Goldman Union Camp Institute

July 16, 2013

Cabin 11: How Judaism Makes Us Better

OPENING SONG

Being Jewish has bettered me by allowing me to understand others and their religions. Being Jewish, I’ve learned patience and passion. These are two ways being Jewish helped me to better myself. – Avi K.

Barchu

Judaism makes us better because it gives us opportunities to go to camp. When I first got here, I was nervous, but then I found a friend from last year and thought, I’ll get to see that friend every year. Bringing friends together is why I’m glad to be Jewish. – Benny C.

Ma’ariv Aravim

Judaism makes us better because of the Ten Commandments. Our laws make us unique because Moses found the two tablets with our Ten Commandments. – Jacob K.

Ahavat Olam

Being Jewish has made me a better person in lots of ways. Whether it’s learning about my great ancestors or sitting in my temple listening to the prayers, I feel special as a Jew. God gave us the Ten Commandments as sort-of guidelines. These guidelines help us to be better by making us Jewish, and being Jewish has made me better. – Noah L.

Sh’ma/V’ahavta

I think Judaism makes us better people because it gives us a freedom to think and believe what we want. It also gives us freedom that lets us do anything we want. – Simon S.

Mi Chamocha

Being Jewish has made me a better person by teaching me to give to charity. It has taught me to give back to my community and to be grateful for what I have. – Cyle G.

The Hashkiveinu thanks God for allowing us to fall asleep each night. This makes us better because with sleep we won’t be tired and grouchy the next day. – Brandon K.

Hashkiveinu

Our cabin theme is the dojo. The Amidah teaches us to learn from our ancestors. This is just like in our dojo where we learn from our sensei. They teach us to learn from our mistakes. – Jacob L.

Amidah

Judaism has made me better on multiple levels and in many ways, such as teaching me what to do and what not to do, and to give Tzedakah. Since going to services, I’ve given Tzedakah to my local zoo multiple times and to the Red Cross once. I’ve decided not to do things which I might have done before I started going to services. That’s why I think Judaism has made me a better person. – Josh R.

Shalom Rav

Our cabin theme is how Judaism makes us better. In the Silent Prayer, you can thank God, or ask about your Judaism. Our theme relates to me because prayer makes me better when we all come together as a community and praise God. Jews are all different in their own special way, just like each Silent Prayer. Since I come for both sessions, I have to come, leave, and come back again. In that time, I have learned how to sing, pray, and more. I’ve stepped up in maturity and Judaism. GUCI is my second home where I can be a Jew, and become better. – Brad K.

During the Silent Prayer, I pray that my family and I are healthy. Praying to God makes me a better person because when I pray it makes me feel special. Praying also makes me kinder to others because I realize that God gives me the opportunity to be kind. – Eli J.

Silent Prayer

We, as Jews, can be made better by our religion. For example, the Aleinu mentions that we are unique, and separated from other religions, which can also bring us closer to those religions. Also, we have rituals that help increase our patience and respect for our Judaism and each other. And, through lots of services and learning, we can learn to appreciate things others pay no attention to. – Sam K.

Aleinu

All of the prayers we read make us better in life. When I hear these prayers, I think I get stronger and better than before. These prayers help me be a better Jew, what about you? – Noah F.

Kaddish Yatom

CLOSING SONG