Today, in machaneh we had the very special privilege of watching a Brit Milah performed by Rabbi Moshe Kushner of Chicago. Parents Jennifer and Ronen from Door County came to Moshava with their three daughters and newborn baby boy, Matan.

Rabbi Kushner transformed the Brit Milah into an educational experience for the chanichim. He explained the Brit Milah process step by step, which the chanichim enjoyed very much. Following the Brit, a seudah was enjoyed by the participants.

Mazal Tov to the Eliyah Family.

Please check out the pictures on the website as well as today’s Moshava Minute, featuring this very meaningful Brit Milah.

Today, the chanichim returned from their one night machaneh chutz (sleepout) at Evergreen Campsites here in Wild Rose. We arrived yesterday and the chanichim got strait to work. “It’s so much fun working with the chanichim to gather wood and start fires” said madrich Sam Stelzer. All of the madrichim, including Sam, were extremely helpful ensuring that the chutz was a safe and fun experience for everybody. We returned to camp today well rested and ready for the rest of this exciting week. Make sure to check out todays Moshava Minute to find out more about the chutz.

Tomorrow, former director Rabbi Moshe Kushner will be up at camp for a brit millah. This is sure to be a chinuchi (educational) experience for everybody. Check back tomorrow for pictures  and an article from the brit.

In an effort to take our programming to the next level, we have started running special programs specifically for the Oldest Shevet – 8th graders. Throughout the month, we hope to run unique peulot designed only for Oldest Shevet.

On Motzei Shabbat, after a very energizing and fun Melaveh Malkah, the Oldest Shevet was treated to an “after hours” shekem and a few games of Knockout. The Oldest Shevet chanichim spent time hanging out with friends and enjoying their special treatment.

Tonight, these chanichim were privileged to go bowling as their night tochnit. They had a blast! We hope to continue the special Oldest Shevet peulot throughout the month.

Be sure to check the website for pictures!

Today was an excellent Friday at Moshava. The chanichim began the day by watching a few videos in shiur about the Israeli army. One video featured a real life IDF soldier from the elite Duvdevan unit giving a special message to the Moshava Wild Rose chanichim. The second video was highlights from the training course that some of our very own tzofiut members went through in the Polsar Golani unit. Rabbi Aviad Sanders, our rosh kollel, spoke to the chanichim about hishtadlut and the wonders that the Israeli army does for our country. After the shiur the chanichim boarded buses and headed to Appleton to Funset Boulevard. There they all enjoyed some time playing laser tag, video games and winning prizes.

After a crazy week of Maccabia the chanichim are ready for the yom menucha and are looking forward to shabbat. Check the website on motzei shabbat for pictures and a new Moshava Minute.

Shabbat Shalom!!!!

Maccabia is in full swing, with both teams “Mayim” (blue) and “Yabasha” (green) full of energy and ruach. Both teams have been competing in sports, making up new and creative cheers, and spending lots of time in Melechet Yad (arts and crafts).

Lunch belonged to team Mayim, who transformed the Chader Ochel into a boat, with blue “water” lining the walls. For dinner, team Yabasha worked with the movie “Shrek” to turn the Chader Ochel into a green wonderland, complete with Ogre-eared waiters and Shrek-themed menus.

Following dinner, both teams put the finishing touches on their “Stomp” presentations. Each team prepared a musical presentation that revolved around both their team name and the noseh of the month – Binyan Olam. Both teams wowed the crowd, and are looking forward to the excitement of Maccabia to continue tomorrow.

Check out the website for pictures and don’t forget to watch the Moshava Minute!

After a seemingly normal day in Machaneh, the chanichim excitedly prepared for their night tochnit, “Family Feud”. Each kvutzah had to dress-up together as a family. At dinner, Yitzi, the Rosh Mosh, had a lot of “trouble” getting quiet. He “waited” for over twenty minutes, and still, he could “not succeed” at getting the chader ochel to be silent.

Finally, Yitzi stormed out of the chader ochel, and he was nowhere to be found.

Interim Director Avi Roth continued to tell the chanichim how disrespectful they were being, threatening to take away the night tochnit. The chanichim were disappointed, and finally the chader ochel was quiet. However, little did the chanichim know, IT WAS MACCABIA!!!

All the events of today were building up for this Maccabia break-out.

Check out the website for pictures, and don’t forget to watch the Moshava Minute!

Moshevet Binyan Olam started out with a bang.  Literally.

Each month in camp a different noseh  (theme) is chosen.  This time around we chose to focus on the aspects of the creation of the world.   Through the interpretations of the commentaries, we will learn the significance of the placement of the book of Bereishit.  It is not just a coincidence that the story of creation comes before the books that hold the mitzvot.

Specifically, the tochnit will learn about the first seven days of creation through informal programming.  There will be a maccabia (color war) with different team names that will represent different days.  And what better way to appreciate nature than to go on a machane chutz.

On a broader spectrum, shiur for the chanichim will take a whole new role.  They will learn about different stories throughout Tanach and modern Jewish history that will hopefully show them that God takes a very significant place in everyday life.  Each week, the shiur will deal with a topic and create multi- media and movies about what they have learned.  The goal is that the chanichim will get so involved in the story and their own interpretations, that they will relive the history and experience it themselves.  (These videos will be posted online as they become available)

The name “Binyan Olam” is two fold.  First, it emphasizes God’s role in the building of this world.  Second, it is taken from the bracha in shemonah esrei about Yerushalayim.  It is our hope that the chanichim will see God in everyday life and realize that He is the one who provides us with State of Israel.  At the end of the month the chanichim will hopefully go home with a greater love for Religious Zionism and understand that there is only one true Jewish home- Israel.

Moshava’s leadership invites you to spend a special day up at camp to gain a new perspective on LEADING Moshava into future. You’ll see how much things have changed up at camp and you’ll have the opportunity to talk to volunteer leaders, staff, and chanichim about this year’s program.

Click here for the full flier and registration form

Friday was a busy day in Machaneh as the first day of camp as well as Erev Shabbat. Chanichim had a full day of sports and swimming, and pre-Shabbat nikayon, in which all the Kvutzot scored highs of 4s and 5s. For the first official mifkad of the month, the campers were full of enthusiasm as they sang Yad Achim and Hatikvah.

Jack Gottesman lead a beautiful Kabbalat Shabbat. One could feel the chanichim’s energy as they sang and danced to Lecha Dodi, which could be heard from The Hill! The excitement continued as the chanichim danced to the Chader Ochel. The ruach-filled Friday night meal consisted of food, singing, and of course, more dancing.

On Shabbat day, the chanichim participated in Snif lead by Mach Hach, and Mischak Hagadol lead by Sganiot Katie Matanky and Daniella Strick. Slow Shirah was inspirational and was followed by an intense first Havdallah lead by Rosh Mosh, Yitzi Matanky. Motzei Shabbat night swim was so much fun, can’t wait for a fun-filled week at Machaneh!

Stay tuned for the Moshava Minute!