Goldman Union Camp Institute

July 30, 2013

Cabin 13: What We Can Learn From Chutzpa

OPENING SONG

[Part redacted by wish of camper]

Barchu

When God was creating the universe, he must have had a lot of chutzpa. To separate night and day and to create the universe in his image takes guts. You should be like God and have chutzpa. [Name redacted by wish of camper]

Ma’ariv Aravim

Our theme is what we can learn when we or someone else has chutzpa. This relates to the Ahavat Olam because God’s love for the people Israel is very bold. Our relationship with God is bold because we put so much trust in it because Moses was afraid to go to Egypt but he did it anyway because he had a strong relationship with God. – Julian A.

Ahavat Olam

My Grandpa was a great man and role model. I always looked up to him. He had lots of chutzpa. I learned from him that great people can do so much in this world. My grandpa was always helping out in any way he could. I learned a lot from him. – Jacob A.

Sh’ma/V’ahavta

When I heard our theme, I really couldn’t think of anything. But soon I thought of Judaism’s biggest star, the one and only, Moses. Our theme is how chutzpa affects others and ourselves. I mean, who has more chutzpa than Moses? He wasn’t afraid to speak up to Pharaoh, he led all the Jews from Egypt to Israel, and he brought the commandments down from Sinai. – Tyler K.

Mi Chamocha

One time, my sister and I were hanging out in our backyard when a couple of friends walked up and started being mean to us. Instead of getting angry or just letting it happen, my sister spoke up and told them why she didn’t like the way they were treating her. Because she had chutzpa and stood up to her friends, they realized what they were doing was wrong and stopped. I want to be more like my sister and use chutzpa to solve problems. – Julian H.

Hashkiveinu

Our theme is what we can learn when we or others have chutzpa. This relates to the Amidah because it talks about our leaders and ancestors. Most of the time, leaders have chutzpa. Such as MLK, he was not afraid to speak his mind, and he became the leader of the civil rights movement. Our ancestors also had chutzpah such as Sarah, she laughed at the thought of having a child. Or when Moses went to Pharaoh, he spoke his mind. Even in our GUCI community, we have chutzpa. Like after every meal when Chase calls our unit name, we have pride for our unit and say something silly. Chutzpa relates to Judaism because of an old stereotype about Jews having tons of self-pride. For the most part, that is true. Most of my friends at GUCI like speaking their mind. From the things that I’ve said, we learn that with chutzpa, you can get what you want or you can be proved wrong. – Max Y.

Amidah

My service part is the Shalom Rav which talks about peace, wholeness, and blessing. I believe that GUCI is like the Shalom Rav because there is so much peace, while at my home there’s not so much. I hope to bring some of that peace with me. [Name redacted by wish of camper]

Shalom Rav

When I do silent prayer, I try to be as straight up as I can with God. I tell him my thoughts straight from my mind, and silent prayer is my favorite because that’s when I talk to God one on one. – Dan H.

Silent Prayer

Our theme is “what can you learn from chutzpa.” My answer to that is to have some courage, speak up, and be unique. The Aleinu talks about the Jewish community being unique. When I look at the Jewish community at GUCI, everyone here has chutzpa. – Jack P.

Aleinu

The Mourner’s Kaddish is about the celebration of life, not mourning death. Everyone wants to do stuff to be remembered by, but if you don’t have at least a little chutzpa, then you won’t be bold enough to do anything. – Caleb E.

Kaddish Yatom

When people have chutzpa, they speak their mind. When people speak their mind, they say controversial things. When people say controversial things, people get into arguments. When people get into arguments, you see different views about different things. So during this final song, think about what you learned today. – Eric K.

CLOSING SONG