-07-09T15:55:00.000-07:00

As part of their community, chanichim take responsibility, and participate in Avoda (chores). Kishutim Le'Shabbat (decorations for Shabbat).

Gan (Garden)

Nagarut (Carpentry)

Amelim at Zman Shaliach (Shaliach Time)

2010-07-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

Labane making followed a dicussion about food, cultures, and their interconnectivity.

Chug Dirty Fun

2010-07-07T12:44:00.000-07:00

Chug (interest group) Pranksters

2010-07-07T12:26:00.000-07:00

The First Week Flying By

2010-07-07T10:58:00.000-07:00

The past few days have been a blur of kef (fun) and ruach (spirit). Every day, the chanichim (campers) cheer their loudest during both flag raising and lowering for a chance to sing one of the songs that their shichvah (group) have written. The chugim (clubs) that the chanichim got to choose from are some of the most creative yet, and everyone is having a blast. While there are classic chugim like DIY (Do it yourself), where chanichim learn useful skills, there are also new chugim like Jewish Ethics (a discussion group), Creative Biting (a drama group), and Dirty Fun (a group of merry-hearted kids who like to get dirty, and of course, clean up afterward).
Last night we had an incredible time with a Tochnit Erev (Evening Program) based on the tower of Babel story. The chanichim were introduced to the leader of "the Cause". They learned to dress alike, dance alike and look alike (imagine fake black moustaches and glasses). Whenever anybody asked what the cause was they were reminded not to question the cause. Soon, everyone was getting into the role playing, and then we brought everyone together for "the Cause", which was stacking boxes as high as we could. The process was interrupted however, by the Diversity Monster, who convinced the chanichim that conformity isn't all its cracked up to be. After overthrowing the "Cause" leader, we all went to the Cheder Ochel (Dining Hall) for a diversity party, where we had face paints, snacks, highlighters and black lights.
The Tochnit Erev was a growing experience and a fun time for all. In your next letter to your children ask them what their chug is - we're sure they'd love to share!!

2010-07-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

2010-07-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

Shalom Machaneh Gilboa families, from the beautiful campsite at Tata Pochon.

The first day of Kayitz (summer) 2010 was fun-filled for all. New and old campers alike arrived around 1pm to the campsite where we had a delicious meal of burritos and quesadillas. After getting to know the other chanichim (campers) in their shichvah (age group), the chanichim toured different areas of machaneh to learn about the rules and ropes. From safety and emergency procedures to important songs to know, they did it all.

After learning what their options were for the session's chugim (clubs) and anafim (chore groups), through fun skits, the chanichim sang songs that their madrichim had written especially for them. Afterward, there was another healthy and delicious meal of vegetable and chicken stir-fry with rice and salad bar.

The highlight of the day was the Tochnit Erev (evening program), which was the first ever "Meet the Madrichim Safari". The chanichim started out by creating their own safari gear and learning important skills that they could use on the safari (such as how to fish for aquatic madrichim). The trail started off with an SUV ride through the carnivorous madrichim zone, where the kids had a little bit of a fun scare. After going through some more tame areas of the safari, the chanichim ended at the gift shop, where they decorated peacock feathers (aka multicolored pipe cleaners and feathers) and made a mural to remember the night by. Not only did they get to meet the madrichim and have a fun and creative evening, but the chanichim got to hear our madrichim doing some of their best Australian and/or South African accents!

The night ended with cookies for kibud (snack) and the whole camp singing Rad Hayom (a traditional Israeli lullabye). Like every day will be at Gilboa, this one was packed with fun and adventure!

Our Last Day!

2009-12-25T10:15:00.000-08:00

Sof Machaneh Choref 2009!
What an inspiring week it's been. Your kids are on the buses and headed safely toward the Ontario Airport, Irvine, and Los Angeles.
The Ontario/Irvine bus left about 8:45am, followed by the LA bus, leaving at 9:30am. Hugs were given all around and some tears hit snow, but everyone left in high and happy spirits.

Thank you all for sending your kids to machaneh, it would not be the same without each of their spirits, minds, and hearts.

Aleh v'Hagshem, we'll see you at the ken!

2009-12-24T20:53:00.000-08:00

Final day at Machaneh Choref… time flies when you’re having fun! Today has been crazy fun, starting with a nice sleep in after an intense day yesterday. A bunch of younger chanichim were in the chadar ochel starting pretty early, as usual, playing games, guitar, and munching on a yummy breakfast of bagels, cereal, and fruit salad. Once everyone joined us, Bogrim led some stretches in Hitamlut Boker, followed by Chugim and Peula Shikvah (PISH). We’ve had some packing and cleaning time, and boy are we impressed by your kids! They really know how to step up for the collective.

These five days have been jam packed with lots of Kef (fun) and Chinuch (education), largely based on our theme of ‘Lihiot Hashinui – Be The Change.’ Today we rounded-out this process with a peula called Be The Carrot; you can ask your kids for the explanation- it’s hard to put on paper to say the least. In the end, however, we all met the Carrot Guru who explained that all change, social, personal, political, has been made possible because of individuals and communities like ours. Essentially, we have the power to create any change we believe in, and we can Be the Change we Wish to See in the World!

An Israel highlight: Zman Shaliach!

For those of you who don’t know our Shaliach, (Israeli emissary), his name is Achiya Schatz, and he came to work with us in September al the way from Israel full of awesome ideas, inspiration, and love. The first peula Achiya ran for our older chanichim focused on the Israeli Army, debating the pros and cons of this romanticized entity. They discussed the that the army comes from a place of necessity not choice, and related the intensive army experience to that of kvutsah.

For Chotrim and Shomrim Achiya also related the army to kvutsah experiences, focusing on the importance of challenging scenarios in building kvutsah dynamic. Amelim explored places in Israel, discussing their personal connections in order to understand why and how Israel is important to them.

Tonight we have Meducal which is a time for everyone and anyone to perform songs, skits, poems and the like, a long-time tradition at Gilboa. Afterwards, final Messibah (party) will be rockin with music, games, karaoke, snow cones, and more. As sad as we all are that Machaneh is coming to a close, we’re also aware that this has been a magical and empowering experience.

Aleh v’Hagshem!

“Machaneh Choref has become an incredibly important part of Gilboa’s growth and culture, and this year that is especially true. Everything that we’ve wanted to accomplish has been.” Howie Stanger, 17, First-year Madrich.

Day 4 Blog

2009-12-23T19:20:00.001-08:00

This morning kicked off with three birthdays: Shaina Lavine, Coby Parker, and madrich Daniel "Hasaki". The love was felt strongly at the toren. Avodah was swell and the pancake breakfast filling and full of ruach. Zman sheleg/sport (snow time) was bumping with music and snowballs with the entire machaneh smiling in the snowy sunshine!

Why is this night different from other nights? Because tonight we examine and celebrate resistance in Jewish history… Yom Chanukah has gone incredibly well so far. The Chanichim returned from post-lunch chofesh (break) to the “fireside lounge,” finding themselves in the Warsaw Ghetto, circa 1942 on the fifth night of Chanukah. We were greeted by Judenrat officers asking us to concede to ghetto restrictions. We then met members of youth movements, including Dror (of Habonim Dror), who encouraged us to practice our Jewish religion and culture in spite of the risks, because without this action we would be succumbing to the Nazi regime. The chanichim organized and decided to break out and search for “Polish sympathizers” who supplied the ghetto with bread and information from the outside world.

This was followed by a round-robin of youth movement life in the ghetto, a life of active resistance through education and community connections. Mordechai, Frukmka, Tzivia, Chavka, and Antek took us on a journey of their own liberation within the confines of ghetto walls, after which we discussed the connection between Chanukah and rebellion in relation to our experiences of the day.

A special Chanukah dinner and shira have been the beginning of our communal rebellion, our resistance of Jewish oppression, historic and modern. Chanichim have gone through an important and empowering process today, internalizing the power of Judaism and community, the importance of resistance in the face of oppression. As the night continues, there will be another peula reflecting on the day and creating a Tekkes with the theme of the youth movements in mind: ‘The wisdom to see, the courage to want, the power to act.’ And of course, we’ll have a Chanukah messibah to finish off the night! This yom meyuchad has been an unprecedented, ambitious and exciting journey, perfect to ushering in the final day of Machaneh.

FRESH SNOW AND DAY 3!

2009-12-22T19:02:00.001-08:00

Tuesday, December 22, 2009…

What a beautiful boker it’s been! Late last night the snow started drifting down, dusting roofs and leaves, and by kima (wake up) machaneh looked like one big snow globe. The skies have cleared to a bright blue and the sun is shining, however, so the new inches of snow are a welcomed pleasure.

Considering the success of yesterday’s Machaneh-wide Veida peula, tzevet has decided to continue the process today, offering each group ample time to present their proposals and amendments for the Gilboa community. It is incredible to see everyone so engaged in a purely democratic experience.

Tomorrow we launch into a special half-day of Yom Chanukah, focusing on youth movement organizing and liberation in the Warsaw Ghetto. The plans for the day are ambitious and very exciting… that’s just how we roll here at Gilboa!

This afternoon we all took a walk up the hill in “Snoccer” (snow soccer) teams to the snow-covered migrash(field) sport. We spent the next while playing in an Olympic soccer trounament, eventually condensing from ten groups to two for the ultimate face-off. It was awesome and wild, and an especially intense soccer tournament because of the newly fallen snow… many chanichim have said since that “Snoccer” should be a real Olympic sport, it’s tough and brilliantly fun!

Today PISH sessions had a range of focuses revolving around Judaism, overcoming fears, and Zionism; Bonim explored the difference between their own feelings about Israel compared to old and current ideology in and out of Habonim Dror. Good stuff!

Hope you’re all as happy as we are! Get out there and find some snow!

All Camp Discussion

Trying to catch a snow flake

A little early morning stretching

Boker Tov to Fresh Snow

A little Snoccer (Snow Soccer)

YAY!! Sledding :-)

Nothing Better then a little morning Hot Coco

Winter Camp Day 2

2009-12-21T18:32:00.000-08:00

Veida Wheel barrel Race!

Fun in the Snow

Ameiliem Looking oh Soooo Cute!

Getting our Groove ON!!!!!!

It’s Day 2 of Machaneh Choref and all is wonderful! The day started with an 8am kima (wake up), and everyone actually made it to the toran (flag) on time, it’s incredible. All the kvutsot had cheers that they made the day before, and sang them loud and proud. We then broke up into avodah (work) groups, encouraging collective responsibility.

Later in the day, we had our first, and very successful, Machaneh-wide peula which mirrored the Habonim Dror North America democratic process(HDNA). In a few days there is an HDNA meeting on the east coast that includes winter seminar and veida, a space for all movement members above 10^th grade to participate in making proposals and amendments for our national movement. Your kids were incredibly engaged, creating proposals for Gilboa.

PISH (peula shikvah) is just coming to a close, with Chugim (interest groups) to follow. Our youngest group, Amelim, made communal chocolate balls today, working and learning together, internalizing the importance of making compromises for the greater good. Chotrim madrichim ran an Identity peula, asking their chanichim to build snow wo/men depicting unique traits about themselves which their kvutsah added to, sharing their perceptions of each other. Their peula ended with a Sicha (conversation) focusing on the importance of judging others only after you have spent good time with them.

Our oldest kvutsah, Bogrim, focused on a few aspects of education: disabilities in the education system, theories of learning and liberation through education.

Our theme of ‘Be The Change – Lihiot Hashinui’ is coming from every angle this winter, and we’re so happy to share this time with your amazing kids!

A little Pre-Avodah Fun Camp wide photo!

2009-12-20T18:47:00.000-08:00

It's day one at machaneh Choref (winter camp) and everything is going swimmingly! Although we've had to push things back a bit time wise, the chanichim have met their madrichim (counselors), toured machaneh, and are currently participating in Peula Shikvah, (PISH), in which they're meeting members of their kvutsah(group), reconnecting with old friends, and playing games. Transitioning into machaneh has been packed with immense amounts of ruach and love! We are 68 chanichim strong today, with four chanichim planning to join us tomorrow. Snow is all around us, but the weather during the day was pleasant. As night falls, the cold is ushered in quickly, but with the heaters on a lovely and cozy atmosphere spreads over machaneh. Tonight will be the first machaneh-wide Tochnit Erev (night activity), 'Hagshama Hero,' in which the chanichim will be challenged to collect "hagshama" (actualization) points from different historical activist groups such as Shalom Achshav and the Freedom Riders.
We're all SO excited to be here sharing this time with your incredible kids.
Aleh v'Hagshem!

Pictures?

2009-08-05T18:42:00.000-07:00

Shalom!

Any good links to pictures or videos from the summer?

Post them as comments here and share them with the Gilboa community!

End of summer

2009-08-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

The end of camp has been emotional.

After Havdallah last night, we had our final medura (campfire) of the summer. Chanichim performed acts, sang, and danced. Following medura, everyone went to the chadar ochel for Final Mesiba (party), which featured such activities as face painting, a moonbounce with a slide, postman, cotton candy, and—of course—dancing.

We woke up early to do hitkansut, eat breakfast, and prepare to depart. The first bus picked up the chanichim (campers) going to the Ontario Airport, Irvine, and San Diego. After a flood of hugs and tears, the chanichim on the first bus drove away as the Los Angeles kids waved goodbye.

Not long after, the second bus arrived to take the chanichim from Los Angeles home. There was hugging and crying as madrichim (counselors) and chanichim said their goodbyes. The tzevet (staff) sang a heartfelt rendition of “Splendor Bridge” as the Los Angeles bus pulled away.

Thanks all for a great summer! We miss you! See you at machaneh choref (winter camp)!

Almost at the end of the summer :(

2009-07-31T22:54:00.001-07:00

It’s Friday evening and we are currently in the middle of some energetic rikudei am (Israeli folk dance). We just saw an oneg performed by the Amelim and the Chotrim after a chicken and matzo ball soup dinner.

Yesterday was our last Yom Ragil (regular day). In addition to our normal activities, we did a peula (activity) for Tisha B’Av. The chanichim walked through a museum of tableaux representing various tragedies in the history of the Jewish people. Then each shichva had a sicha (discussion) related to Tisha B’Av and prepared a speech to give at the machaneh-wide tekes (ceremony) that followed. The mood was somber and commemorative as the tekes unfolded.

Emotion is at a high right now as we enter our last Shabbat of the summer. Already we have seen the tears of several chanichim who are going to miss being at Gilboa. We are going to make the best of the last two days of the summer!

Zap, Tiyul, Yom Teva!

2009-07-29T12:46:00.000-07:00

Shalom!

Second session has been packed! Take a look:

The day after Revo—Yom Sheni (Monday)—was a yom ragil (regular day). The tochnit erev (evening activity) was a variant of “Zap,” a Gilboa tradition. During Zap, the chanichim (campers) wear dark clothing in order to sneak across the machaneh (camp) with getting “zapped”—a madrich/a (counselor) shining a flashlight on a chanich/a and saying “Zap! Go back!” This year, the chanichim sneaked from the medura pit to the migrash sport in order to escape the oppressive political regime of their home country.

Yom Shlishi (Tuesday) was tiyul. However, instead of going on a hike, the machaneh took a day trip to a local apple farm. The Bonim and the Bogrim left for the farm first. Upon arrival, they were greeted with a delicious caramel apple snack. On the farm, they learned about apple farming, rode a tractor, shot BB guns at soda cans, tasted preserves and apple butter, used a cider press, brushed a pig named blossom and petted a horse named Duke, and visited an apiary to learn about bees. Meanwhile, the Amelim, Chotrim, and Shomrim participated in a peula (activity) about food justice back at machaneh.

The Amelim, Chotrim, and Shomrim joined the Bonim and Bogrim at the farm for lunch. We took a short hike over a creek to a beautiful grassy area shaded by oak trees in order to eat our packed lunches and drink our fresh-pressed apple cider. Following lunch, the Amelim, Chotrim, and Shomrim toured the farm and ate caramel apples, while the Bonim and Bogrim returned to machaneh to learn about food justice.

If it seems that the day couldn’t get better, you are mistaken. The tochnit erev on Yom Shlishi was Wish Night. At the beginning of the session, each chanich/a submits three wishes. On Wish Night, the tzevet helps make one wish a reality for each chanich/a!

Yom Revi’i (Wednesday) is almost a yom ragil; it has a Yom Teva (Nature Day) twist. All of today’s activities have an environmental connection. The machaneh is threatened by Smashy Hands—a flower-crushing monster with a Siamese twin (twice the smash per hour!). The chanichim will need to defeat Smashy Hands before the day is out. Furthermore, the peula for each shichva (age group) revolves around the connection between Judaism and environmental responsibility.

The evening will end with a medura (campfire), kumsitz (sing-alongs), banana boats, and stargazing. Keep an eye out for that meteor shower tonight!

Revolution!

2009-07-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

Shalom!

The weekend saw another beautiful Shabbat with rest, relaxation, and a little bit of rain to settle the dust. If you haven’t been following the blog all summer, the post from Tuesday, July 7, 2009 can give you a better idea of what makes a Gilboa Shabbat so special.

Yom Rishon was Revolution, when the madatzim (counselors-in-training) kick the madrichim (counselors) out of camp and assert their hadracha (leadership)! This year, Revolution was circus themed. The chanichim (campers were divided into different circus members—acrobats, fire-breathers, jugglers, etc. Throughout the morning, they did fun activities to fine-tune their circus skills.

Later in the day, the kids discovered that the circus had been purchased by a couple of wealthy entrepreneurs. Although this did not seem initially problematic, it became increasingly clear that the new owners were attempting to eradicate the individuality of circus members.

Unwilling to put up with the oppression, the chanichim revolted against the new owners and reclaimed their uniqueness.

The evening finished with cotton-candy filled mesiba (party) to celebrate the victory!

Vive la révolution!

Beginning of Second Session

2009-07-23T23:23:00.000-07:00

Shalom!

Second session is off to a great start!

After the arrival of new chanichim (campers) on Yom Shlishi (Tuesday), the kids spent the day getting acquainted with the site and their new kvutsot (groups). That evening, the schavot (age groups) became a group from the “Lord of the Kvutsot” (Amelim - Hobbits, Chotrim - Dwarves, Shomrim - Elves, Bonim – Men of Rohan, Bogrim – Men of Gondor). In these groups, they worked to destroy the all-powerful ring of apathy.

The first Yom Ragil (regular day) of the session was filled with tons of ruach (energy/spirit) and collective cheering. In the evening, the chanichim celebrated Habonim Dror North America’s 75^th birthday party by bringing presents and toasts from various other Habonim Dror countries around the world—including Uruguay, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Mexico, Turkey, and New Zealand.

Yom Chamishi (Thursday) was Yom Israel! The day began with a shakshouka breakfast, followed by a co-existence round robin. The chanichim examined similarities between Hebrew and Arabic, as well as the biblical ancestral ties to Abraham. They did chetz v’keshet (archery) to break waterballoon dams at the sources of the Tigris and the Euphrates in order to reroute water to the whole of the Middle East. They heard stories of the universality of sunflower seeds, as well as tales of the Golden Age between Arabs and Jews.

The coexistence round robin was followed by a soccer tournament among the groups of chanichim, who represented various Israeli cities: Haifa, Tel Aviv, Eilat, Akko, Jerusalem, and Tiberias. The chanichim painted their faces with a team color and cheered on their teammates. The tournament ended in a heated game between the chanichim and a madatz-tzevet team—the chanichim won.

The chanichim then filed into lunch, which was set-up as a shuk with hummus, falafel, Israeli salad, tahina, fries, and pita. After lunch, the chanichim spent an hour relaxing at the Kinneret. The schavot then divided, splitting into schavot to do a peula (activity) about stereotypes, generalizations, and the process of imagining peace.

The evening included a snack of choco b’sakit (chocolate milk in a bag—an Israeli drink) and avatiach (watermelon), a shnitzel dinner, and a viewing of the film Promises.

Tomorrow, we will prepare for Shabbat with tzrif cleaning, showers, and dressing up!

We are also saying goodbye to our Nitsanim tomorrow! We’ll miss their sweetness and ruach, but we can’t wait to see them in Amelim next year!

Beginning of Second Session!!!

2009-07-21T15:00:00.001-07:00

We are sooo happy to let you know that the campers arrived safe and sound with bright smiles and couldn't wait to get rolling. Below are a list of counselors broken down by age group:

Nitsanim (Entering 3rd and 4th Grade): Zak, Alysse, and Miya

Amelim (Entering 4th and 5th grade): Zev and Noey

Chotrim (entering 6th and 7th grade): Emily and Hasaki

Shorim (Entering 8th Grade): Emma and George

Bonim (Entering 9th grade): Niki and David

Bogrim (Entering 10th Grade): Noah and Sarah

End of Session 1 and Intersession

2009-07-21T14:58:00.000-07:00

Well, first session is over and it flew by!

After Yom Meyuchad (Special Day) on Yom Shlishi (Tuesday), we had two
yamei ragil (regular days). Celebration of Shabbat happened in the
Gilboa tradition. However, the weekend was spiced up by Final Mesiba
(party) on Saturday evening. The chadar ochel transformed into a
miniature county fair, filled with cotton candy, soda, ice cream
sundaes, and snowcones. Inside the chadar ochel, chanichim were
dancing, sending notes of appreciation to one another, and having
their fortunes told. Outside on the kadur af (volleyball court),
chanichim in socks jumped around on a moonbounce. After the younger
chanichim went to bed, the older kids watched a late-night movie.

Tired and happy, the kids brought their bags down and gathered for the
last hitkansut boker (morning gathering) of the session. This was
followed by breakfast and then by many tearful goodbye hugs. The
first bus left with the chanichim traveling to the Ontario airport,
Irvine, and San Diego and then the second bus left for Los Angeles.

After the departure of the first session chanichim, intersession
began. Intersession is the period of time between the end of first
session and the beginning of second session which is run by the
madatzim (counselors-in-training). Although madrichim are around and
available to chanichim if needed, the madatzim run relaxing and fun
programming for the intersession chanichim.

We miss all the chanichim who left after first session, but everyone
here is excited for the imminent start of second session!

By the way, for those of you who are nostalgic for Visitors’ Day or
were not able to make it, feel free to check out the footage!

The pictures are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gilboamarketing/VisitingDay2009

The videos are here:

Amelim - Yachad - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1TrZOyPquY

Bogrim - Lo Kala Darkenu - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jZhfNW73Hc

Everyone - Haleluya - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4935dkS--Zs

Everyone - Shir LaShalom - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80L0IbZHwCA

Bonim Song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F1opWlqoJU

Bogrim Song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCQLOo3sW4A

Thursday July 16

2009-07-17T01:09:00.000-07:00

It’s been an exciting week here at Machaneh Gilboa.

Visitor’s Day was a great success. Everyone enjoyed meeting and seeing each others’ families. The weather was great, the food plentiful, and the ruach (spirit) was at high. For those of you that were able to visit, we loved meeting you and hope you enjoyed your time here.

Tuesday was Yom Meyuchad (Special Day), a day where a special theme is chosen and the day’s activities are devoted to that theme. This year’s theme revolved around examination of the labor practices on cruise lines. The chanichim (campers) awoke to being passengers on a tropical cruise, complete with a stately dining room, leis, and a peppy crew. The morning's activities included a pool party, karaoke, human checkers, and dancing.

But it soon became clear that there was something amiss on this particular cruise ship. At lunch the ship’s crew showed fatigue and the burdens of their hard work under the rule of their overbearing captain. Suddenly, the ship was attacked by friendly pirates, who sought to show the passengers the true story of their lavish cruise. The pirates explained that the workers were forced to work for low pay and long hours without breaks. The cruise-goers also learned of the turmoil in the home countries of the crew members, which led them to join the crew of the ship in the first place.

In the end, it was a lesson of worker’s rights and how the youth can empower themselves to effect change in their immediate community. Of course, the day was not complete without Gilboa’s own “Human Battleship,” played with two teams, a separation wall, and water balloons.

Wednesday was a Yom Ragil (regular day), with all the usual exciting rock wall climbing, canoeing, swimming, singing, and educational activities. The camp picture was taken, which is always a fun event. Each chanich will receive a copy of it on their return home.

Today (Thursday) we got our first rain of the summer. While some chanichim remained indoors playing games or doing rikudei am (Israeli folk dance), others frolicked outside, got a little muddy, and then went to shower and get dry.

Tomorrow will surely be an enjoyable and restful Erev (night) Shabbat. The Bonim are due to put a creative and hilarious oneg (play) and the Shomrim will be performing the song at Kabbalat Shabbat.

We wish you Shabbat Shalom!!! Have a restful Sabbath and good weekend!!!

The scene at the pool party

Dodging a waterballoon in Human Battleship

Enjoying tropical juice at the pool.

More fun at the pool party.

The Machaneh Photo!!!

Tyul and Yom Gilboa

2009-07-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

Monday and Tuesday were yamei ragil (regular days). On Tuesday night,
however, an evil alien queen, who had been plotting to take over
Gilboa, abducted one of our madrichot and placed her under a mind
control spell. In order to break the queen’s spell, the chanichim
joined the elite forces of the P.I.B. (People In Black) and searched
the site for aliens. The meandering aliens obliged the chanichim to
solve perplexing puzzles in order to obtain clues as to the best way
to approach the queen. After much sleuthing, the chanichim succeeded
in converting the evil alien queen from an invader to a Gilboaphile.

On Wednesday and Thursday, we took an overnight tiyul (hike).
Wednesday morning, chanichim packed lunches and filled their backpacks
with jugs of water. The Amelim (entering 4th and 5th grades), Sayarim
(entering 6th grade), and Chotrim (entering 7th grade) took the 3 mile
round trip hike to Poopout Hill. The Shomrim (entering 8th grade),
Bonim (entering 9th grade), Bogrim (entering 10th grade), and Madatz
(entering 12th grade) hiked 4.5 miles to Jackstraw Springs and back.
Chanichim were shuttled from the trailhead to the sleeping location
where they slept outside under the stars. The following morning, the
chanichim packed up the campsite and filed onto a bus. We drove over
to Swim Beach—a beach on Big Bear Lake—where we spent the afternoon
playing, dancing, and swimming.

Tired from hiking and having fun, the chanichim returned to machaneh
to shower, eat a delicious enchilada dinner, and watch a movie in the
chadar ochel.

The following days, we celebrated Shabbat in the typical Gilboa
style—dancing, singing, discussion, relaxation, and reflection—and we
prepared for the arrival of visitors on Sunday. And, as many of you
know, Yom Gilboa was a lot of fun. The chanichim were excited by the
arrival of family, friends, and t-shirts! We enjoyed a performance by
the chanichim, as well as high tea by shichva (age group). For those
of you who couldn’t make it yesterday, we missed you. And to those of
you who came up the mountain, thanks for visiting!

See you next year!

What's new?

2009-07-07T17:30:00.000-07:00

Much has happened since our last blog post!

Our celebration of Shabbat began when the whole community—dressed in our nice Shabbat clothing—gathered at the toren (flagpole). We sang Hatikva before dividing into mishpachot (families) by eizor (geographical area). The entire Machaneh then walked down to the migrash sport (sport field). Seated in a circle, we watched the Bogrim perform a Kabbalat Shabbat song before listening to the Rosh’s Shabbat story. Then we rose to greet the Sabbath Queen by singing Hachama Merosh towards the setting sun. Salutations of “Shabbat Shalom” and hugs followed.

After a matzo ball soup and chicken dinner, the voices of chanichim filled the chadar ochel (dining hall) with Shabbat Shira (Shabbat singing). The chanichim had a short chofesh (free time) before the Madatz oneg (play) and hours of rikudei am (Israeli folk dancing).

The following morning, the chanichim had a late kima (wake up). For the early risers, there were games and breakfast in the chadar ochel, as well as the traditional Saturday morning games of Gaga (a sort of dodgeball). Following breakfast, madrichim (counselors) led the chanichim through stretching and a guided meditation. Afterwards, the machaneh divided into small groups to read and discuss the parshat hashavoua (weekly torah portion). We did two sets of Shabbat chugim (interest groups) before lunch. After lunch, the kids went did “Hyde Park”—a time set aside for chanichim to get on their soapbox and give constructive criticism or compliments. The madatz planned and ran the following hour for the chanichim as part of their hadracha (leadership) training. Madatz time was followed by Zman Shichva (age group time) and chofesh. During Musicale, chanichim and madrichim played instruments and sang songs silhouetted by the setting sun before the traditional Saturday evening hamburger dinner. After havdallah under the stars, the entire machaneh went to the medura (campfire) pit for a talent show and kumsitz (sing-alongs).

Yom Rishon (Sunday) was a yom ragil (regular day). The tochnit erev was a wax museum of figures such as Hannah Senesh, Martin Luther King Jr., Crazy Horse, Harriet Tubman, and Emma Goldman. The figures escaped the museum, but were reluctantly captured and returned by groups of chanichim. The groups wrote informational plaques and presented their respective figures to the rest of the machaneh

Later that evening—or some might say early in morning—the chanichim were woken up for Aliya Bet (the Second Aliya) to go on a journey from Eastern Europe to British Mandatory Palestine. They prepared their passports, learned about what to expect once they arrived in the Middle East while making pita over a campfire, and trained to be chalutztim (pioneers) in Palestine. They snuck through the forest, past British troops, into Palestine. Upon arrival in Palestine, they enjoyed pita and hummus and then returned to bed before a late wake-up.

We’ll have more stories and pictures soon!!!

MUSICALE

Listeners:

Performers:

A few Sayarot perform a song

A member of Shomrim plays the trumpet

A member of Bonim plays the keyboard:

Madrichim singing

A member of Bogrim plays the flute

Two Bogers perform a song

The overalls crew sings "Big Rock Candy Mountain"

Madrichim and chanichim perform together!

Some of the Bonot

A madatzkirut (madatz madrichim + mazkirut) intro leads to...

the weekly tzevet song!

THE WAX MUSEUM

Crazy Horse

Wangari Maathi

Benazir Bhutto, Hannah Senesh, Albert Einstein, Harriet Tubman

Emma Goldman, Michael Jackson, Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King

KIDS LOVE CROCS (only with a backstrap!)

HITKANSUT

Amelim ruach rocks the ma'agal (circle)!

Bogrim sings their kvutsa cheer!

FUN!

Two members of Bonim on the couch

Chotrim on the couch

The Merakez Chinuch (educational director) demonstrates non-violent resistance

Color coordination!

Keep your eyes peeled for more pictures after tiyul!

Shabbat Shalom from Machaneh Gilboa 09!!!

2009-07-03T16:13:00.000-07:00

If you are having as much fun as we are here, you’re in great shape!

Madrichim (counselors) and madatzim (counselors-in-training) waited enthusiastically as the buses lumbered up to machaneh (camp) on Yom Revi’i (Wednesday) with chanichim (campers) arriving from locations as disparate as Los Angeles, Irvine, the Bay Area, San Diego, and Las Vegas. Upon arrival, the kids moved into their tzrifim (cabins) and then returned to the chadar ochel (dining hall) to enjoy a pizza and salad lunch.

Following lunch, the chanichim travelled in schavot (age groups) around the Machaneh in order to take a swim test, hear the rules, learn machaneh songs, and receive a lice check. Then everyone gathered together to choose their anafim (morning work groups) and chugim (interest groups) for the session.

The tochnit erev (evening program) obliged the chanichim to pull out their metaphorical magnifying glasses in order to solve the mystery of the missing rosh (camp director). After interviewing and getting to know the tzevet (staff) for each kvutsa (group), it was discovered that the rosh had merely been baking cookies for kibud (snack) before bed!

Yom Chamishi (Thursday) was the first yom ragil (regular day). After hitkansut boker (morning flag raising), the kids divided into their morning work groups. The avodah (work) groups include tending to the gan (garden), doing bruit (bathroom cleaning), picking up ashpa (trash), making kishutim l’shabbat (Shabbat decorations), building cubbys for tzrifim, setting up for aruchat boker (breakfast), doing tikkun olam (healing the world) projects, or working with anaf noy (beautification) to clear paths, and writing the Gilboa iton (newspaper).

Avodah was followed by Shira (singing), Zman Sport (sport time), and Sadnaot (workshops). During Sadnaot, each kvutsa does a different activity: rikudei am (Israeli folk dance), drama games, climbing the rockwall, Zman Shaliach (Israeli emissary time), Zman Gan (garden time), instructional swimming, or melechet yad (arts and crafts). The half hour before lunch is Zman Hafta’ah (surprise time)—a period dedicated to learning about Ivrit (Hebrew), Israel, and various related topics.

After lunch, the chanichim had some free time before hatzagah (the daily skit) and peulat shichva (age group activity), which is prepared for the kvutsa by their madrichim. Then the chanichim had their midday snack before splitting up into chugim for an hour. At hitkansut erev (evening flag-raising), each kvutsa tried to best each other by proving that they had the most ruach (spirit).

Thursday’s tochnit erev was Internet night. After the evil E-tator Edward Keyboard Hands weblinked the mazkirut (directorial staff) and trapped them in cyberspace, the chanichim surfed the web, in order to uncover the password to unlock the mazkirut. En route, they completed several activities at different websites and defeated annoying pop-ups by squirting them with their ad-blocker water guns.

Today—Yom Shishi (Friday)—has been filled with avodah, rikudei am, shira, and peulat shichva. Additionally, each kvutsa prepared for the sabbath with a pre-Shabbat activity, including tye-dying challah covers, learning about the brachot (blessings), preparing a song for Kabbalat Shabbat , or practicing for the Friday night oneg (play).

Now, chanichim are showering, cleaning their tzrifim, and preparing to greet the Sabbath queen.

See you after Shabbat!

P.S. Don’t forget: Visitor’s Day is July 12!

Chanichim (campers) take in skits introducing their chugim (interest group) choices.

Mazkirut (Directorial Staff) explains the rules of machaneh (camp).

First day of swimming!

The chotrim (going into 7th grade) enjoy the rules presentation.

So Cal Reunion!

2009-03-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

Last Weekend chanichim and madrichm from all over Southern California came together in Los Angeles for a rockin' weekend of fun! It was a great chance for people to see their friends from around the eizor, celebrating Shabbat together with rikkud, singing, and a lovely musicale. For those who couldn't make it, we hope to see you at ken peulot during the spring, and this summer at Machaneh!

Havdalah

More Machaneh Choref Photos!

2008-12-29T12:25:00.000-08:00

Chanukiot made on Yom Chanukah

Rikkud on "Shabbat"

Rikkud!

Lighting the Chanukah Candles

We love Gilboa!

Telling the story of Chanukah

2008-12-29T12:23:00.000-08:00

Shomrim

Sayarim

Chotrim

Bonim

Bogrim

Amelim

Yom Chanuka!

2008-12-26T15:01:00.001-08:00

new photos!

2008-12-26T14:59:00.001-08:00

Making snowmen!

4 feet of snow!

Machaneh Choref

2008-12-24T16:15:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone! Thanks for checking in with the blog! Sorry for the lack of photos, we've been taking them, but are having some technical difficulties with getting them on the blog. Hopefully soon we'll be able to show you what we've been doing here!

Yesterday was a great, special, Chanukah themed day. We made Chanukiot, ate latkes, told the story of Chanukah with our kvutsot, and had a huge Maccabee vs. Greco-Syrian snowball fight!

We're expecting more snow tonight, and have many fun things planned for the next day and a half before we say goodbye to our Gilboa friends and head home. More details (and hopefully photos) to follow soon!

MACHANEH CHOREF HAS BEGUN!

2008-12-21T18:43:00.000-08:00

We have arrived safe and sound at Mountain Chai, our winter site for Gilboa this year. After a nice hot lunch of pizza we settled into our warm cabins and everyone got a chance to know the people in their kvutsa. With 4 feet of snow on the ground it looks beautiful and there will be plenty of opportunities to play outside! We're very excited to celebrate the first night of Chanukah together this evening, and have are looking forward to the rest of the week.

Pictures to follow soon!