Tisha B'Av in Camp
Monday night and Tuesday, the camp observed the fast of Tisha B'Av [the ninth of Av]. On Monday night, a camper from each aidah read a chapter from Megillat Aichah [Lamentations] for the camp; interspersed among the chapters were dances, songs, and poetry recitations to evoke an atmosphere of mourning and contemplation. Tisha B'Av is the day when we remember the destruction of both the First and Second Temple and other calamities and persecutions throughout Jewish history. On Tuesday, the campers read Aichah once again, this time during their aidot tefillot [prayers], and participated in Tisha B'Av-themed programs throughout the rest of the day. It was a meaningful fast for everyone.
Alex F. (Rosh Bogrim): Monday night, and also during the camp-wide Maariv on Tuesday night, we introduced the story of Michael Levin to camp. Michael Levin attended Ramah in the Pocono's, went on Nativ, and then joined the Israeli army. He was killed last year in the War on Lebanon. I felt that telling his story to Camp Ramah was important, because even though only Ben H. [Programmer] and I knew him, everyone at camp could relate to his story. Michael went to Ramah, went on Nativ; he gave everything he had to his goal - the Israeli army - and we can learn to give everything to our goal, too.
Deena S. and Carole K. (Machon Campers): During Tisha B'Av day, we learned about destruction as a whole and destruction that individuals do to one another. One activity that we did was to apologize behind a screen, with the lights out. It was interesting to see what people apologized about and how many apologies people felt that they had to give.
Sammy M. (Shoafim Camper): The performances on Tisha B'Av night were very moving. During the day, JAR [Jonathan Adam Ross, Rosh Performing Arts] performed his new one-man show, "L'Chaim," for us. It was about the Jewish lifecycle and tied into our theme of Tisha B'Av of community and individual lifecycles. I really liked the play.
Carly S. (Halutzim Camper): We learned about the real "Halutzim" [settlers] in Israel before Israel became a state, so we did fun stuff like three-legged races and human pyramids. We also decorated puzzle pieces with our hopes for the future and connected them together.
Sam L. (Tikvah Camper): In Moadon Tikvah, we made a model of the Second Temple, which was a lot of fun. The Second Temple was destroyed on Tisha B'Av.
Shira L. (Bogrim Camper): Tisha B'Av night, after reading Aichah, Bogrim watched a movie about Michael Levin. I learned about following your dreams.
Ari V. and Jack F. (Sollelim Campers): We watched "The Wave" during the day. It was about how a teacher did an experiment and created a movement like the Nazis. The movie tied into our theme about "Sinat Chinam" [lit. free hatred], which is what destroyed the Second Temple.
Noah L. (Nivo Camper): After our performances Tisha B'Av night, Nivonim stayed up all night learning about Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai, one of the leaders of the Jewish people during the destruction of the Second Temple. We then had a trial about him and davened [prayed] at sunrise.