Music is a big part of life at URJ Camp Coleman, and summer 2010 was no exception. At camp we experienced energetic songsessions, music-filled t'fillah, talented guest artists, spontaneous Israeli dance parties, Coleman Rocks performances, and much more. If you want to take a musical taste of summer 2010 home with you, we've put together an iTunes iMix playlist that includes a selection of songs we sang all summer.
You can also find the electronic version of Tutim here or listen to the link below:
We hope that you enjoy these songs throughout the year!!
Our Tarbut elective program is just one area of camp that we are very proud of here at Coleman. Campers can choose from drama, arts & crafts, video, ceramics, and many more areas that are offered in order for them to grow their creative side. One area that has become more and more popular over the years is digital photography. Here are two slideshows from 2nd session that are made up of photos taken by campers. These pictures are absolutely amazing and all of them capture the beauty of Coleman. Enjoy!!!
In honor of Tisha B’Av—the holiday commemorating the many tragedies of the Jewish people—the Machon and Machon Adventure Programs organized a Solidarity March for Gilad Shalit. Shalit is an Israeli soldier who was captured by Hamas in June 2006. Four years have now passed, and Shalit has still not been returned to his family. In that time, he has been kept in total isolation and has been denied visits from humanitarian aid groups. The Machon participants felt a strong connection to him, given that he is close to them in age. Shalit was 19 when he was captured.
“I’m only 17, and I know I haven’t experienced enough of life yet, so I’m sure Gilad hasn’t either.” -Alex
On the day of Tisha B’Av, the whole camp dressed in blue and white and marched from the office to the dining hall. The Machon prepared blue wristbands to give to every camper, and every staff member received a blue armband that said “Free Gilad.” We carried balloons, Israeli flags, picket signs reading “Support Gilad” and “Peace Now,” and a giant banner with a picture of Gilad on it, while somber Hebrew songs played on the P.A. system.
The dining hall was decorated in blue and white, and when the march arrived, the Machon read a letter they are sending to Gilad’s family, describing the day’s activities.
North American and Israeli staff members joined together to offer a prayer for Shalit. The original prayer was written by Coleman’s drama specialist, Craig Thompson.
There are many casualties of war in this world. Let Gilad not be among them. There are many unhealthy people in this world. Let Gilad not be among them. There are many unhappy people in this world. Let Gilad not be among them. There are many lonely people in this world. Let Gilad not be among them. There are many people without hope in this world. Let Gilad not be among them. There are many captive people in this world. Let Gilad not be among them. There are many silent people in this world. Let us not be among them.
We pray to you, O God, for the safe and speedy return of Gilad Shalit to his family in Israel. And in the meantime, we pray that he is healthy and safe, and that he find peace in the love of his friends and family and comfort in the knowledge that we are not silent, that people around the world are actively working to bring him home. And let us say, Amen.
Additionally, members of the camp community signed the following petition:
“We demand that Hamas abide by international humanitarian law and afford Gilad Shalit his rights to proper medical care. Moreover, we ask that Gilad be afforded the right of communication with his family and the outside world, and we ask for the immediate end to his inhumane treatment. We also ask that Gilad be returned safely and in good health to his home and family in Israel as soon as possible.”
The whole camp is now participating in a run-a-thon to raise money for the Keren Maor Foundation, which supports Gilad solidarity events around the world. Staff members can pledge a dollar amount for every lap they run around the lake. The initiative is called “Exercise Your Freedom.”
Welcome to our blog - your all-access pass to the Coleman experience! Check back often for updates from camp, videos, photos and more. Tell us what you think >
Parenting
Podcasts: Observations
from Dr. Wendy Mogel
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Dr.
Wendy Mogel is an internationally known
clinical psychologist, public speaker and
author of the New York Times
best-selling parenting book,
