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

Shabbat Evening Service

July 25, 2014

Cabin 9: Seeing the Beauty in Things

Opening Song

L’cha Dodi page 138

A month away from a phone or computer seems like something that wouldn’t be considered “beautiful” for most people. Living in nature for 4 weeks isn’t fun for some. However, being away from our devices for this period of time brings us closer to the people we love and live with. With no phones and computers to distract us, we are given the opportunity to look up, live in the moment and be with nature. Let us appreciate our surroundings and appreciate the trees and animals that add to the beauty of the nature. GUCI gives us the chance to see the real beauty in things. -Sydney Levine

Barchu page 146

The Ma’ariv Aravim is when we thank G-d for the amazing and wonderful things in nature here at camp. I appreciate nature more than Israel. If you be quiet for a second, you will hear different kinds of birds, the wind blowing the leaves, maybe people laughing and running, and sometimes the water flowing. That is finding the beauty in the nature. If you don’t be quiet, you won’t notice that. Before we thank G-d for the beauty of nature you need to find G-d. -Ifat Nahor

Ma’ariv Aravim page 148

Ahavat Olam page 150

At the start, when my parents told me that I got to go to camp, I was excited. But, as time went on and the days before camp arrived, so did the fears. Are they going to understand me? Are they going to accept me? But, when I landed and first came to camp, I wasn’t thinking about those things, I was thinking about all of the green and beauty and the good spirit. Then I felt much better after I saw the beauty in things. -Noya Jaffe

Sh’ma/V’ahavta page 152

It is my first year at camp and everyone has accepted me and became my good friend. To me, that’s a miracle; the Mi Chamocha is based on miracles, while we sing, think of miracles that happened in your life time.-Kayla Laufenberg

Mi Chamocha page 158

There is beauty everywhere, take a moment to look around you. You have your friends, and nature and camp itself. Everyday, I wake up and go to roll call and see the connection between everyone. That’s beautiful to me. Although there might not be peace in this world, we all have a place we can go to find peace; and for some that’s GUCI, at home, or with your friends. Although life isn’t the easiest thing, look around at how beautiful everything is and how far you have come. So, take a look around and find peace. -Marcelle Lobar

Hashkiveinu page 160

V’shamru page 162

Amidah page 166

People judge based on looks. I won’t lie, I’ve judged people when I first seen them. Honestly, it’s human nature. What I am trying to say is that you should try to look through the external properties of a person and look for the internal properties, such as how funny they are or how kind they are. I know this is cliché, but please don’t judge a book by it’s cover and try finding the beauty of things. -Madison Cooper

Mi Shebeirach l’Chayalei Tzahal

Shalom Rav page 178

Here at camp during services is where I see the beauty of things. During Silent Prayer, while others thoughts may be wandering, I take the time to look around and take it in all the amazing things around me. The beautiful trees, the wind blowing, the birds chirping. Most of all I take the time to be thankful for being here, my favorite place in the entire world, surrounded by my best friends in the world. Before I came to camp, I didn’t know anything would be as amazing as the connections we continue to make each summer at GUCI. My counselors, cabin mates, and best friends make me feel loved and accepted, and that is where I find the beauty of things. -Hannah Rozenson

Silent Prayer

Aleinu page 586

The Kaddish Yatom is not just about morning those that we have lost, but also celebrating life, and all the beauty it contains. Life has upsetting and beautiful moments, in addition to those that can’t be put into words. A lot of times we don’t realize how valuable a moment is until it has passed. We are all given amazing opportunities, whether they are creating relationships, seeing the world, or just living life. Take advantage of these opportunities, because they don’t come around every day. -Izzy Segal

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.