Shabbat Evening Service

June 13, 2014

Cabin 17: Peacefulness

Opening Song

L’cha Dodi page 138

The Barchu is the prayer that calls us to services. When we are called to services it is a time of peace. I view it as a time when we are all together with no problems and devote our time to G-d. – Quint Kaufman

Barchu page 146

The Ma’ariv Aravim encompasses all the nature around us we see and love. Within nature and these creations, we can find our inner peace, or “happy place.” The place where I am perfectly content is back at home near Fox Island. To explain it a little, floating on the cool water in the middle of a vast lake, gleaming into the sky filled with immense clouds and light warming your body. As I float, I take time to recognize nature, G-d’s creation. I hope you all find your special lake as well. Shabbat Shalom. – Ryan Tom

Ma’ariv Aravim page 148

The prayer Ahavat Olam talks about the love of G-d and the gift of Torah. These key ideas relate to the theme of peace because G-d loves us and he gave us the Torah. The Torah is a great book and telling of the time before us when there was less peace than there is today. – Jacob Auvil

Ahavat Olam page 150

Our service theme is peacefulness. Peacefulness is a fairly uncommon event, with the excitement of camp, of the troubles of everyday life. Everyone here at services is given the experience of true peace, with themselves, their community, and with G-d, and to bring peace with G-d. So now, thanks to Guci, I can have peace with G-d. – Devon Brandt

Sh’ma/V’ahavta page 152

The Mi Chamocha relates to our theme because when the Jews escaped Egypt they were at peace, because they were no longer slaves in Egypt. – Aaron Victor

Mi Chamocha page 158

The Hashkiveinu is about thanking G-d for going to sleep each night. It’s also about the slice of peace. The Hashkiveinu is peaceful for me the way it sounds here at camp. It’s not just the melody of it; it’s all the people singing it. – Asher Grinberg

Hashkiveinu page 160

Today is Shabbat, on Shabbat we rest. That is pretty hard to do not peacefully. I am glad that here at Guci, we have a day of rest. Otherwise we would be tired without Shabbat. – Brett Sayre

V’shamru page 162

Amidah page 166

Peace is usually not a common thing, but camp is like a gold mine when it comes to peace. Not having to worry about anything like getting homework done, getting chores done, etc. There is a time and place for everything. Friends and counselors cheering you on to do whatever you are doing. Like I said, this place is a gold mine when it comes to peace. – Jack Braun

Shalom Rav page 178

The Silent Prayer is a time to talk to G-d. You can decide what you want to talk about. For me, I ask for peace. I ask for peace within my family, between my cabin mates and within camp, because a camp with no peace is not a good camp at all. The reason I ask for peace is because I never want to see a community without peace. Nothing good ever comes from no peace. – Isaac Stewart

Silent Prayer

In the future, it should really have peace. Peace is gained when you are just relaxing in your own mind. Most of us probably achieve this nature when we are alone or with good friends and family. During the Aleinu, it talks about the future, and they’re right. If you have doubts on your own future, do something to change it. – Jacob Gottlieb

Aleinu page 586

The last sentence in the Kaddish Yatom says, “May the source of peace send peace to all who mourn.” Our theme is peacefulness. Peace can be sent from G-d and others. GUCI gives me peace. At GUCI, the ruach is the most peaceful thing to me. Peace doesn’t always have to mean peace and quiet; but whatever and wherever you are the most happy. – Zach Carini

Kaddish Yatom page 598

War and peace. It can be hard to find peace in our daily lives. War rages a countryside, people are kidnapped, and children live in regions where soda costs more than 65 cents! It can be hard to find peace and positivity when we are constantly distracted by the negative things around us. Yet, despite these tragedies, we can gather together for 26 days and not be troubled by the unfortunate events in the world. We can be at peace at Guci, away from politics, St. Louis Cardinals scores, and a sharp longing for each. Then, tonight, we are at peace; we’ve found it. – Ethan Zweig

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.