There’s a certain kind of magic that settles over camp as Friday afternoon rolls in. The pace begins to slow, songs drift from cabins and porches, and even the trees seem to lean in a little closer. Shabbat is coming — and at camp, it’s not just a day of rest. It’s a full-body experience. It’s a reset. It’s sacred, joyful, and full of community.
From Chaos to Calm
The transition begins with camp-wide nikayon (clean-up). Campers tidy their spaces, counselors race to get everyone showered and in fresh clothes, and the excitement builds. There’s something special about trading tie-dye and crocs for white shirts and sandals. Camp transforms from a busy bubble of color and movement into something intentional — everyone looking and feeling their best, inside and out.
Shabbat Schmooze
As the sun begins to dip, the entire camp gathers at Degel (Flag) where we welcome shabbat together. All together, singing and giving one another hugs with the smooth sound of everyone saying “Shabbat Shalom”, our voices layered over the sounds of nature. It’s a weekly reset, and whether you’re a first-year camper or a veteran staff member, the feeling is the same: we’re part of something bigger than ourselves, something timeless.
Friday Night Services
Friday night services at camp aren’t your average synagogue experience. Sitting on logs or benches under the open sky, we welcome Shabbat through song, prayer, and intention. Campers lead blessings, share reflections, and sing with a kind of spirit that only seems possible in a place where everyone feels deeply at home. The prayers are familiar, but the energy is electric — full of clapping, harmonies, and ruach (spirit).
A Feast to Remember
Shabbat dinner is always a highlight. Tables set with challah and grape juice, campers shoulder to shoulder, singing blessings with gusto. Whether it’s homemade Brisket and potatoes, Matzo Ball Soup, or even Sha-Brownies (Shabbat + Brownies) something about the meal — maybe the hunger, maybe the holiness — makes it taste just right. And of course, the Birkat Hamazon (blessing after the meal) is anything but quiet — it’s loud, proud, and filled with joy.
Saturday: Rest and Reconnect
Shabbat morning is slower. Campers sleep in (a little), enjoy a relaxed breakfast, and gather for one of our Choose Your Own Tefillah’s, a prayer service of that is better served to each individual camper; either a Beatles themed service, traditional Israel folk dancing, or a Disney Princess themed service. We then gather all together to read Torah and revel in the texts that our ancestors have read and studied. In the afternoon, Shab’options (Shabbat + Options) reign. It’s a time for friendship bracelets, pick-up games, nature walks, or lying in the grass with a book. It’s a time to be.
Havdalah: Ending with Light and Song
As the sun sets Saturday night, we gather one last time for Havdalah. A braided candle glows in the center, spices are passed, and arms wrap around shoulders. We sway and sing as we say goodbye to Shabbat and step gently back into the rhythm of camp life. The flame dances in our eyes, and the sense of connection lingers — to each other, to tradition, and to something bigger than ourselves – culminating in a song that reigns true week in and week out; everybody loves a Saturday night.
Why It Matters
At camp, Shabbat is not a break from fun — it’s a deepening of it. It teaches campers to pause, to notice, to appreciate. It’s where we find holiness not just in prayer, but in laughter, nature, and friendship. It’s one of the reasons why, long after summer ends, the songs still echo in our hearts and the glow of Shabbat still lingers.
