Our
incredible journey exploring Jewish Identity never waned in the past two weeks
since my last blog post.
Tuscarora wrestled with Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan’s (commonly known as The Chofetz Chaim)
seminal work on the Halachot (laws) regarding language. After reviewing a
condescend version of The Chofetz Chaim’s laws on La’Shon Harah (literally
‘evil tongue’), the campers wrote their own modern adaptations. Although the
Chofetz Chaim’s treatise could not envision the technology and communication
revolution’s impact on interpersonal relationships, Tusk campers soon realized
one can adapt his rules of Lashon Harah for the modern age. Thus, each camper
wrote one to three modern applications of the Chofetz Chaim’s Halachot. From
recommending restrictions on tweeting to curtailing the content of facebook
posts, the campers provided a plethora of modern La’shaon Harah applications.
http://www.hakirah.org/Vol%2012%20Buchman.pdf
http://www.hakirah.org/Vol%2012%20Buchman.pdf
Onondaga,
Cayuga, and Mohawk discussed Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon’s (commonly known as The
Rambam or Maimonides) eight levels of tzedakah (charity). Following lively
discussions, the campers worked in groups to craft a comic strip depicting one
of the eight levels.
http://www.icsresources.org/content/primarysourcedocs/EightLevelsOfCharity.pdf
http://www.icsresources.org/content/primarysourcedocs/EightLevelsOfCharity.pdf
What a
Shabbat celebration hosted by Mohawk this week!
Jeremy Garson used the Max Ehrmann poem ‘Desiderata’ as the basis for this past Shabbat’s theme: Desire. Mohawk campers decorated the Hadar O’Hel (dinning hall), crafted memorable written pieces for Friday night, help lead services, and even greeted campers when they arrived at the fire circle Friday night. Certainly, the campers benefited from practicing with Ari Baum in the oppressive heat Friday. Ari gave the campers a crash course in public speaking followed by a constructive evaluation of their presentations. Jake Massa assisted Ari in the coaching.
Jeremy Garson used the Max Ehrmann poem ‘Desiderata’ as the basis for this past Shabbat’s theme: Desire. Mohawk campers decorated the Hadar O’Hel (dinning hall), crafted memorable written pieces for Friday night, help lead services, and even greeted campers when they arrived at the fire circle Friday night. Certainly, the campers benefited from practicing with Ari Baum in the oppressive heat Friday. Ari gave the campers a crash course in public speaking followed by a constructive evaluation of their presentations. Jake Massa assisted Ari in the coaching.
Finally, I
would be remiss if I did not include a poem I recited at Camp Stock (camp wide
talent show) by a poet who writes under the pseudonym H.D. Levy. I hope you
enjoy the linguistic painting of one man’s experience and how camp shaped him.
Enjoy!
Tiger In My
Cage
H.D. Levy
H.D. Levy
Overtones of
animosity diminish
Fade with time’s torturous texture,
Recede into irrelevance.
Fade with time’s torturous texture,
Recede into irrelevance.
Vitriol
vanishes
Bitterness banishes thoughts steeped
In regretful remorse now removed.
Bitterness abates
Slowly Methodically Patient
Perplex suppressed beneath Fatherly façade.
Time heals wounds habits create
Bitterness banishes thoughts steeped
In regretful remorse now removed.
Bitterness abates
Slowly Methodically Patient
Perplex suppressed beneath Fatherly façade.
Time heals wounds habits create
Shadows
shudder, subtle
Textured tones grayed over time
gracefully quiver,
Sliver of dignity remains.
Vigor formerly quenched
Passion previously drenched,
Chained by circumstance
Amidst anguish off set…Fire ignite!
Rebalanced.
Equilibrium restored Golden opportunity realized
Actualized!
Textured tones grayed over time
gracefully quiver,
Sliver of dignity remains.
Vigor formerly quenched
Passion previously drenched,
Chained by circumstance
Amidst anguish off set…Fire ignite!
Rebalanced.
Equilibrium restored Golden opportunity realized
Actualized!
Now primed
To entice
To tantalize
To Inspire
To tantalize
To Inspire
They waited…
Sat with minds abated through orientation re-filtration
As words began to
Flow from foul mind
Through clean mouth.
Sat with minds abated through orientation re-filtration
As words began to
Flow from foul mind
Through clean mouth.
They
listened…
One disconnected, never affected
Fervently rejected teachings tradition.
He heard (He stood)
One disconnected, never affected
Fervently rejected teachings tradition.
He heard (He stood)
Time heals
wounds
Yet…
Scars remain primed
Yet…
Scars remain primed
For
ANY moment
to
ARISE
Judaic Director
David Zarkowsky
