Spotlight on Halutzim
On a rainy July 17, several buses rolled into Camp Ramah, carrying with them the entire eidah of Halutzim. Halutzim campers are entering 6th grade and spend the second half of the summer rotating through sports and tarbut (culture) activities as an introduction to all that Camp Ramah has to offer. On the last night of camp, Halutzim campers reveal the plays for next summer, performing a chorus song from each play.
Mollie Flink (Rosh Halutzim): I really like working with Halutzim because the kids are a lot of fun. They have a lot of energy and enthusiasm in everything we do and I really enjoy being around them. They like being with the staff, they like being with each other; it's a really fun environment to be around. Even though they are only a year older than the Garinim campers, they feel a lot older and the two age groups are in completely different places. They are really independent and mature and they know their way around camp, which is nice for them and for us.
One thing that we did that was really fun was we had a Kentucky Derby for Yom Meyuchad, since we have all three Louisville counselors on our staff. The counselors were really looking forward to it and it was really fun. We had racing and ate Kentucky Derby pie and learned about the history. I think it was a fun day for the kids. Also, something we've done over the past few years in Halutzim is a sneak preview for each play next summer. It's really exciting performing that on the last night of camp. We've been rehearsing for that now and it's coming together and looking really good so far.
Jaimee G. (Halutzim Counselor): My campers are a lot of fun. They all love hanging out with each other and are a lot more mature than I thought they I would be. They can get a little crazy and wild, but they are a lot of fun. I love my job and I love hanging out with them.
Ori C. (Halutzim): My favorite part about Halutzim is that they have a lot of options open for you. They have a lot of classes like art and drama and shira (singing) and I really like that. I think it's really nice that they open up options like that for campers in Halutzim.
Shira F. (Halutzi m): My favorite part about Halutzim is my cabin because all the people are really nice and it's a good way to meet new people. I was surprised by how friendly everyone was because there were a lot of different groups of friends but we managed to all be friends with each other.
Tavi M. (Halutzim): Halutzim is the best thing ever. I really like my bunk bed, it's really cool and comfy. You get to try out every tarbut before you actually have to decide for the next summer and you get to have lots of fun. It's cool.
Max A. (Halutzim): My favorite part about Halutzim is that I get to see all my friends that I saw last year. I like the activities and I like my counselors.
Josh H. (Halutzim): Halutzim is one of the best eidot in all of camp! You have all your friends and you get to start all those years together as an eidah.
Devora B. (Halutzim): One thing I like about Halutzim is doing the sneak preview of all the songs for the plays for next year. I like learning the songs and I like being with my friends and our Rosh Eidah.
Ruli W. (Halutzim): I like doing all the funny cheers in the chadar. My cabin is really crazy and hilarious. I like a lot of the freedom we have in Halutzim.