CAMP S’DEI CHEMED GIRLS MIDDOS AWARDS 2012

CAMP S’DEI CHEMED GIRLS

Proudly Congratulates

MIDDOS AWARDEES 2012
(Please use the comment section below to congratulate the girls!)

Since its inception over 43 years ago, under the leadership of Rabbi Eli Teitelbaum ZT"L, Camp S’dei Chemed has put great emphasis on good middos and character development. We were very fortunate to have had a wonderful group of campers this summer. Our campers come from diverse backgrounds and learn from one another with mutual respect and love. Our winners this summer displayed extraordinary amounts of kindness and sensitivity to others. We salute them for their exemplary middos, unsurpassed derech eretz, and the great kiddush Hashem they made wherever we traveled. May they be role models for all others to follow.

Chavi Charlap - Woodmere, NY
TAG High School

Devora Goldschmidt - Zurich, Switzerland

Machon Chen

Tirzah Weill - Teaneck, NJ

Manhattan High School

Leah Unger - Lawrence, NY

Bais Yaakov of Queens

Chava Frand - Baltimore, MD

Bais Yaakov of Baltimore

Tehilla Faiman - Monsey, NY

Bais Yaakov of Monsey

Ariel Schwartz - Hamilton, Ontario

Hamilton Hebrew Academy

Ariella Mermelstein - Los Angeles, CA

Bais Yaakov of LA

Esti Novoseller - Efrat, Israel

Uplana Rosh Tzurim

Ruchama Pliner - Toronto, Canada

Bais Yaakov Toronto

Cheering up patients at Hadasah Hospital

Please use the comment section below to congratulate the girls!

My Summer in Israel with Camp Sdei Chemed

This blog was featured in Yaldah Magazine link to article in PDF to print


My Summer in Israel with Camp Sdei Chemed

By: Hadasa Rubin, age 15, Far-Rockaway, NY

Before boarding the plane to Camp Sdei Chemed, a six-week summer camp in Israel, I did not know what to expect. I would be going alone, not knowing a single soul, which can be very scary! I had applied for a UJA scholarship which requested that I state the goals of my trip. This got me thinking -- why exactly am I going? Just to have fun? Or is there something more behind a summer in Israel?

As a young student in a Jewish school, I learned a lot about Jewish history from biblical times to modern times. After years of study, I realized that I now had the opportunity to visit these places and to visualize those lessons. In addition, after learning Ivrit (Hebrew) last year, I wanted to put it
to good use and talk to Israelis, and understand what it is like to live in Eretz Yisrael (Israel). I wanted to see the gorgeous scenery, experience the atmosphere, and just drink everything
in before returning home.

My goal of viewing the exquisiteness of the land was no doubt accomplished the second I landed—just those palm trees alone are my favorite!

The camp was based in Ramot, a lovely neighborhood in Jerusalem. Each day of camp was an experience in and of itself; we traveled to new and exciting locations and had many activities to do. There was always lots of hiking, touring and food -- basically everything that people enjoy!
Wherever we went, the scenery was amazing! Our campus in Ramot had a breathtaking view, overlooking the Judean Hills. Some of my most favorite sights were those viewed right in the middle of our hikes, just at the top of the mountain we climbed, when everyone was boiling, thirsty, and eager to drink in the fresh air and the magnificent scenery. I must have taken thousands of pictures then!

The friend concern ended up being no problem because all the girls were the sweetest ever, so that by the time camp ended, everyone was best of friends and we couldn’t imagine life without each other.

An additional goal of mine was to talk to Israelis and get a peek into their culture. Camp gave us plenty of time to relax and go shopping; each time we were faced with the challenge of speaking Hebrew. Wherever we went, we had to speak Hebrew, so it had to be up to par. There was the time when I went to my cousins’ house on Saturday night of the off weekend, and I had to take a bus. Somehow, after communicating with the Israeli driver, I managed to get there and know where to get off! I felt really proud. It was really interesting to take the Hebrew that I learned
in school and actually put it to good use by talking to Israelis and trying to understand their culture. I managed to end the summer knowing a lot more Hebrew than I started out with; in fact, an Israeli storekeeper even thought that I was Israeli by my Hebrew!

Another goal was to learn history the fun way—through touring, rather than sitting at desks! S’dei Chemed definitely fulfilled this one. We went on the most interesting tours all the time that involved a lot of the history of Israel and the Jewish people. We explored Masada, The Old
City, Tzfat, Chevron, and Gush Etzion among many other historic places. At each place it was so fascinating to hear the stories of our ancestors, and to know that they had actually stepped foot on the same land where we were. In Tzfat it was especially interesting having a tour of all the alley ways and art shops by a “Tzfater” himself! At Gush Etzion, we learnt the tragic episode of how the Jews of the town gave up their lives rather than give up their holy land.

All in all, camp in Israel was the best experience yet! Each aspect added up to create an unforgettable experience. The breathtaking views, the enjoyable hikes, the fascinating tours and the amazing friendships—all while in Israel (and utilizing some Hebrew while at it!), combined to
give me the summer of a lifetime.

For more info about Sdei Chemed please visit their website at campsci.com or the blog I wrote about camp at cscigirls2011.blogspot.com.

Tiveria and Keshet Yonatan overnight

(Wed) We started off the day with a breezy and sunny place; the gorgeous Kineret beach. We got a lot of time to swim through the massive waves. Everyone enjoyed it especially after the nine days. We were greeted by our bus with lots of music and we had fun dancing the aisles. As we were on our way to the water hike, we picked up a few Israeli girls who needed a ride and had fun talking with them. Unfortunately we got wrong directions and will be doing the hike iy"h on Sunday. Next, we davened mincha at the kever of Rebbi Meir Baal Haness. We even ate our delectable supper there too. There in the city
of Tiveria we walked through town for a bit before moving on. We then boarded a party boat; in for some fun!! We had an insane time dancing
like crazy to lots of music.... everyone walked off as sweaty as ever!!! We then went to our hotel in Keshet Yonatan and had a good night's sleep =)

(Thur) Today we were woken up to a busy day. After eating breakfast at our hotel, we went off to ODT. Also known as out door training, we were split up in group's and had many tasks to accomplish. There was a  place where we had to all stand on a barrel and holding onto the net on top we had to move it from one side of a wide space (is that what you call it??) to the other. Or another time when two people each got

a rod and a girl had to climb on all the rods as the people holding them had to continuously move. (hope i explained those well!!) After a nice lunch we got to our next place. We stopped off for mincha at the
kever of the Ramchal. Time for our last hike =(... we first went on donkeys up the mountain. Now we all understand how slow donkeys can be... and we even got to name our donkeys. The first part of the hike
was the usual and then we got to a part where we had to walk sideways down a mountain (while holding onto ropes and being careful.) It is time to say goodbye to another week in Sdei Chemed. Can't wait for the
last Shabbos!!!!

=) Hadasa

Erev Tish'a B'av

The day began as we stepped into the holy city of
Chevron. We went first to the grave of our mother Rachel and had a
long time to daven and beseech our father above in her merit. Next we
visited the graves of our forefathers- Mearat Hamachpeilah. We each
had our chance to daven in the zchut of all our ancestors. Hopefully
in their merit we will see the redemption bimihairah biyameinu. After
that we visited the memorial for a baby, sadly only a few months old,
named Shalhevet, who was shot by an Arab sniper. Then we
visited Beit Hadassah, where a huge massacre occured and in this
hospital that many were sent to. Now it was time to say goodbye to
Chevron as we went back to our dorm to get ready for Tisha B'av. WePost Optionsenjoyed a yummy pizza, pasta, and soup supper before it was time for
the Seudah H'amafseket. We each got our egg dipped in ashes and some
bread to say goodbye to food for a day. We boarded the bus in time to
get to the Old City for Eicha. We were led into the old city and got to our location; a
mirpeset overlooking where the beit hamikdash used to be. We had an
meaningful time having a kumzits and listening to Eicha. Back at our
dorm for night activity we went around a circle sharing some personal
tragedies to get a glimpse of what the pain is really of losing 
the entire beit hamikdash. May we see Mashiach soon in our days.


=) Hadasa

Yad Vashem, Archeological Dig

Today, since it is the nine days, we focused on a horrific event that
occured in jewish history: the Holocaust. We went to the museum Yad
Vashem and learnt about all that happened during the holocaust
spanning from before it even started until it was completely finished.
Bringing tears to our eyes, we heard and actually saw on a video the
inhumane acts that the Nazis yimach shimam did. May their memory be
erased. Next, to change the mood a bit, we went to an archaelogical
dig. At this site they dig for remnants of the ancient Helenistic age,
the time of the Maccabim. We all enjoyed digging deep and we actually
found some bone or large pieces of pottery, we learnt that during that
time the people there were wealthy and enjoyed using many fancy vessels. At
the end we even got to take home some unimportant pottery, we can even
make a menorah out of it! Tommorow will be our free weekend... so I
wont be blogging about it but, cant wait to come back again.

--

=) Hadasa

Ir Dovid, Old City

Today was a day in the Old City. We were led by the awesomest, Rabbi D. from the boy's Sdei Chemed (We still dont know what D. stands for... the best submissions were drunken and delirious) We got to know details about almost anything in the Old City. We toured Ir David and saw remains of the great Palace of Dovid HaMelech. We also saw the Migdal Dovid and viewed (in the distance, since we have already been there) the Kotel and the Golden Mosque. Then we saw a 3D really cool video showing what happened where and in which era; it talked about the tunnels that Chizkiyahu the King of Yehudah built to divert the water source so that the enemy would not have access to it. Then we actually got to splash through the freezing waters of the tunnel and see it for ourselves. After that we got to go to the Jewish Quarter, the Rova, and enjoy our lunch and check out the stores, we even got to go to Hadaya (a gorgeous jewelery store.) Back at the dorm we had some free time and just about everyone fell asleep =) For night activity we each got a baloon and paper and wrote down our most embarassing moment, we were on the floor rolling!!!!!! 

=) Hadasa

Camp Day, Gush Eztion, Eretz Ayalim

Mon- Today was camp day! We got to wake up later than usual... YAY =)
We began the day by getting a paper with a hint to our "twin of the
day." Once we figured out who it was, we had the duty of getting to
know that girl really well throughout the day. First we had to dress
up creatively as a pair, for example: one group did a plug and an
outlet and another was burt and ernie. This is where everyone got so
creative. Next we played pop the baloon on your friends ankle while
being attached to your twin.... that was quite difficult! Then we
played many different races like picking up the beans with a straw
from one plate and putting them onto another. There were lots of more
contests and the last one being a game where we were asked questions
regarding our partners.... we saw who reallly got to know their
partner well... do you know how long it takes your twin to get ready
in the morning!? It was a great way to get to know more people in
camp!!

Tue- First location was Gush Etzion: we watched a movie apropo for the
nine days. It was about how the community risked their lives many a
time to keep their property. We even got to see an actual bunker that
many refuged to. Deer Land... here we come! Also known as Eretz
Ayalim, it was a ropes course in which we had a lot of fun. First
there was the rock climbing wall, some of our experienced climbers
even made it to the top of the hard part!! After that we got to go on
a obstacle course in the air; there we tires to climb and logs and
tightropes and to walk over swings to get through so by the end we got
a nice workout. The last part required the least effort but was maybe
the funnest, we got to go on the second to longest zip line in the
entire world. We got a nice thrilll while zooming over a street and
many trees and lots of land!! On the jeep ride back we all got to
reminisce over the day. After that we got to go to Malcha Mall and all
enjoyed window shopping and THE BEST DONUTS AND PASTRIES EVER!!!
Unfortunately here we had to say goodbye to our dear friend who left
us: Pearly Lapcuic... we'll miss you... mwa!