Winding Down

We're approaching an end to our time here at Sephardic Adventure Camp, we've had a successful summer and second week. 


Today we had our annual SAC talent show where the campers all had the chance to show off their special skills; From dance, song, jokes and more. We were privileged to have a special performance from Maccabeat, Yonatan Shefa who performed "One Day" with our very own Albert Maimon. For dinner, we had SAC's first annual Salmon bake! The pleasant aromas filled the entire campsite. 'Delicious' would be an understatement. 


Tonights night activity was "Picture Scavenger Hunt". Each bunk with the help of their counselors had to run around camp with a list of things they had to take pictures of. The cabins were judged on promptness and creativity. Tonight's winner was B1!

Winners, B1 with the goatman!

B3 Serenading Yonatan Shefa

G3 making Kitchen staff member, Daniella Rivkin, smile 

B2 Cabin photo

G2 making a raiding Eli Varon and making a mess!

Yesterday was Yom Yisrael- Israel Day, at camp! From start to finish we ate, breathed and learned about everything Israel. 

We started off the day with sessions, taught by special visitors, Hazzan Frank Varon of SBH, Rachely Hemmat and Rabbi Meyers. Campers were taught and tested on their Israel knowledge in different categories like Geography, Biblical references and Famous Israeli inventions. 

After sessions the boys and the girls split up to do separate activities. The boys were led by the esteemed Dr. Larry Adatto (a.k.a. Chana and Ephraim's dad) and Chana's fiancee Yonatan Shefa, in tzitzit making. The girls cooked baclava and enjoyed Israeli dancing with Rachely Hemmat and Sharon Adatto. 

For lunch we had a yummy falafel meal, complete with pita, chips, salad, tehina and babaganoush. Kadima for the Kitchen crew for a job well done! After lunch we had a short menucha and then we had Maccabia games. Campers were divided into teams Maccabi Tel Aviv and Baytar Yerushalayim, to play Ultimate Frisbee and basketball. The fun didn't stop there, afterwards everyone went with their bunks to rotating stations. In each station we were engaged in different aspects of Israeli culture. 

Station 1: Song learning- Ahavat Yisrael Ba'Neshama

Station 2: Israel Trivia

Station 3: Writing letters to Israeli Soldiers and/or letters for the Kotel

Station 4: All camp art project creating a Degel Yisrael

Station 5: SAC Shuk- Market

The night activity, reported to be one of the best ones yet, was Tzahal Boot Camp! The light drizzle provided the perfect weather conditions to crawl through the mud, jump over benches, run around the field and climb the rock wall. 

2nd Shabbat/ You, I and We Enjoy SAC Rodeo

This past weekend we had a wonderful last Shabbat at SAC. We were fortunate to be joined by, not only Rabbi Owen, but also Rabbi Meyers and his family. The parsha was read eloquently by B3 Ephraim Adatto in honor of his 7th bar mitzvah anniversary. Although Eli Varon was away, tending to Seattle simchot- Shout out to Sam Amiel and his family, Mazal tov on your bar mitzvah, we still had four delectable meals thanks to head chef, Shulamit!

Colletive- Improv group

Last night was packed night at Sephardic Adventure Camp. Three members of an improvisation troupe, Collective came up to camp and performed skits and played various games with all the campers and staff. Each activity focused on a different techniques and ways of interacting. We played a game called You, I and We, where everyone was divided into two lines and the first person from one line would make an You statement, such as: Your braggas are showing. The second person would respond with an  I statement, like: I lost my belt. The first person would then have to create a We statement based on the previous dialogue: We should go shopping and buy you a new one.

Following improv, everyone was instructed to go back to their cabins to change into their country western get up and head to the mess hall. In the mess hall we had a Hoe Down Throw Down! There was a boot cake, bull riding and line dancing. We had a rockin good time!

Color War

Judges Leon Covitz and Chana Adatto 

When color war was announced the kids were so relieved. Campers and counselors were split into two teams: Blue "Chagim" and Black "Shabbat". Following breakfast the teams had their first competition in Chidon Hatanach, a test on their Torah knowledge. Right after this teams had their first meetings to prepare their cheers, songs and banner. The day continued with field sports and swimming. For dinner, everybody ate, an extremely messy spaghetti meal, with everything but their hands.  The night activity was an intense game of capture the flag. 

The first activity of the second day was all camp soccer, camper vs. camper and staff vs. staff. After soccer everybody headed to "dancing lunch". From the time lunch started till it ended, everybody was required to dance their pants off. Lunch ended with a blue vs. black dance off. The next activity on the agenda was the Apache relay. Campers needed to complete      tasks while runners were chosen from each team to perform the relay. It was a close call, but black finished first with Eva Goodman's rapid gorging of a watermelon. 

Teams were given two more opportunities to put the finishing touches on their presentations. At 7:45 everybody met in the Mess Hall for their performances. 

Black Team song to "Let My Love Open the Door"

When Leon said SAC was over

everybody started to cry

but then we all became closer

and wiped the tears from our eyes

Then Samis opened the door

and they announced color war

Shamor Vezachor, Be'dibur Echad.

(shamor vezachor, Oooooh)

The blue team keeps on thinking

that they're gonna win this war

well they can keep on dreaming

just take a look at the score

Blacks gonna win this war

blues gonna hit the floor

shabbat Ledorotam, Brit Olam

(blacks gonna win this war, shabbat shalom) x4

The only key to shabbat 

is break away from what we've got

Lecha Dodi Likrat Kallah

Penne Shabbat Nekabelah!

Good Shabboss (what?)

Shabbat Shalom

Blacks gonna win this war.

Weinz is gonna beg for more

Sheeeeeeeeeeeefa

Ariel Matityahu

Once color war is all done

we are all sephardic jews

a shout out to all the judges

we would like to say thank you

blacks gonna win this war

blues gonna hit the floor

shabbat ledorotam berit olam

Black's banner- Theme Shabbat, Pasuk "V'shamru bnei Yisrael et HaShabbat LaAsot et HaShabbat... L'Dorotam brit olam"

Blue Team song to "We are the World"

Here comes a rhyme

From a special kahal

Where Sphards come together as one

There were campers crying

We were almost ashkenaz

Almost, the greatest fall of all

Camp can't go on

Pretending day by day

That SAMIS somehow will soon make a change

We didn't back down

Stood up for S-A-C

And with Torah, you know Chagim are we need

Chorus:

Vi-sa-mach-ta

Bi-cha-ge-cha

The holidays make a brighter day

Let's start rejoicing

There was matzah baking

Hashem saved all our lives

Chag SAC-me-ach

Half you and me

Bluuuuuueeeeee….

Mish-lo-ach Ma-not

Just like the queen Esther

And her cries for help

Were not in vain

So we must remember

And celebrate today

Eat meat

And drink our hearts away

Chorus:

Vi-sa-mach-ta

Bi-cha-ge-cha

The holidays make a brighter day

Let's start rejoicing

There was matzah baking

Hashem saved all our lives

Chag SAC-me-ach

Won't you join me

After day one

There was no hope at all

But we have su-kot

And  there's no way we can fall

Blue, Blue, Blue

Let us realize

Black Sabbath will never come

When blue stands together as one

RAP

(One, Two, Three)

Chorus (X2):  GO CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vi-sa-mach-ta

Bi-cha-ge-cha

The holidays make a brighter day

Let's start rejoicing

There was matzah baking

Hashem saved all our lives

Chag SAC-me-ach

Won't you join me  

Blue's Banner- Theme Chagim, Pasuk "V'Samachta V'Chagecha"

Black's Mascot, Emily Goodman "Challah at Yo Girl"

Blue's Mascot, Jacob Levy as a menorah

Vida Behar giving Black Team's D'var Torah

Beryl Meyers giving Blue Team's D'var Torah

After careful deliberation and an awfully tense Arvit, the judges announced Black Team as the winners.

Seattle Ashkenazic Camp

Showing our Sephardic pride!

"Sephardic till I die"

Yesterday morning SAC was visited by Ari Hoffman. Ari Hoffman runs Seattle NCSY and is an active member at BCMH. With donuts in hand, he came to check out the camp and speak to the staff about Rav Lau's unique appearance in Seattle. He also doubled as a decoy for our color war breakout. 

Last nights night activity was "Mr. and Mrs. Sephardic Adventure Camp". Just as any other pageant goes, a camper was chosen from each bunk and had to strut their stuff down the runway, answer questions and show off a special talent of theirs. They all had an hour to dress up and prepare for the competition. Emily Goodman from G2 and Uri Amiel from B2 were crowned victors.

When the night activity ended everybody headed off to "Maariv" when director, Leon Covitz announced that Sephardic Adventure Camp would be changed to Seattle Ashkenazic Camp. This was a breakout for the records, campers and staff alike were OUTRAGED! For a good 12 hours everybody was convinced that the camp would be making the official switch on Friday. 

This morning during breakfast when SAMIS members arrived they entered the mess hall with a banner and announced 2012 Color war!!!!! 

Welcome SAMIS 

SAC 2012 COLOR WAR!

Chazan Nuna of Ezra Bessaroth with his son Ori

Winners!

Sunday night's evening program was SAC idol! Cabins were each given a song to preform in front of camp. 

Everybody had to learn the lyrics to their song and choreograph a dance that went with it. 

B3 won by shaking their coulikous to 'Party in the USA' by Miley Cyrus. All 5 performances were extremely entertaining and fun!

B1- ABC easy as 123 by Jackson 5

B2- Barbie Girl by Aqua

G2- California Girls by Katy Perry

G3- You Belong with Me by Taylor Swift

Rabbi Meyers and Rabbi Owen learning with B2 counselor Uriel Cohen

Lifeguard, Pessie Parent hanging out during girls swim

Last nights night activity was "Messy Double Dare". Campers were split into 4 teams where they had to answer different questions from the following categories: SAC History, Israel and Jewish Trivia, Sephardic Tradition and Miscellaneous. The campers took turns taking on challenges like eating Ketchupy M&Ms, barbeque sauce, bubble gum and more. Since everyone was already covered from head to toe, they all headed to the lake to "wash up" (don't worry they all had proper showers after.) 

Daily Schedule

For all those parents wondering what we do up at SAC here's a copy of the schedule so you can see the basic structure of our day. During Chugim and Activity 1 and 2 campers select their preference from a variety of options such as Art, Sports, Archery, Drama, Science, Beit Midrash and Boating etc. Every evening there is a new activity planned by our awesome Program Directors, Avraham Treiger and Adina Polack with help from our M.I.T's Elana Hasson and Laurel Aaronson. 

7:45-8:15 Wake up 

8:15-9:00 Shachrit

9:00- 9:30 Breakfast

9:45-10:30 Sessions

10:40-11:20 Cabin clean up

11:30- 12:20 Chugim

12:30- 1:15 Lunch

1:30- 2:15 Activity 1 

3:15- 3:30 Snack

3:30- 4:15 Activity 2

4:30- 5:40 Free time 

5:40- 6:00 Mincha

6:00- 6:45 Dinner

6:45- 7:10 All camp clean up

7:30- 9:00 Evening Activity

9:00- 9:30 Arvit

Shavua tov!

We just had an amazing first Shabbat at camp! 

Looking sharp in our Shabbat attire for the all camp picture

We started Friday evening off with an impressive slideshow, put together by our very own Technological Coordinator, Elie Aboulafia. To welcome Shabbat in, all the girls headed to the mess hall to light Shabbat candles and sing "Vizakeni Ligadel". Kabbalat Shabbat was followed by a delicious Shabbat meal prepared by resident cooks Shulamit Urenia and Eli Varon. The meal ended with lots of Sephardic style singing and dancing. The ruach in the room was practically tangible. 

Shabbat tefillah services started this morning at 9 am (camp time- remember we're an hour behind.) We paused before Torah reading for a tasty kiddush of brownies and rice-krispy treats... not to worry, we saved plenty of room for our traditional le`che delicacies including bourekas, quajatho, and of course caesar salad. After lunch we had lots of free time where we played board games and basketball. We didn't let the bad weather get in the way of us having an awesome time. 

Challot for Shabbat

Welcome to SAC! (Days 1 and 2)

Our beautiful "Lost" Lake

Welcome to the SAC blog! Sorry we are late we've just been having too much fun.

On Wednesday afternoon the campers arrived to SAC and gathered into the mess hall where they were introduced to their counselors and the rest of the camp staff. Together we sang and danced to our camp song "Ojo de Hamsa". The campers then settled into their bunks where they got time to unpack and get to know each other better with ice breakers and games. The campers chose their chugim and activities for the next 2 weeks. After dinner the whole camp partook in our first night activity of the summer, "Messy Scavenger Hunt". The campers had to run around camp to find different stations where they had to do a messy challenge in order to receive a token. The first bunk to find them all and complete each task was crowned the winner. B3 was the winner of that night activity. Of course, no messy SAC activity is complete without everybody jumping into the lake! After everybody enjoyed a nice dip in the lake, a bonfire was made in the fire pit where the campers got to make smores and dry off. For a first night treat, all the counselors joined their campers as they headed off to bed. 

Meet the Director- Leon Covitz

Day 2 began with the regular everyday SAC schedule filled with sports, arts and crafts, swim, archery, yoga and more! This year, our campers have the option to enjoy our brand new media center! Many campers have taken advantage of this and can can be seen running around SAC videoing other camper activities. Throughout the day, every bunk took turns inner tubing on our beloved lost lake. The night activity for day 2 at SAC was "Iron Chef" where the secret ingredient was pineapple. Each bunk made a delicious 3 course menu. They were judged on creativity, presentation and taste.  Iron chef was judged by our very own head chef Eli Varon, who named G2 the winners, probably because of their creative invention of pineapple marshmallow quesadillas. 

Today, the campers filled out shabbat-o-grams at lunch. Shabbat-o-grams were made and decorated by the arts and crafts chugim. At dinner tonight, campers will receive the shabbat-o-grams which contain messages and inside jokes (and of course a yummy treat) from their friends, bunk mates and counselors. 

After the normal afternoon activities, the campers gathered at the water front for a counselor vs. camper water fight. Drenched and smiling, the campers retreated to their bunks to prepare for shabbat. We are all really looking forward to a relaxing first shabbat at camp!

Shabbat Shalom!! 

Final Goodbyes

                          

Hey G-3!

Putting the new Media center to good use

Setting up camp

Results of the Messy Scavenger hunt

                                                                           

Rabbi Owen is really excited about Iron Chef