CHEVRA SHMEVRA (I mean Shmooze)
Issue 16. Week 1
Wow, what a first week!! In my many, many, MANY first weeks of camp, I don’t think I have ever had such an amazing one!! As we rolled into camp on the first day, the music was blaring and the counselors were smiling. The cars pulled up and all the beaming faces of Camp Chevra came piling into the lunch room. After a brief hello, we all made our way to an incredible first day of learning groups. Blue tickets were spinning off the rolls as the
Everyone runs away from our very own PET DRAGON! Only at CAMP CHEVRA!!!
Chashuv Rabbaim handed out tickets to all those that were learning. After learning groups it was into the dining room to meet and greet your counselors. Bunks names were handed out and cheers were heard all around. The first activity of camp was here!! After everyone played their games, we all headed back into the lunchroom to be greeted by the delicious smell of… Pizza for everyone?? Yes, it’s pizza for lunch for the whole camp!! Now it’s onto the buses for swimming and more activities with the senior division. Then, it’s right back to camp for 4 corner dodgeball, where we had 7 different dodgeballs flying across the gym. Snyder was playing for his life as he ripped the ball from corner to corner!!! WOW!!! And then- I can’t believe it, it’s already the end of the first day. As Wednesday rolls around we already know: it’s straight to learning, the most important part of the day (except for maybe lunch). Wednesday was Bunk Day!! Each bunk cheered and played their
“YAAAAAAAAAH” -YEHUDA ZELMAN
hearts out to be crowned the champion of bunk day. The sports were intense, the competition was fierce and the rivalry was powerful. We played switch, where each bunk took a turn at ten
different challenges. In the end, it was bunk Shalom and bunk Torah getting pizza for winning bunk day. Congratulations! Thursday
Moshe Mizrachi rips the guts out of a ticket machine as Yitzi Breger looks on
was the first trip in Chevra 2016. The whole camp wore their camp T-shirts, and we all took a beautiful camp picture on the hill. We enjoyed a thrilling game of Simon Says, and then it was lunch time. All those with brand new pink arm bands wolfed down some fish sticks and bourekas, and then it was onto the buses for Sportime U.S.A. and Chuck E. Cheeses!! Wait- there’s not enough room for the seniors on the bus- oh no- this looks familiar. PSYCH! It’s no mistake, here comes a stretch Hummer limo for the eighteen seniors to drive down to Sportime USA!! The junior division loaded their buses and were off to Chuck E. Cheeses!! Both divisions had a blast on their trips. For the Chevra Extra guys the party wasn’t over yet. It was off to a special BBQ and late swim in their own private pool. Friday we had the huge Zechus of hearing from the famous Rabbi Juravel. After learning groups it was the start of another season of leagues: the teams were set, and the games were ready to begin. Stay tuned for upcoming standings and stats. The raffles for learning groups were amazing; a hearty Mazel Tov to all the winners. Can’t wait to see each and every one of you next week!!
Yitz Greenbaum dangles from the ceiling in an odd monkey imitation
Words Of Yitzdom CHEVRA X-TRA and X-TREME got off to a “BOOM, THERE GOES THE DYNAMITE”—type BANG! The 8th and 9th graders in X-TREME and the 5th, 6th, and 7th graders that stay for the extended hours X-TRA program had action packed activities deep into the night….well, into part of the night, anyways. Monday started off with orientation and then the entire group headed to baseball field #1 for baseball "under the lights". And what a game it was. One team, lead by Yonaton Benarbon and Yoel Busani, was fully loaded with the talents of Reuven Praver, Gavriel Robinson, Eli Hellman, and a host of other players, and took an 11-0 lead....that's right 11-0, over Modo Praver and Elisha Beyman's crew, lead by the ever imposing Aaron Mizrachi,
Aryeh Obermeister pretends that Moshe Sicker is his younger brother, as Shua is nowhere in sight
Moshe Mizrachi, and Avrumi Halberstam. But there was no quit in this team as they mounted a ferocious comeback behind blasts from Mizrachi, Beyman, Greenbaum Sr. to cut a 15-1 deficit to 15-14. But after explosions from Hellman and Praver extended the lead to 19-14 with 1 inning left to play, things looked bleak for Praver and Beymans crew. However, Beyman led off with another home run and- after a few more hits -Mizrachi’s RBI double capped off an amazing comeback and the game ended in a 19-19 tie. After the game, the campers were treated to ICE COLD SLURPEES before collapsing in their beds after a most exciting first day (and night) of camp! Wednesday’s late night program started off with the NIGHT LEAGUES draft and another baseball game. But this game did not bring us any FOOTBALL type scores. League games bring defense
and pitching, and runs were hard to come by. Aaron Mizrachi had a chance to break the game open in the late innings, but Reuven Praver made the catch of the year, robbing a home run and doubling off another camper at 2nd base. But even with gold glove defense at shortstop by Robinson and Greenbaum Jr. at first, they were still down by a run heading into the bottom of the last. With 2 outs and a runner on 2nd, Elisha Beyman stepped to the plate. The entire defense moved wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy back and left the infield wide open because Elisha had hit a 500 foot bomb in his previous at bat. But this was Beyman's night, and not even an advanced outfield shift could stop him, as he hit another blast deep into the night for a walk-ff 2 run home run! After 1 game of night leagues Benarbon and Beyman were 1-0 while Busani and Modo were 0-1. After leagues everyone enjoyed ICE Seniors travel in style
COLD SODAS and FREEZE POPS and headed to the AIR CONDITIONED classroom for a super game of CHEVRA MATCH GAME. Funny answers were flowing, and Sruli Rosen was the ultimate winner before everyone headed home. Thursday was trip day. But it was no ordinary trip day as all the X-TREME campers headed off to SPORTIME U.S.A. in....wait for it.......A STRETCH HUMMER LIMO..........WHAT?!?!?!?!?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!??!?! YOU MUST BE JOKING!!! NO, I KID YOU NOT.....THEY ALL ENJOYED THE CELEBRITY LIFE IN A STRETCH HUMMER!!! After hours of fun with the arcades, batting cages, rock wall, and rides the STRETCH HUMMER brought them and the X-TRA campers back for NIGHT SWIM and a BBQ!! The heated pool and the hot dogs and burgers and singing capped off the most amazing first week in camp history!!
King Ushy Speaks Welcome to another summer at Camp Chevra, the greatest camp this earth has to offer! The night before the first day of camp I got butterflies in my stomach and could not contain my excitement for the next day, and here we are! I have to say it’s been a long wait, but boy, was it worth it! Day 1 began with parents pulling up to camp to drop off their eager boys who simply couldn’t wait to meet their new counselors. I attempted to greet as many boys as I could, mainly because it gives me joy to see the smiles on all the camper’s faces. During the year all the head staff worked tirelessly to create an action packed summer agenda for our campers, and I sneakily suspect the boys know this and have come to rely on it; hence their anticipation for what Camp Chevra has in store for them this year. Who will be their counselors? What Bunk 4a learns how to make shadow puppets from master puppeteer Yitzy Robinson
friendships will be formed? Which trips will they be going on this summer, and (of course) where will the grand trip be? What exciting new programs and activities are ahead? All these questions are floating around everyone’s heads
as they ponder the myriad possibilities. This is what makes Camp Chevra so amazing: you just never know what summer has in store. For example, we have a brand new karate class that will be given by a certified black belt for our Swikers in addition to an art class that will be given by a professional studio director. We continuously look for ways to evolve, impress, and exceed expectations. We also have a great group of campers this year, as good as I’ve ever seen. Make no mistake, the campers are what drives this camp to be what it is- it’s our campers that are our greatest accomplishment. We believe that we have the best kids Monsey has to offer and we will do them justice. Fasten your seat-belts and get ready for the ride of a lifetime! I’m just glad I get to be on the sidelines observing as it all unfolds.
Swiker’s Corner Swikers just started on Friday so we didn’t have much time this week but we made sure to be well prepared to make the swikers program filled with the most fun activities as possible. Next week we have an amazing array of activities planned ranging from constructing a piñata to a Hike We hope all the swikers will come ready to have fun because on our end we have a amazing fun summer planned. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ve’nishmartem Me’od Le’nafshoseichem- We live in dangerous and unpredictable times. Learning Karate is more than just a fun sport, it is a skill for life and can give you the tools to defend yourself and your loved ones if Chas V’sholom the need arises. Mordechai Genut, a 3rd Degree Black Belt at “FRUM KARATE”, performed onstage at Camp Chevra. He utilized a variety of karate techniques, discussed the importance of self-defense skills, and demonstrated how to use the power of the mind to break concrete bricks with your bare hands. The boys received a hands-on experience by volunteering for the show. The Swikers will be having weekly karate sessions with Mordechai to develop strength, agility, confidence, discipline, selfdefense skills, focus and relaxation techniques. And they wonder why nobody misbehaves in Camp Chevra…
Mordechai Genut, 3rd Degree Black Belt-‘Master Level Instructor” with over 19 years experience teaching Martial Arts to all ages is offering weekly, separate Karate and Self Defense classes for Boys, Teenagers, Men, Girls and Women in Monsey at Lifeplex Gym. Mordechai was featured in The Mishpacha Magazine and in an online article: http:// www.jta.org/2016/03/13/default/these-orthodox-jews-use-karate-to-defend-the-faith Contact for
more info: (718) 801-6882 or
[email protected] To register for classes, sign up on our website: www.frumkarate.com (Mention “Camp Chevra” receive 20% off First month) In addition, Mordechai Genut is a NYS Licensed Acupuncturist, treating a variety of conditions with acupuncture, massage, Chinese Herbal Medicine, acupressure, breathing relaxation techniques. Visit his website for more info: www.GHacupuncture.com
A Bird’s “I” View In this weeks parsha the tragic events of the spies coming back with their report takes place. The story has so many twists and turns it can make you dizzy (like a certain race that takes place only in Camp Chevra).The spies were not plain ordinary men, but rather men of great stature and of very high caliber. Yet we all know what happened in the end when they returned with their report. The two that stand out of the bunch are עשוהיand בלכ. Each one of them seemed to understand their mission and what was asked of them and did it to the fullest extent. The reason עשוהיsurvives the ordeal is (as the Passuk tells us) that his Rebbi השמ וניברdavens for him and gives him a name change, but the reason בלכcomes out unscathed is a bit of a mystery. What was his secret of not getting caught up in their wicked plan? RASHI explains that בלכmade use of his time while in ERETZ YISROEL and went to Daven for the safety of his Neshama. The CHOFETZ CHAIM explains beautifully the different approach each one of them used to succeed. There are two ways of not being influenced by your surroundings: either by standing up for what you think is right and voicing your opinion out loud or by keeping it to yourself. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, standing up and making a scene will buy you no friends; you will be hated, mocked, and potentially physically harmed. The advantage is that you won't fall into doing the same thing as others; you will be separate and your neshama will be protected. On the other hand, staying to yourself won’t get you physically hurt but your Neshama would in danger of being influenced by others. Therefore, since בלכ knew the potential harm to his Neshama he made it his business to Daven for his Neshama by the Mearas Hamachpeila so that he could keep to himself safely. When the Meraglim got back and reported what they witnessed to Klal Yisroel they weren’t afraid when בלכgot up to speak since they thought he was with them. In life, we are often faced with the challenge, of how to react to a scenario. There are many options, each with its pros and cons, and not always are we sure which method is the proper one to employ. Both בלכand עשוהיeach had their own way of
dealing with the challenge at hand, but both realized that to succeed you need to speak to your Rebbi and/or Daven for התעיס אימשד. We as parents and educators need to instill in our children these messages and hope these life lessons carry them far in life. In Camp Chevra (rated best camp in Rockland 3 years in a row by my standards) we have many role models that campers can learn from. But there was one staff member who personified and embodied this best. He was not only a role model for the campers but every single one of our lives were enhanced just by knowing him. Sadly he is not in camp this year but his spirit and lessons will always be a part of our Chevra. R' BERG ( ע"הas he was affectionately known by everyone) taught us not only the meaning of life but how to live it to the fullest, the way the Torah wants us to. R' BERG ע"הis still very much alive here in Camp Chevra and he will be dearly missed. May we have a real המחנwith the coming of Moshiach.
Good Shabbos. Yisoel Neiman Parsha and learning points we discussed this week 1) Why wasn’t there a spy from shevet levi? 2) How was klal yisorel supposed to learn from miriam not to speak lashon hara if it’s different perhaps to speak lashon hara about a man as opposed to a piece of land? 3) Why when the spies are being mentioned only menashe is refered to as yosefs son and not efraim? 4) Why did Moshe Rabeinu daven for Yeshua more than anyone else? (2 answers) 5) What hint did Moshe give the spies to know if it’s a strong or weak city? 6) What are three first mitzvohos the Chofetz Chaim brings in his sefer hamitzvos hakatzer? 7) What are the 2 methods to know hashem created the world? 8) Why don’t women have to wear tzitzis? 9) Which three mitzvos to you need to know the reason we do them? Why? 10) Why is the parsha of tzitzis after the parsha of the mikosheish? (2 reasons)
Who did Moshe send to Canaan and why?
One person from each Shevat was sent to spy out the land. What were the Meraglim supposed to find out about the land, cities and the people? If there is good land and water sources, if the cities are walled (and the people are therefore scared and weak), and if the people were many, strong and worthy of remaining. How did Moshe change Yehoshua's name? Why?
He changed it from (Hoshea) to (Yehoshua),by adding the letter Yud which means Hashem, as aTefilah that Hashem should save him from the other spies' ideas. Where did Kalev go by himself and why?
He separated from the rest of the Meraglim to go to M'oras Hamachpelah to Daven at our Avos that he should not join the others' ideas. What did the Meraglim bring back with them and what did they say?
They brought large fruits, including one huge cluster of grapes, and said that the land is full of strong and big people (look at the fruits!), and the land swallows up its people, they are always dying, and they are giants. What did the people say after hearing their reports, despite the fact that Yehoshua and Kalev tried to change their minds?
They wanted to return to Mitzrayim, saying it was safer than Canaan, and they tried to stone Yehoshua and Kalev. Hashem wanted to destroy the Yidden for saying they didn't want Canaan. What did Moshe argue?
He begged Hashem to let them live saying that others would think Hashem couldn't take care of the Yidden(Chas V ‘Shalom), so he destroyed them on the way. So how did Hashem punish them?
All those over 20 were killed before the Yidden entered the land, and those under 20 had to wander the desert for 40 years, one year for each day of the (Meraglim’s) tour, and then they went on to Canaan. What date did this sad event happen on? What else happened on this date? Why?
9th of Av, the date the BAIs Hamikdash was destroyed, since Hashem said that the Yidden cried for no real reason that day, so it would be a day of crying for times to come. What must one do when baking Challah?
Separate a part and give it to a Kohein (nowadays, since Kohanim are Tamai, we burn it). What was a man caught doing on the second Shabbos after leaving Mitzrayim? What happened?
He was gathering twigs, so Hashem said to stone him. What is "special" about the end of this week's Parsha?
It is the last part of Shema, where we are commanded about the Mitzvah of putting on Tzitzis on all four cornered garments to remind us of the Mitzvos. Rabbi Brownstein
1) What is this weeks parsha? A) Bamidbar B) Devarim C) Shelach D) Naso 2) How many spies went into Eretz Yisroel? A)10 B) 8 C) 20 D) 12 3) Who were the good spies? A) Yeshua and Calev B) Naftali and Yehuda C) Avraham and Yitzchok D) Rochel and Leah 4) What did the spies see? A) Dangerous animals B) Giants and giant fruit C) Big mountains D) Volcanoes 5) How many times do we wash our hands for negel vasser? A) 2 B) 4 C) 6 D) 10 6) How many strings our on tzitzis? A) 4 B) 6 C) 8 D) 10 E.C. What country was Rashi from? Answers:C,D,A,B,C,C and France Story of the week: The story of Rashi's mother -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------My son ______________ did the parsha questions___ answered the E.C. question ___ said over the story of the week ___ Parent's signature_____________ Please hand in by Tuesday to get tickets in the major end of the summer raffle. Each check equals one ticket. Have a Good Shabbos Rabbi Warrum
1. Why is the story of the מרגליםnext to the story of Miriam getting ?צרעתThe מרגליםsaw what happened to Miriam and they didn’t learn from it. 2. What do we learn since the מרגליםare called ?אנשיםThey were all צדיקיםwhen they were originally appointed as נסיאים. 3. Which of the 12 מרגליםdid not speak יהושע בן נון ?לשון הרעand כלב בן יפונה 4. How many people did it take to carry a cluster of grapes? 8 5. What did the מרגליםsay about ?ארץ ישראלIt has giants living there and people are always dying. 6. Why did ' הmake so many people die in כנעןwhile the מרגליםwere there? So they would be so busy they wouldn’t notice the מרגלים 7. How did בני ישראלget punished for the what מרגליםdid? Everyone above 20 died in the מדבר 8. What type of clothes require ?ציציתAny 4 cornered garment made of linen or wool 9. What type of other materials require ?ציציתAll other materials () מרדבנן Rabbi Krasnow
1. Where did Hashem promise to bring B'nei Yisroel? 2. What did B'nei Yisroel want to do before going there? 3. Who separated from the rest of the spies? 4. Where did he go and why? 5. What did the spies say when they reported back to B'nei Yisroel? 6. Who stood up to the peer pressure and did not join in to speak bad about Eretz Yisroel? 7. How did B'nei Yisroel react to the news? 8. What punishment did they receive? 9. How were Kalev and Yehoshua rewarded? 10. What can we learn from the story of the Meraglim? Rabbi Robinson 1. 12 nasi’im went to spy out the land of Israel, 10 of them spoke badly- אפס כי עת העם, 2 praised the land- טובה הארץ מאדWhat lesson can we derive from this? Two people see exactly the same thing or person, one sees the good, the other only the negative things. 2. כלב בן יפנהhow was he related to Moshe? He was Moshe’s brother in law- He married Miriam 3. ויבכו העם בלילה ההואWhat punishment did klal Yisroel receive for crying that night? בכיוה לדורותThey were crying on this day for the genereations after through the churban bais rishon and other calamities. 4. What death did the nisi’im receive? Their tongues were stretched to their navals, and worms came from their tongues into their bodies 5. What is challa? - הפרשת תרומהfrom the עיפהdough. 6. וימאו איש עצים ביום השבתwho was the wood gatherer? צלפחד 7. The מקוששwas מכוון שם שמיםhis intentions were for the sake of השם. Does that justify his actions? Why /why not? No an עברהhowever small even with the best intentions is still wrong. 8. Where do we see the מקושש עציםfixed his erroneous action? See the גמראthere שבת קנ ""מעשה בחסיד אחד 9. ציציתwhy is it called this (2 reasons). 1. Something that hangs 2. Term of gazing/looking atone should look at their ציצית 10. לט( וזכרתם את כל מצות השם: )טוhow do we see an indication of תר"ג מצוותin the word ?ציצית ציציתhas the gematria of 600.Plus 8 strings plus 5 knots is 613 () בעל הטורים PS- This week’s “Rebbi Shuir” was largely disturbed by the boys who did not want to learn. If your son is one of them, kindly remind them not to disturb others who want to hear and learn, not to mention playing ball within the classroom is not acceptable. Thank you- Rabbi Van Praagh
