Dancing with our Families at Shabbat B’Yachad

A group of children and adults enthusiastically dance with arms raised in a gymnasium, some wearing colorful shirts. The background shows a basketball hoop and people watching the activity.

Watching our campers’ parents join in our Rikud (dance) in the gym, on Shabbat B’Yachad, was a true highlight of the night for all of us. Every morning we open camp with 15 minutes of dancing on our migrash (field) – and, I imagine, there are many evenings where parents watch their kids share these dances in their living rooms, perhaps a little confused by the flailing of arms and legs without the rhythm of accompanying music. So, there was much joy in our gym, as our parents learned the dances and participated with their campers! 

That joy continued as our campers performed a song (Tzad Alef – the younger campers) and a dance (Tzad Bet – the older campers). I then shared a dvar torah with our community, we sang some Shabbat songs, and adjourned to our Chader Ochel (dining hall) for a Shabbat dinner of matzah ball soup, salmon, caesar salad, and lasagna. We finished the meal off with brownies (just like the camp brownies we send home on Friday afternoons!). 

After Birkat Hamazon (the blessing after the meal), we all sang Rad Hayom, our camp’s closing song – and, as we do at the end of each day, shouted our edah (unit) names with pride! It was so special to get to welcome Shabbat together, as a community. 

Two smiling adults sit closely with a young child at a table in a busy indoor setting. The adults, one in a pink shirt and one in yellow, have their arms around the child, who has red hair and looks toward the camera. A smiling woman with purple streaks in her hair sits beside a young girl wearing an orange Star Wars t-shirt at a table set for a meal. Both are looking at the camera, appearing happy and relaxed. A group of adults and children, some wearing purple shirts, stand in a gymnasium with their arms raised, smiling and dancing together. An American and Israeli flag hang on the wall in the background. Three young boys sit in a row of chairs, attentively watching an event. Adults and children fill the background, all facing the same direction. The setting appears to be indoors and casual. A woman and a young girl with curly hair sit together at a table, both smiling and laughing. The woman wears a green top and hugs the girl, who is holding food and looking to the side. The scene is cheerful and warm.






Categories: Boston Day Camp, Shabbat
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