Goldman Union Camp Institute

July 26, 2013

Cabin 6: Where We Find Judaism

L’chu N’ranana page 130

L’chu n’ranana l’Adonai

Naria l’tzur yisheinu

Go forth singing songs of joy to God! We will shout to the rock of salvation!

Let us sing out to God, maker of all sure and strong

Let all of creation from mountain to sea hear our song!

For all of the wonder in all of God’s light, we rejoice

So now let us listen with all of our hearts to hear God’s voice!

L’cha Dodi page 138

I live in a town where there are not a lot of Jewish people, but when I go to the town where my temple is, I feel welcome and appreciated because I’m around people with the same values as me and they understand me! So, when I go to temple, that’s where I find my Judaism. – Alexis W.

Please rise and turn to page one hundred and forty six for Barchu

Barchu page 146

Normally, I don’t think about being Jewish 24/7. Most of my friends aren’t Jewish. But here at GUCI, I feel like I can find the most Judaism in my friends. I can see it in the chamsas on their necklaces, the Star of David bracelets, and the t-shirts with funny Hebrew sayings. My friends at GUCI remind me every day how great it is to be Jewish, and I always know where to find the most Judaism, and that’s GUCI. – Sydney L.

Please join in Ma’ariv Aravim on page one hundred and forty eight

Ma’ariv Aravim page 148

Our theme is where we find Judaism. I feel most connected to God when we sing the Ahavat Olam. This prayer is telling us how much God loves each and every one of us for different and unique reasons. When I sing this song, I feel proud to be Jewish, because God gave me that special part in my life. Here at GUCI, there is love surrounding me and everyone else everywhere I look. God gave us this special opportunity to be here right now. So cherish every moment. – Bari L.

Please turn to page one hundred and fifty

Ahavat Olam page 150

I find my Judaism at GUCI. Just like in the Sh’ma, we are supposed to listen to G-d and believe in one G-d. When I am at home, I don’t really get a lot of time to listen to G-d. I am always busy with school or sports. But at GUCI they help me so much. I can become closer to G-d and get that special time every day. – Hanna M.

Please turn to page one hundred and fifty two and rise for Sh’ma

Sh’ma/V’ahavta page 152

My service part is where we find Judaism. For me, finding my Judaism is in a place that I feel welcome, like at my congregation or home. At GUCI, I feel like I can let my Judaism show. The Mi Chamocha is about celebrating freedom. I feel like I am free to let my Judaism show when I am at camp. – Megan G.

Please join on page one hundred and fifty eight

Mi Chamocha page 158

I find my Judaism in the V’shamru. The V’shamru is really important. It’s important because it only comes once a week, just like Shabbat. To me, this prayer is important because of how things are special when they come once in a while. It’s just like camp. GUCI only comes once in a while, which makes it more special. That’s what I find in the V’shamru, and how it relates to my Judaism. – Morgan K.

Please turn to page one hundred and sixty two

V’shamru page 162

I find Judaism in lots of places. I find it at Hebrew school, Synagogue, and at home. Here at GUCI though, is where I feel most Jewish. It’s the one month in the year where I can express my Jewish heritage. Every year I come back to camp, I rediscover my Judaism in new ways. I can’t wait to come back once again. – Julia G.

Please join in the Amidah on page one hundred and sixty six

Amidah page 166

When I am sitting in the Beit T’fillah next to my friends, I feel connected to G-d. It’s one of the only times during the day when you can be at peace. When I’m in the Beit T’fillah, sometimes I’ll just want to tune everyone else out and be in my own bubble, but other times I’ll want to be together with everyone. The way that both could happen in the same spot at the same time shows the wholeness and oneness of GUCI. That’s what Shalom Rav is talking about—peace and wholeness. – Eve K.

Please turn to page one hundred and seventy eight for Shalom Rav

Shalom Rav page 178

The place where I find my Judaism is here at camp. When we’re all gathered in the Beit T’fillah praying together, it feels so different from services at home. Living at an all-Jewish camp for four weeks really pulls us all together, where at home we are just joining together as a community. But we join here at GUCI as a big Jewish family. – Ellie C.

Please take a moment for silent prayer

Silent Prayer

The Aleinu is about how G-d made us unique and different. Look around you. Each one of us has a very unique personality. But there is one very distinct similarity, we are all Jewish. I find my Judaism by being unique. Where do you find your Judaism? – Michelle B.

Please rise and turn to page five hundred and eighty six for Aleinu

Aleinu page 586

I found my Judaism on June 8, 2013. It was the day that I led Shabbat services for the first time and became a woman in the Jewish community. On the days and months leading up to my Bat Mitzvah, I didn’t really know why I had done all of this work for one day of my life. Now I know that my Bat Mitzvah was to strengthen my Judaism for my life to come. The Kaddish Yatom celebrates life. My Bat Mitzvah celebrated my becoming a Bat Mitzvah in my life. – Leah S.

Please rise and turn to page five hundred and ninety eight

Kaddish Yatom page 598

Oseh Shalom

Oseh shalom bimromav, Hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu

V’al kol Yisra’el. V’imru: Amen.

May the One who makes peace in High Places make peace for us and for all the world. And let us say: Amen.