Service for June 29, 2014
Shalom! Almost every evening at camp, we have a different cabin lead T’fillot (services). Each camper writes a part and reads it before all of camp in between the prayers we say or sing as a community. This way, every camper gets the opportunity to share something of themselves with the wider camp, and to teach the community something about their values, Judaism, or their connection to our prayers. Our cabin services make each of our T’fillot that much more unique and meaningful. —Jacob Kraus, T’fillah Specialist
GUCI Evening Service
June 29, 2014
Cabin 5 Topic: What Guci means To Me
Opening Song
What does Guci mean to me? It took me some time to think about this, because Guci means so much to me. This is my first year here and I’m loving it! In the Bar’chu it talks about invitation – that is exactly what Guci is about. –Alyssa Garcia
In the Bar’chu, it talks about the beginning of a conversation. I think of life as a long conversation. During a conversation, there are different parts. Emotions, disagreements, and challenges that make it all up. The words you choose and the friends you choose create a path that will show you the way through – life that you have chosen. To me, Guci gives me more knowledge to use in the “conversation” later. -Emma Zelkind
Bar’chu
My prayer is about changing from day to night. Our service is about what Guci means to me. Before I went to Guci, I went to day camp. Where I live, every summer after summer, I would do the same thing there. But, now that I go to Guci, I get to sleep here and every day is a different day and that is what Guci means to me. -Emily Goldman
Maariv Aravim
I could write a million things saying what Guci means to me, but you wouldn’t want to listen to that. Guci means a lot to me, because I come here for the peacefulness and the kehilla kedosha – the holy community. School year is filled with homework, teachers, and drama. Guci is one of the only places that I can get away from that. Another reason that Guci means a lot to me, is because my sister, whom I love very much started to go and every time she came home, she told amazing stories of an amazing camp called Guci. The Ahavat Olam talks about how G-d loves the Jewish people. I am part of the Jewish people at camp, where I feel closest to G-d. -Amy Niren
Ahavat Olam
I love Guci, because I love to play with my friends. I also love swimming! I love making arts and crafts, I am happy and I love Guci! -Jessica Mossler
Sh’ma/V’ahavta
Why do you come to Guci? I come to Guci because this camp means a lot to me. Guci is my home away from home. Guci might have drama, fights, getting homesick or your own little problem. But if you really think about it, Guci is a place of community, fun, friends, and family. Every year I come home wishing I had never left. Like I said before, Guci is my home away from home.It is only that because of the people around me , making me feel that way. Our cabin is like one big family. The other cabins are one big family too. That makes Guci one big home. At Guci, I can be myself. I’m not afraid of ruining an ego. I’m not perfect, nobody is. But, at Guciit seems like everybody is. I’m free here and I have hope that miracles will happen. –Monya Brandt
Mi Chamocha
Our service theme is what Guci means to me. When I think of Guci, I think of fun, protection to be me, and my community. The Hashkiveinu thanks G-d for protection to be me. I come to Guci looking for a community, not just any community, but a Jewish community. Where I live, there are about 10 Jewish kids that all go to different schools. So, out of 800 kids at my school, I am the only Jew. Being here at Guci provides me an opportunity to meet more Jews around the US. As my favorite book says, “I’m on a roller coaster that only goes up my friend.” -Katherine Brice
Hashkiveinu
August starts my countdown. Eleven months, 5 months, 2 months, 1 month, 1 week, 1 day. I count down till camp. Everyday closer and closer. That’s how important Guci is to me. Guci makes me feel important and special. That’s why I keep counting! -Samantha Mears
Amidah (Avot V’Imahot, G’vurot, Kedushat Hashem)
Peace can mean different things to different people. To me, Guci is the most peaceful place I know of. That’s because of it’s community. You can come here and not feel judged or pressured to be something that you are not. I’m also always happy here because I am surrounded by so many great people. Guci is my chance to be who I truly am. -Emmi Cox
Shalom Rav
Guci. When I think about this word, so many others pop into my head: amazing, fun, fantastic, magical. But, no amount of words can describe what Guci means to me. This is my 5th summer here at camp. From 1st year Garin to 1st year Gezah, I have come here to have an amazing summer that no other camp could supply! From bunk night to migdal, canoeing to Shabbat, swimming to yom tiyule, this camp is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Nobody doesn’t have fun or doesn’t want to come back. Although there may be some rough spots here and there, all and all it’s incredible. A summer of magic, a summer at Guci. -Sara Naveh
Silent Prayer, Yih’yu L’ratzon
Although this is only my second year here at Guci, I know this is where I should be next summer, after that, and a ton more years! Lucky, at the end of 2013, I went to the Western Wall in Israel. There, I wished I could come back. Gladly, my wish came true. Our theme is what Guci means to me. I honestly don’t know what to say besides this is my home. I now know to appreciate everything. -Addi Tsirulnik
Aleinu L’shabeiach
One of the first bunk notes I received was from my Dad. He said, “I still remember two years ago when I dropped you off. You’ve grown up so much since then. I hope you are having fun. Love, Dad.” At that moment, I didn’t really put that much thought into it, but now I understand that while everyone else saw me changing, the person who really needed to see the change never saw it. Guci isn’t just a camp to me, it’s a paradise! People should know that my paradise isn’t perfect. No place is perfect, and I’ve learned to accept that my life, my friends, my family and I will never be perfect. Yet, I still live life, as it is perfect. -Lydia Ellinger
Mourner’s Kaddish
When you look up into the sky, the branches block the view. On those branches, there are green leaves. When the sun hits the leaves, the look of it fills me up. This is my 5th year at camp. Ever since my 1st year here, I have always looked up at these beautiful leaves. It fills me with the same amazing feeling. To me, this is where beauty is, where beauty is in everything and everyone; where I can be anything I want. I’ve always said, “It’s easier to be nice when no one is judging.” It’s easier to move on here. I could never write a single sentence of what Guci means to me, because there are as many things that Guci means to me as there are stars in the sky. -Talia Granick
Closing Song