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Though we know it’s coming, it always feels a little surprising when Tisha B’av arrives in the middle of camp.  No matter how much we prepare, the commemoration of Tisha B’av consistently feels incongruous with the joy-filled summer camp context.  Wouldn’t it be so much more fitting to celebrate a joyful holiday like Purim or Sukkot in the midst of the fun of the camp experience?  

In her book, My Jewish Year, Abigail Pogrebin suggests, “Maybe that’s the work of Tisha B’av: to put communal sorrow on the calendar.  To tell us to stop, intentionally, in the brightest possible sunlight, to remember the dark.”  This day of sadness and mourning forces us to pause in the middle of one of the happiest times of our year to remember some of the pain and suffering our people have endured, just like the breaking of the glass at the end of a wedding ceremony.  But Tisha B’av can feel like an unnecessary interruption to our summer.  Why do we need to bring this darkness into one of the brightest times in our children’s lives?

In what almost feels like the polar (no-pun intended) opposite experience, Chanukah features eight nights of bringing light and joy into the darkest time of the year.  As cold and black as it is outside, we defiantly kindle our chanukiyot.

We know the world is far from perfect and, as strange as it sometimes feels, it’s ok (and even perhaps necessary) to bring a reminder of that into camp each summer via Tisha B’av.  To remind us that there is still baseless hatred that we must fight against, and that there is still brokenness in the world that we must repair.  

So too, as we live through the shortest and darkest days of winter, we are lucky to have Chanukah to remind us of our people’s resilience and survival.  To see hope and light at a time when we might be inclined to sink into despair.  It’s the flip side of how Pogrebin sees Tisha B’av, a reminder of communal joy on the calendar…to stop, intentionally, in the darkest days, to remember the light. 

As we light our candles for the final three nights of the festival, I hope everyone will stay safe, warm, and dry, and be reminded of the joy and light of summer at Camp Yavneh that is just six months away!

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Urim Sameach!

Give The Gift Of Camp

During this Hanukkah season give the gift of Camp by donating to our Annual Campaign. Over 25% of our families received financial aid this past summer. It is due to the generosity of so many that we have been able to offer substantial financial aid to these campers. As 2022 comes to a close, please join us in making a meaningful gift to our Annual Campaign so that we can continue to prioritize the value of diversity in all its forms. 

Make your tax deductible, year-end donation by December 31, 2022 online, via Venmo @CampYavneh or by sending a check to Camp Yavneh, 321 Walnut St #460, Newton, MA 02460

Mazel Tov To The Following Chanichim (Campers) Who Are Celebrating Their B’nai Mitzvahs In December:

Adi Bielsky (Gefen), Shira Skolnick Einhorn (Gefen), Ren Baronofsky (Gefen), Rachel Tasgal (Arayot), Zev Korn (Kfirim)

Yom Huldedet Sameach To Our Chanichim Celebrating December Birthdays:

December 1 - Shmuel Kratka (Gurim); December 3 - Eitan Strapp (Leviim), Elah Leshem (Kfirim), Eli Hayman (Gefen), Kira Samuel (Gurim), Ren Baronofsky (Gefen); December 6 - Josephine Glassenberg (Gefen), Micah Schleifer (Gurim), Orian Benaim (Leviim); December 7 - Abby Farca (Kerem); December 8 - Ari Clark (Kerem), Hannah Jaffe (Maalot); December 9 - Reuben Freedman-Riles (Gefen), Zac Lobel (Kerem); December 12 - Avital Uram (Arayot); December 14 - Moshe Sherman-Kadish (Arayot); December 15 - Talia Drory (Gurim); December 16 - Annika Kahane (Kfirim), Stella Gordon (Kerem); December 17 - Ezra Abramson (Gurim), Zev Korn (Kfirim); December 18 - Amia Kaplun (Maalot); December 19 - Rayut Weiser-Rosenbaum (Gefen); December 20 - Estie Livshitz (Gurim); December 21 - Helena Altschul (Kfirim), Ozzy Ennis (Maalot); December 22 - Dahlia Kopikis (Kfirim), Elizabeth Ciment (Kerem); December 23 - Avi Greene (Kerem), Judah Hirshon (Arayot), Reyna Kalkstein (Leviim), Yoni Kleinbaum (Arayot); December 24 - Daniella Nahoumi (Arayot); December 25 - Avi Geballe (Leviim); December 26 - Shoshana Laufer (Kerem); December 27 - Atara Manglani (Arayot); December 29 - Adiv Savitt (Gurim), Daniella Lapiro (Gurim), Eliav Binstock (Maalot), Nedivah Finegold (Gurim); December 30 - Miles Packard (Kfirim), Noah Silver (Kfirim), Zivah Chessman (Kfirim); December 31 - Avital Shkury (Gurim)

Mazel Tov To:

Carly Pildis (K'01) and Papa-Kwesi Coleman on the birth of their child, Aviva!

Josh Smilowitz (K'01) and Sumaya Ayyoub on the birth of their son, Adam!

Jordie Ehrlich and Ruthie Hurwitz Ehrlich (K'70) and Barry Ehrlich (K'70) on the birth of their son and grandson!

Please keep in touch with us and share your milestones, simchas, births, passings, news & updates. You can send details and photos to Ethan@campyavneh.org