The Tavor Times
New this week June 22, 2018
An Introduction from Amit
Rosh Report:
Tikkun Olam: Ali in Action
A Tzevet Story
Camper Question of the week
Note from Randy
An Introduction from Amit
Shabbat Shalom!
Greetings, Tavor Families!

As we round the corner on our last Shabbat together, I'm proud of the work our campers did on our "Tikkun Olam" Day.

On Tikkun Olam Day, we create service learning opportunities through which our campers can learn and build connection with our neighbors in the Three Rivers community. We have so much to learn from each other and from our neighbors, and it is our hope that our "Tikkun Olam" day can help our campers translate camp magic into the outside world.

Similarly, I hope that our campers bring the creativity, confidence and spirit that they have cultivated here at Tavor back into their home communities.

I look so forward to reconnecting next summer and learning about about all of the great work they do in the world this year!
Amit Weitzer, Executive Director
Click HERE to learn more about the year-round staff
Rosh Report

As we head into our final Shabbat of first session, I am taking this opportunity to reflect on growth and learning.

For tzevet, we are reaching the halfway point of our summer, but for most of the chanichimot, the end of first session is the end of Tavor for the year.

During intersession, tzevet takes the opportunity to reflect on our summer so far and plan the session moving forward. For our chanichimot who will be heading home on Sunday, it can feel challenging to bring all of the things they learned at camp back with them. 
 
I remember coming home each summer with a drive to connect all of the things I had experienced at Tavor to my community at home.

Camp is often a uniquely empowering time for chanichimot, where they are able to learn through connecting with one another, take ownership over the space they live, and have fun doing it.

Our hope is that chanichimot can bring all of the amazing energy they gained at Tavor back to their communities at home, being the leaders we have watched them become. 
 
Thank you for an incredible first session. It has been an honor to be a part of your children’s lives, and we cannot wait to connect with them again.


Zoe Friedland, 2018 Rosh
Tikkun Olam: Ali in Action
Each week we will start with a word from some of the staff. A little introduction of who we with some insight and observations from our summer leadership!
This final week of camp I had the amazing responsibility of helping to set up our Tikkun Olam for first session.

It's so incredible that we get to go out and do some good work in our adopted community.
Here is a small taste of what each schavot was able to do. I hope when they get home they will share more details with you, and bring some of that spirit to their own communities.

Ali Boreiko, Techni (Operations Director)
AMELIMOT
The amelimot served up a little Tikkun Olam at a local community kitchen. It serves meals bi-weekly. They helped prepare the meal as well as make up special place mats. The organizer called later to let us know the clients really liked the place mats and took extra time to comment on them and share them with each other. He also says the staff loved the extra help during prep time.

CHOTRIMOT
The chotrimot braved the hot sun to work with our long-time partner, Dale, who runs an organic farm near Tavor. They repainted a chicken coop and weeded many feet of pepper beds. Dale sent us home with fresh veggies to snack on and beautiful flowers to decorate the chedar ochel (cafeteria).

BONIMOT
The bonimot visited *Culture is Not Optional. In the last 10-years, this organization bought an old elementary school which they have turned into a community space and garden to grow fresh produce they donate and sell. *Culture is Not Optional also hosts a free summer lunch program for kids who participate in the USDA's free and reduced price lunch during the school year. The bonimot visited the school and helped work on the farm. Afterwards, they joined local school-aged kids for a lunch provided the USDA.

GARINIMOT
The garinimot visited the Three Rivers public library and community center. They helped weed the garden and the area around the benches. After they finished that job, they headed inside to straighten up the books. Some of the garinimot interacted with local kids at the library.

BOGRIMOT
The bogrimot supported Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Services of Southwestern Michigan. They visited the safe house for women, stained the deck and cleaned the backyard. The community service coordinator spoke to them about how DASAS does the important work they do.
Click HERE to lean more about Camp Tavor's Summer Leadership
A Tzevet Story
Each week we will profile one or two of the Tzevet (staff)
so you can get to know them better, learn how they came to camp and why.
Hillel Friedland
Name: Hillel Friedland
Pronouns: He/Him
Age: 18
Hometown: South Bend, IN
Year at Tavor: 6

What is your job at Tavor? I'm a madrich (counselor) for bonimot! (entering 8th grade)

What is one activity you are sharing with campers? This summer with my sibling Ilan and also Noam we are running drag chug! It will be packed with fun activities as well as educational experiences dealing with gender, sexuality and equality.

How did you first come to/hear about Tavor? My cousin Zoe, who is now Rosh, has been at camp for years and loved it! She convinced Ilan and I to come and we are so glad we did.

What is your favorite memory of camp?
One time during chotrimot we had some free time before a dance party. I was in the shetach (living space) with my friends and it was really beautiful. I just felt so content and calms and at one with myself. It was bliss. Pure bliss!

What’s your favorite part of camp?   The people! Everyone is so loving and inclusive and woke.

Last but not least, most importantly: Is cereal a soup? NO! Cereal is not a soup because with soup one ingredient is not the focal point. A soup is the amalgamation of all the ingredients. With cereal, cereal is the focal point. And usually its just cereal. Furthermore when you say cereal it doesn't necessarily apply to cereal and milk. Sometimes it's just cereal.
Benjy Goldstone
Name: Benjy Goldstone
Pronouns: He/Him
Age: 19
Hometown: Leeds, England
Years at Tavor: 1

What is your job at Tavor? Madrich for garnimot

What is one activity you are sharing with campers? I enjoy creating an environment that can't be found anywhere else in the world that helps make chanichimot lives incredible.

How did you first come to/hear about Tavor? I was on workshop and lived in a kvutsah with 6 people from Tavor and all their incredible memories made me want to have that experience myself.

What is your favorite memory of camp? As this is my first time here, I have no previous memories. However I am so excited to create amazing things at Tavor.

What’s your favorite part of camp? My favorite part of camp is the spirit of collectivism and cultural Judaism we foster.

Last but not least, most importantly: Is cereal a soup? YES!
Stop: Photo Time
Click Here to See More Photos at CampInTouch
CAMPERS QUESTION
Do you know what movie our beloved Rosh is paying homage to with those braids? Is It...
Dogma
Romy and Michele's High School Reunion
Wet Hot American Summer
Reality Bites
Answer to last weeks question: How would a dog wear pants?
Option 1: On all fours 20.4%
Option 2: Back legs only 79.6%
Note from Randy
Hi parents, I can't believe this first session has come to a close! Thank you for sharing your amazing kids with us! What a great summer it has been so far! I just want to let you know that I will be sending additional emails about transportation today and in the days that follow! Of course if you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at [email protected].