Camp Chevra Shmooze 2017

Week 1

Parshas Chukas • Candle lighting 8:15 From the desk of the person that usually doesn’t sit behind a desk in the summer…….. Camp Chevra 2017 got off to an explosively exciting start! Just after 9:15 and for some at the crack of dawn, the campers arrived at our brand-new stadium…err…. facility and were greeted by the smiling, energetic, amazing, Camp Chevra shirt wearing staff. After meeting some of their friends that they hadn’t seen since school ended a whole 3 days ago, and meeting their friends they haven’t seen since last summer, the boys all went into our state of the art dining hall…. that’s right! it’s not just a lunch room….it’s a dining hall….fully equipped with tables and chairs and lights and all other great things a dining hall should have. But…but….but….then where does Camp Chevra do all their plays and shows??? Well our dining hall

also has a huge Broadway style stage and our very own cinematographer to capture all the actors defining moments. After admiring our very own Radio City Music Hall, Rabbi Sherman and Rabbi Robinson got the entire camp pumped up by introducing our brand-new Camp Chevra Cheer. When I say C …When I say H….When I say E…..you get the point….If you don’t get the point because you are still in awe of the dining hall, then just come visit camp any morning and prepare to be blown away. After some really really really loud cheers we settled down for Orientation…..but no one does Orientation like Rabbi Sherman. After the most exciting orientation in the history of orientations the junior division and senior division split up and went to our 2 gyms…that’s right I said 2 gyms to play an all-out dodgeball game. The campers dodged, dodged, and dodged until it was time for lunch. And what was 1|Page

lunch you ask??? Well what else would it be other than piping hot fresh pizza and French fries!! Yummmm! After playing an exciting game at lunch, the boys cooled off in the refreshing pool and came back for bunk activities….where the entire camp was treated to FRESHLY POPPED POPCORN and REAL CARNIVAL STYLE COTTON CANDY….a few campers were able to sneak in for doubles after knocking Hagler into the giant pool by hitting him with an apple that they bobbed for after finishing the dizzy maze with mirrors. The day ended with a Camp Chevra exclusive special activity called Beckon The Barn where bunks split up and had to make animal sounds to get their counselors attention in order to win the game….boy it sounded like a Zoo!...now why would that be? Dismissal was brilliant….as always…..Chevra X-tra had a huge baseball game in our new stadium. Ari Jacobs hit a Coors-friendly pop up that somehow got out of the stadium. But Larner showed him up by hitting a 565 drive to center field that got everyone on their feet. The night ended with ice cold slurpies for everyone! Day 2 was all about the….sports…all about the….sports….and Swikers got treated to

a professional art class…..there is no camp that does a swiker program like Camp Chevra….while the Swikers were doing their thing…tons of sports were going on. Every single field, court, rink, and course was filled with competitive and exciting games. After lunch there was more sports and swimming and then a really fun and cool and crazy timed obstacle skills challenge course where every bunk had to do many different challenges in under 2 minutes. Rabbi Sherman was dizzier than Robinson ever was after driving carpool. Dismissal was glorious again.…it would be very hard if not impossible to top that gloriosity…but X-Tra did just that.! NIGHT LEAGUES began….2 games of games under the lights….it was more exciting than Wrigley Field’s first night game. After a doubleheader everyone was treated to fresh cold cut sandwiches….fully loaded of course….I think Yair Weinberg, Sruli Zuckerman, and Menachem Lebovic are still pounding away…but only one of them actually kept the food down….sorry to their carpools. Friday was the best…..why? Because its Friday and everyone loves Friday. Why does everyone love Friday? Because its right after Thursday…plain and simple….. 2|Page

anyway swikers learned some self-defense and karate and tie quan dough and jew ditz oo and krav magah while leagues began…of course everyone’s team is worse than the other team and all teams are not fair and all the winners got lucky and all the teams that lost were because the lucky team that won cheated and the team that cheated only cheated because the other team was better and since the other team was better they had to cheat to be lucky and since they were lucky enough to cheat they were able to trade all their players for different players and ask to be traded to the other team that wasn’t lucky because we all know it’s not better to be lucky than good… just kidding. Everybody knows Camp Chevra has the best leagues in the entire state of New York. I just want my cholent….speaking of cholent…what a great lunch…mmmm cholent, kugel, and kishka…..now THAT’S why we love Friday! The day ended in style as only Camp Chevra can….with our weekly grand raffle where there were some campers that won and some campers that didn’t….but when you really think about it…as the great legendary sultan of swat….Houdini of the hardwood….broadway joe….the great one…Sid the kid….the king….pistol Pete…..magic man….Larry legend….Elisha Beyman always says….there are only WINNERS in Camp Chevra. Have a great Shabbos…..

WHAT CAN POSSIBLY BE IN STORE FOR NEXT WEEK? SUNDAY: HOPING TIME FLIES BY SO IT CAN BE MONDAY MONDAY: ON/OFF/ON/OFF TUESDAY: WORST DAY OF THE WEEK (no camp, July 4th) WEDNESDAY: GRAND TRIP: KEANSBURG WATER PARK THURSDAY: HAVE CAKE AND EAT IT OO FRIDAY: REMINISCE ABOUT THE AWESOME WEEK AND CHOLENT SHABBOS: REST UP FOR NEXT WEEK Reminder: Please send your child(ren) with AT LEAST one bottle of water each day. There is also a canteen with 3|Page ice cold water and other drinks for purchase.

Wow what an amazing start to CHEVRA 2017!! I can’t believe it’s only three days, it feels like three weeks. With all the achdus and cheering it’s like we have been together for a month already. The season started off with the staff and campers piling into our new beautiful facility by Summit Park Elementary. When I say piling in I mean piling in!! we loaded the dining room to capacity as over 250 smiling campers all joined together in the dining room. Rabbi Sherman spoke about being a Chevra and making sure every child and every camper has a good day and a fun time. We then got introduced to our staff. One by one the staff came flying into the gym and got to know their bunk. It was then off to the gym to play an all-out dodgeball game. This was no ordinary dodge ball as each out was a point for your team. Meir Levine’s bunk managed to rack up 57 points!! They all got frozen ices by lunch for their first big win. At lunch we played a great game of 00-11 where each bunk had to say their name then the name of another bunk.it was bunk Shimon who was able to fight off the fierce competition from bunk Yissochor. It was then off to the sparkling Olympic size pool where each buddy got a buddy band and was allowed into the swimming area. The boys sure enjoyed the cool refreshing water as they splashed around in our cool pool. Back in camp there were still bunk games going on as the senior division showed which bunks have the real talent. Before we knew it, it was time for

dismissal and all the campers went home after a full day of fun. Thursday started off with a rocking when I say “c” you say “c”!!! we all went right off to our learning groups where the Torah was heard all around camp. After the learning, there were bunk games where the campers were graded for leagues. It was some more fun in the lunchroom during lunch. Rabbi Robinson played guess who with the camp. He called the mystery mother and asked her questions. In the end, it was Mrs. Obermeister who was on the line and Aryeh Obermeister won a fabulous prize!! After swimming the whole camp played Stop The Clock. The bunks were running from challenge to challenge to complete the task in as quick time as possible. Mozlov and his bunk were able to do the volley limbo in only 34 seconds for a Camp Chevra record. Friday was a packed fun day as LEAUGES 2017 got underway!! The games began as teams went all out fighting for their first wins!! We ended the week with an amazing long record setting game of musical chairs!! We are trying to get in touch with Guinness World Records to see if we broke a record!! All in all, we are off to a terrific start and it’s all thanks to the dedicated staff and the amazing campers!! Have a great Shabbos and rest up for next week in CAMP CHEVRA!!! Sincerely, Your head counselor Rabbi Sherman 4|Page

Sports Desk

flying! Campers were smiling! And the

By: Asst. Head Counselor (and Umpire) R’ Robinson

Yurowitz out of hibernation! Until

Wow!! What an amazing start to camp this summer!! I was very nervous when we changed from our Kakiat location. After all, how can we survive without our famed Peeling-Paint Manager, Mike??!! But then I saw how awesome the new grounds are and I think Camp Chevra has found its home! Besides the building itself, with a huge dining room (WITH FANS!!), spacious classrooms, and TWO gyms, the fields make the camp special. After weeks of painstakingly spraypainting professional white lines for the baseball and football fields (hopefully it doesn’t rain soon), Camp Chevra is the real deal! But no field is complete

beautiful weather even brought Avi leagues began, there was fierce bunk vs. bunk action. We had an amazing campwide

all-out

dodgeball

tournament

where Shmuel Mazlov’s ball was caught almost immediately and Ari Krasnow was running for his life after an onslaught of throws from the entire senior division. But that was all kids’ stuff……..We are proud to announce the start of Camp Chevra Leagues 2017!!!! It’ll be intense, it’ll be competitive, and it can only produce one Camp Chevra champion. And Avi Yurowitz does not have home field advantage because he only wins in Kakiat. We are so excited to continue our spectacular summer and remember................

without………..CAMPERS!!! And boy did they bring it. Besides the regular baseball, basketball, and football, we had bunk games of Newcombe, soccer, hockey and Ultimate Frisbee. Balls were 5|Page

I was pulling into the rest area on the NJ turnpike to get some gas for the final leg of my long trip home. I handed the gas attendant my credit card and headed in to the building to get a drink. What happened next is something that happens to me all the time. I was approached by a secular looking American man in mid to late fifties. "Hello, are you a rabbi?" I responded, "yes is there something I can help you with?" To which he responds yes " why do you have those white strings sticking out of your shirt? and what’s that on your head? Why do you wear that?" All of this might have happened to you some time as well. But guess what he didn't ask me something rashi in this week’s parsha says they all ask us."What’s the reason for the mitzva of para aduma?" Be honest have you ever been asked that one? I don't think so. so, what's rashi telling us? The answer is they do ask that albeit in other words it sounds more like this "Why do good people have it so hard while bad people seems like it goes so easy and good for them?" That I know you have been asked or perhaps asked it yourself. Essentially that is what happens with the para aduma pure ones

become impure and impure ones become pure. What? wait how does that work? that seems un fair in life we have those moments and questions all the time this parsha starts out by telling us don’t try to understand it cause you won't you may ask but don't expect an answer at least not right away wait I’m supposed to write a newsletter article about camp chevra what’s this got to do with anything? I’ll tell you ,as a new summer begins hanging around these great boys at camp many times this enigma is something that bothers us in many different formats I think it is the perfect lesson to start the summer with not always do we understand everything but one thing is for sure here at camp your child will be cared for and taken care of though those questions might nag there is a devoted head staff and staff that are here to help and explain whatever we can so feel free to call and do ask those questions and I hope we will adequately be able to satisfy you and your request looking forward to healthy fun summer with your precious children Rabbi Yisroel Neiman

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Swikers Camp started off with the bang! It was so exciting! We began with orientation on Wednesday. We then played a little game to 'break the ice.' Everyone sat in a circle and I start off in the middle. I introduced myself and said something exciting about myself. Anyone who had something similar to what I mentioned got up and switched seats. Whomever was left in the middle did the same thing. We really had so much of fun and learned so much about each other. The next day we took a cool walk around the camp grounds. We saw all kinds of exotic plants that grow here. It was amazing to see how much we already know how and much more there is to learn about the world around us. We also had Mrs. Mizrachi come to show us things about art. Each camper has their own canvas and painted masterpieces. The talent that was seen that day... Wow! On Friday the boys were treated to an amazing introduction to self-defense. We really had an amazing week and are looking forward to an awesome Summer! There is so much planned! Can't wait for the rest of our action-packed program!! Have an awesome Shabbos!! Ari

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Staffer of the Week Mosheyehuda Berkowitz

BEST LEARNERS OF THE WEEK (Everyone learned super great!) Rabbi Goldstein: Eliyahu Levine Rabbi Naftoli: Elisha Jankelovitz Rabbi Brownstein: Nachman Genuth Rabbi Krasnow: Moshe Zucker Rabbi Neiman: Gershon Lowenger Rabbi Robinson: Ellozer Leiberman Rabbi Sherman: Pinchas Heller

Campers of the week (Everyone camped super great)! BUNK 1: RAFI GEWIRTZMAN and EZY LOVI BUNK 2A: ELISHA JANKELOVITZ and YOSSI KUT BUNK 2B: SHULY SCHWARTZ and YONA LOVINGER BUNK 2C: ZEVY KOBLICK BUNK 3A: SHLOMO EICHLER and AVI GOLDBERG BUNK 3B: ILAN ZIEGLER and SHLOMO SANDBERG BUNK 4A: DOVY DORFMAN, YISSACHAR SIMONS, and EPHRAIM SHAPIRO BUNK 4B: YOEL WEISBERG and JJ GOTESMAN BUNK 5A: MENACHEM LIPSCHUTZ and MOSHE SICKER BUNK 5B: YOSSI SPIRA BUNK 6A: BENTZI SCHUSTER BUNK 6B: AVI GREENBAUM and DOVID TEICHER SENIORS: AVRHAHM YAAKOV SCHUSTER and YESHAYA BAKER X-TREME: PINCHAS HELLER and MENACHEM MEIR ELFASSY

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Camp Chevra Staff 2017 Head Staff: Executive Director: Moshe Genuth Camp Director: Yitz Greenbaum 917-972-7505 Project Coordinator: Ushy Schwartz Head Counselor: Rabbi Chezky Sherman 773-575-2144 Learning Director: Rabbi Yisroel Neiman 848-299-6546 Assistant Head Counselor: Rabbi Yitzi Robinson 773-992-8658 Swikers Director: Ari Goldstein 845-826-5055 Preschool Director: Debbie Berman 845-596-8754

The Ones Who Think They Are Head Staff: Jack of all Trades: Eitan Hagler Canteen Guru: Chaim Kenig Equipment Police: Mosheyehuda Berkowitz Director, Producer, Videographer: Eli Smith Swikers Left Hand Bro: Gavi Goldstein

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Chevramazing Counselors: Bunk 1

Bunk 4A

Counselor: Avraham Naftoli 845-521-8510

Counselor: Shmuel Maslov 845-376-0841

Junior Counselor: Meir Nisenbaum

Junior Counselor: Dovid Mizrach

Junior Counselor: Elimelech Swissa

Junior Counselor: Avrumi Green

Junior Counselor: Leiby Firer

Bunk 4B

Bunk 2A

Counselor: Elisha Abramowitz 845-274-6277

Counselor: Pinchy Rayvich 845-893-7428

Junior Counselor: Eli Spiegel

Junior Counselor: Dovid Zelikovych

Bunk 5A

Bunk 2B

Co-Counselor: Binyomin Larner y845-608-5176

Counselor: Mordechai Elfassy 845-461-1704

Co-Counselor: Mayer Levine 845-671-2664

Junior Counselor: Shimshy Golomb

Bunk 5B

Bunk 2C

Counselor: Avi Koslovsky 845-709-1985

Counselor: Moe Weinstein 845-499-6977

Junior Counselor: Yeshaya Wohlgemuth

Junior Counselor: Ephraim Zellimer

Bunk 6A

Bunk 3A

Counselor: Avi Yurowitz 845-558-2141

Counselor: Daniel Lehrer 845-596-6997

Junior Counselor: Yisroel Yehuda

Junior Counselor: Avigdor Hammer

Bunk 6B

Bunk 3B

Counselor: Elisha Beyman 845-825-3355

Counselor: Levi Osinsky 845-587-8627

Junior Counselor: Ari Jacobs

Junior Counselor: Netanel Jarashow

Bunk Seniors

Junior Counselor: Shalom Kut

Counselor: Yechiel Wieder 845-304-2951 Junior Counselor: Menachem Farkas Bunk X-Treme Counselor: Ari Krasnow 347-752-2145

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