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 17, 2014

Cabin 6: Community As An Ecosystem

 

Opening Song

 

What is the same aspect that is the give in an ecosystem and Guci? Our reliance is on each other. If you think about it, we are the ones who set the tone for next year or the next session. For instance, if we start the session with lots of ruach, then we set the tone to a fast pace upbeat mood. This will affect the mood of everyone around you and make camp more enjoyable. Without each other, there would be no community and nothing would get done. With the Barchu we set the tone and we get the mood established. -Abby Lettoi

 

Bar’chu

 

One theme of the Ma’ariv Aravim is creation. G-d created each part of every ecosystem for a reason. Those individual pieces need to come together in order to be successful. If one part is missing, everything falls apart, and the ecosystem is no longer an ecosystem. This, in a way, is similar to our Guci community. While we may be individuals, we all have to come together, for the magic of camp to take effect. The best part is, no one person is more important than another. This metaphor not only makes me feel important and reliable, but also secure and humbled. I know I can be counted on to bring my own unique qualities to the group., and I can also depend on others to contribute their character traits to the whole; and when a whole, I hope you get to experience that special magic that only happens here at Guci. -Bryn S.

 

Maariv Aravim

 

An important part of community is love. Without love, our entire ecosystem wouldn’t work. In camp, if the counselors don’t love their campers, the cabin will fall apart. In Judaism, we are taught to love the Torah. The Torah keeps the Jews together. Love helps to make an ecosystem. -Leia Pfeffer

 

Ahavat Olam

 

The Sh’ma is the platform or the base of the service. It states the Lord is our G-d the Lord is one. This is a main theme of Judaism.  Without saying this, the service would not make sense. Just like, if you took out the bottom level of an ecosystem the ecosystem would collapse. Say there were no insects, then the animals that eat insects would die and the animals that eat them die and so on and so forth. The same thing would happen to a community. If you took out one person, you would lose their ideas, and everything they do for the community. The community could not be as successful. If at Guci, you took out the campers, the counselors, and top deck would have no jobs. Every part of a community is important. -Ari Gleick

 

Sh’ma/V’ahavta

 

Our cabin theme is about the jungle and when I think about it, the jungle is a community. Without one species, the jungle systems would be out of whack. Species, the jungle would over populate, under populate, or die out. This is a lot like camp. Without one unit, camp wouldn’t run correctly. We really are a kehilla kedosha or a holy community. This also relates to me personally, I know that I wouldn’t be who I am without my friends and family shaping me. The animals in the jungle wouldn’t be the same without others. Take lions for example. They are said to be the king of the jungle, but what is a leader without followers? They need others to make them who they are. We need each other to be where we are. -Leah Doares

 

Mi Chamocha

 

In the Hashkiveinu we thank G-d for allowing shelter. In our community as an ecosystem theme, we as a community have to protect our shelter. Given our shelter is made of multiple creations; a Jewish teaching is to take care of each creation. We join others to make a community like multiple trees would come to together to make an ecosystem. -Lily Falender

 

Hashkiveinu

 

A community is made up of many things working together as one. Over generations, our ancestors have built a community. Today, we continue to build up a community through Guci, just like generations before us.  –Jenna Kerschner

 

Amidah (Avot V’Imahot, G’vurot, Kedushat Hashem)

 

A person is at peace when they can accept what they cannot change. A person cannot change a community. A person can change themselves. A peaceful community is made up of people who understand that they cannot make others change. They can alter their attitudes, lend a helping hand, and improve the health of the whole group. Each person’s impact is small, but when they all offer what they have, as they strive for personal peace, communal peace is achieved. Think about the changes you make in the quest for peace during Shalom Rav, our prayer for peace. -Tess Kelly

 

Shalom Rav

 

Guci is an ecosystem. Each of us are different, we have our strengths and weaknesses. As an eco-system, we work together to make this wonderful placed called camp. We are a Jewish community. Not just here, but with other Jews around the world. Together we are able to pray with open hearts and form connections with G-d. -Ellie Caplan

 

Silent Prayer, Yih’yu L’ratzon

 

In an ecosystem, each plant and animal is unique, but they somehow all work together to make a functional ecosystem. Guci works this way too. Each camper, counselor, Avodahnik, and top deck member is special and unique. But, we all work together and create Guci. The Aleinu talks about how we all need to appreciate what makes us unique. But, like we do at Guci, they work together to make a community. -Sarah Naiman

 

Aleinu L’shabeiach

 

When someone you love passes away, it is hard. What helps you get through it is how community comes together and soothes you. When someone passes, it is part of life and when community comes to help you get through this rough patch they are completing to our communal ecosystem. -Grace Lefton

 

Mourner’s Kaddish

 

In an ecosystem, everything is connected. Each piece contributes to the overall success of the system. Just like a jigsaw puzzle, if one piece is missing, the picture is not complete. If you remove all of the leaves in a jungle, then the trees will not survive. Without the trees, many animals will die. Without these animals, bigger creatures will not have food, and they will starve. This would go on and on until nothing is left. Each and every piece, no matter how small is important. The same kind of thing is true of our community here at Guci. We are all pieces in a puzzle, and we are all needed to make the picture complete. Each and every one of you is important, and has a special place in our community. – Sydney Young

 

Closing Song – Kehilah Kedoshah

 

If you are “atem,” then we’re “nitzavim.”

We stand here today and remember the dream.

Kehilah kedoshah

 

Yai lai lai…

 

It’s how we help, it’s how we give.

It’s how we pray, it’s how we heal, it’s how we live.