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

July 21, 2014

Cabin 3: Perseverance

Opening Song

The Bar’chu is about preparing for prayer and I’ve always wanted to be a rock star. Starting a service is like starting a music career. You have to prepare yourself. I started taking guitar lessons about a year ago and I am starting to learn chords. Believe me, it’s not easy. But if I really want to be a rock star, I am not going to give up just because it’s hard. I know there’s still more difficult things ahead. –Jackie Forshaw

Bar’chu

I have always wanted to be one of those people who gets over their fears as soon as they have the chance. More than that, I have wanted to be one of those people who doesn’t overcome obstacles right away from but they always say “That was awesome!” and try again until they overcome their fears instead of refusing to try again. I was terrified when I was on the Migdal last year, and I didn’t make it very far. As soon as I had the chance to try rock climbing again, I jumped at the opportunity. I am still bad at it. But, when I am asked what my goal for the Migdal is, I will say “Farther than next year.” That is how life is. -Lila Herzig

Ma’ariv Aravim

The Ahavat Olam is about how much G-d loves the people of Israel and how brave it was for G-d to give us the Torah. Think about how scary it must have been for the Jewish people to receive the Torah, the holiest book. Think of how hard is for G-d to keep leading the people of Israel. When G-d gets really mad, the world floods, but does he give up? No, he perseveres and knows that we will get better. When you think about it, it’s kind of crazy that G-d has held onto us this whole time. When you sing the Ahavat Olam, think about how lucky we are that G-d loves the Jewish people and doesn’t give up on us. -Abigail Segal

Ahavat Olam

Whenever I recite the Sh’ma it always gives me hope. Hope and faith is what has gotten me through hard times. Perseverance is what has gotten me to achieve great things. But, faith in G-d is what has gotten me to and through an uncountable number of things. Having faith in G-d is a huge part of the Sh’ma. Think about it. What has having faith in G-d gotten you through? -Natanya Katz

Sh’ma/V’ahavta

When I first started learning to read Hebrew it was hard, but because I didn’t give up, it is now a little easier for me. During the Mi-Chamocha please think about a time where you didn’t give up and think about how much you can accomplish. -Jenna Elgowsky

Mi Chamocha

G-d never gives up on protecting us. G-d will always be there for us. The Hashkiveinu is a sign of trust and kindness. So, thank G-d for the peace G-d gives us. -Emmaleah Stapp

Hashkiveinu

Despite the person you may think I am, I don’t make friends easily. I’m not outgoing or a person who is natural at joining the conversation – one of my many, many flaws. At camp, is when I truly show the side of me who can fit right in. So, everyday I think of that one moment that I can be one with the others. I don’t give up on personality.

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

When my Grandma passed, it was hard for me to find peace. At her funeral, I watched everyone say how they will miss her, but I was thinking maybe it is a good thing she is gone, because she is in a better place. Shalom Rav is a song about peace, so it reminds me of this time, because I found peace. -Elli Rothschild

Shalom Rav

My Mom had breast cancer and during the experience, I talked to G-d, he helped me and my Mom pull through. G-d helped because knowing he was there made us feel special. -Sydney Meyers

Silent Prayer, Yih’yu L’ratzon

One of the main goals I would like to achieve in the future would be to have a wonderful family. -Shae Laufenberg

Aleinu L’shabeiach

The Mourner’s Kaddish to me is hard, because I’ve had a few recent deaths in my life. So, the Mourner’s Kaddish to me is kind of like a challenge, especially since I have to get through it everyday. I need to say it without crying or feeling sad, I need to be happy about the good moments I had with them , and not the sad. Remembering is hard, but it’s important to do, even if you don’t want to. -Melanie Kraus

What I think is really great about the Kaddish Yatom is that It doesn’t mention death once. To me, the point of the prayer is to thank G-d for giving us life and to enjoy your life and others lives. My friend’s sister died of Leukemia. Every time they went to services she had said, after the rabbi named all of the recent deaths before the Kaddish Yatom, “I’ll keep fighting until my names on that list.” She held her promise and was soon enough on the list. But, in my heart, she will always be a survivor because she didn’t give up until the day she died. -Orli Feder

Mourner’s Kaddish

The closing song is like the end of the book. When you finish it, you want there to be a sequel or the book to go on. How this relates to my cabin theme is you never want to give up on finding a sequel to that book. I never want to give up on that sequel to that that service. -Aleeza Schneider

Closing Song