<p>Enjoy one last summer evening with fellow chanichim, madrichim, tzevet, friends, and family. In both Chicago and Los Angeles, we'll share camp stories, sing, and enjoy some special activities led by madrichim and MITs.</p>

Maccabia is underway!

Excitement is in the air as the two teams, Ir (blue) and Kibbutz (white), continue in the second and final day of Maccabia. By tonight, after endless hours of cheering and competing, one team will be crowned victorious. Last night showed just how much effort has been given on each side with the outstanding Stomp competition; and that was after a whole day of basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, swimming, archery, colorful meals, and the scientific Egg Drop.

In store for each team today are the home run derby, flickerball, hockey, tennis, and sand castle making competitions, the Apache Race, and more creative meals. Everyone is working hard on the special projects, sports competitions, cheers and songs, Divrei Torah, and all-around ruach. Melechet Yad has been full, sports fields have been exciting, and meals have been spectacular. Can’t wait for the Final Presentations tonight and the announcement of the Maccabia winners of 2011!

Members of the Moshava Wild Rose family in the Chicago area gathered last night at Hillel Torah North Suburban Day School for a meaningful program intended to capture the experience  of Tisha B’Av at camp. The moving program included the reading of Eichah and Kinot by Moshava alum Jeremy Amster, an inspiring story told by Moshava alum Rabbi Philip Karesh, and slow shira led by Alan Sorscher. Thanks go out to Moshava alumni Ilana Karesh, Rivkie Lafer, and Dov Shandalov for helping to put the program together.

We would like to wish the entire Moshava family a safe and meaningful Tisha B’av. Our Kollel is excited to play a large role in our tochnit here in Macheneh and are prepared to give the chanichim a Tisha B’av like no other. There will be no new Moshava Minute today due to the tzom.

Yesterday, the oldest shevet got a taste of next year on the Hill! They had a delicious lunch of grilled cheese in the brand new chadar ochel, davened mincha, and then had a tour of the Hill, including the new yurts. After some kushi gufi, a typical machal experience, the chanichim cleared out the chadar ochel for an intense game of GaGa, and then a game of knock-out on the basketball court. Finishing their afternoon on the Hill, oldest shevet played a game of Wah! in the beautiful, air conditioned beit midrash, and then made their way downstairs for shekem. For the night tochnit, they had a special trip…bowling in Waupaca! It was a very exciting day for the chanichim and we can’t wait for Machal 2012!

Our Mach Hach program has arrived safely in South Dakota and are already enjoying the many adventures that have been planned for them. This safe and specially designed trip is for chanichim entering 11^th grade and is filled with fun and educational activities. On the trip so far, the chanichim have visited Wall Drug, (a famous Western tourist town), went fishing for dinner and today are currently on their way to see an old western theatre and then off to Reptile Gardens. In the upcoming days they will be hiking up Harneys Peak, visiting the Flinstones Theme Park, experiencing the Black Hills Maze, sight seeing at Mt. Rushmore and going to the Crazy Horse Memorial before returning to camp early Friday morning. Make sure to check our website and facebook page daily to see pictures from the trip.

We walked into the Gym just like any other day, but this time it was a little different.  This time we were traveling back in time to a world when Israel was not yet a State and was still just a dream.

             Tonight, all the chanichim participated in a reenactment of the events of 1947 and 1948 that changed the history of the Jewish people forever.  Each kvutza was given a different country to dress up as and take part in the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181.  The gym was decorated with flags and was set up like the real U.N.  As the program continued, each kvutza (acting as a country) was asked their vote to determine whether the State of Israel should be established.

            After the vote passed, we went over to the other half of the gym.  There we saw David Ben Gurion declare the state.  We learned about how the USA was among the first to recognize the state along with the former Soviet Union.  The night ended with singing the Israeli Anthem, Hatikvah.

            This event, along with other events from this past week, tied into our noseh of Moshevet Alo Na’aleh.  We see the importance of living in land of Israel and the power of the Jewish people.  It is through these historical events and their portrayal in camp that we really believe that Israel is our homeland and it continues to be a blessing for us each and every day.

            We were also privileged to celebrate the Bar-Mitzvah of Ben Kaplan in camp today.  Last night, the younger shevet boys had a special event by the lake.  There was a campfire, where people made smores, and grilled salami for everyone to share.  Ben’s parents joined and helped us all celebrate this momentous occasion.

            This morning, Ben read from the Torah and received his first Aliyah as a Bar Mitzvah.  Ben did a great job and is clearly destined to do great things.  We wish the entire Kaplan family a Mazal Tov and continued Nachat.  Camp is always a great place for celebrating a simcha and we look forward to many others this summer and in years to come.

Join your Camp Moshava family — chanichim, tzevet, alumni, family and friends for Maariv and a meaningful Eichah reading under the stars followed by inspirational stories from Rabbi Philip Karesh and slow shira led by Alan Sorcher.   Monday, August 8th, 2011 at 8:30 PM at Hillel Torah.

Eichah booklets will be provided. Since we will be outside on the lawn, feel free to bring blankets and flashlights. No reservation required.  In the event of rain the program will be held in the Hillel Torah gym.

August 8th, 2011
Maariv at 8:30 PM
Hillel Torah (outside in the back)
7120 Laramie Rd
Skokie, IL 60077

For more information email [email protected] or call 847-674-9733 ext. 12