Rise and Shine at Shemesh
Written by Rabbi David Mitchell Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Rabbi David Mitchell of Radlett and Bushey Reform Synagogue reflects on a special moment at one of RSY-Netzer's summer camps.
"Last year I embarked on a whistle-stop tour of all four RSY-Netzer Shemesh summer camps. I ended that tour feeling overwhelmed by the energy and commitment of the madrichim (teen leaders), the enthusiasm of the chaninchim (participants) and the enormous potential within the youngest members of our Movement. More than all of that, I left energised; infected by the ruach (spirited energy) and inspired by seeing so many young Reform Jews living and loving their Reform Judaism.
This year, due to congregational commitments, there was not enough time to get around all the camps. Instead I was honoured to participate in Livluv, the pre-Shemesh madrichim training programme, and then made a flying overnight visit to one of the camps.
The session I was asked to run at Livluv was on ‘Hyping up Havdallah’. Havdallah (the short ceremony marking the end of Shabbat) was sometimes slightly under-whelming at Shemesh and RSY wanted to change this.
At my synagogue, Radlett and Bushey Reform Synagogue, whenever we run a residential weekend we always try to create a special Havdallah experience. Whether in a campsite, a retreat, a European city or New York's Central Park, we endeavour to capture the beauty of the ritual and to touch upon the sadness of Shabbat departing as well as the optimism of the week ahead. Often we focus on creating a sensory experience and use everything from incense sticks, to fireworks to make sure that Havdallah is both beautiful and memorable. The preparatory session with the RSY madrichim tried to convey these aims and involved a range of props to stimulate the senses, including chocolates, to ensure a ‘sweet week’.
This past Shabbat, putting theory into practice, I went to Reut, the camp for 14 year olds, to lead Havdallah and a couple of sessions on the Sunday. The last Havdallah of Shemesh is always bittersweet; sorrow that camp is almost over, but great excitement as the preparations begin for the last night party. To make the Reut Havdallah special, we provided chocolates, incense sticks, candles and 80 Chinese flying lanterns. These 100% biodegradable lanterns are enchanting, not just because they glow and fill with hot air as they gracefully rise to the star lit sky, but also because they are made of rice paper and can be embellished with marker pens.
In preparation for Havdallah the teens paired up with a new friend they had made on the camp. Together they decorated their shared lantern with images and words to represent the memories they wished to take away from their last Shabbat of camp. With the lanterns prepared we went outside to a candle-filled courtyard. Incense was burning and the excited teens joined arms in a circle. Having looked for the prescribed three starts in the sky, we launched into singing the brachot (blessings) accompanied by several guitars as the teens swayed from side to side. Once the blessing to mark the end of Shabbat had been recited, the madrichim rushed around lighting the wicks tied to the bottom of the lanterns. As the lanterns filled with hot air and expanded, the anticipation grew, until, following a short count-down, we released 80 beautiful and multicoloured lanterns into the night sky. Craning backwards we watched the graceful lights float up to the stars as we sang ‘shavuah tov’ (have a good week) in every language we could think of.
The cheering began, greatly enhanced by chocolates and sweets. The camp burst into song, chanting enthusiastically for twenty minutes whilst a bonfire was built. The party then relocated around the campfire for more singing and games. We were outdoors, under the cold starlit sky, for at least two hours, but no one seemed to notice; we were all too caught up in the moment and the ruach. As the evening drew to a natural close the camp sang an energetic rendition of the RSY-Netzer song followed by a hauntingly beautiful Shema. With the festivities at an end, the leaders wished everyone a good night and, after a great deal of hugging, the teens trundled off to their dorms chattering excitedly.
It was a magical evening that perfectly encapsulated the very best of Reform Judaism; a joyous and memorable egalitarian celebration of our ancient traditions, enhanced by modern innovations, and shared by a group of people determined to enjoy the experience to the full.
Yet again I left Shemesh enthused, inspired and looking forward to returning next year for another injection of the RSY ruach."
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