Wczoraj nie było zaprawy porannej, dzięki czemu mogliśmy trochę dłużej pospać. Potem poszliśmy na szybkie śniadanko. Po zjedzeniu mieliśmy chwile przerwy na spakowanie się, następnie ruszyliśmy na cmentarz żydowski, który dokładnie posprzątaliśmy i na którym grupa z Izraela przedstawiła krótką inscenizację poświęconą pamięci tych, którzy odeszli. Następnie poszliśmy zwartą grupą do Biedronki lub Odido, aby uzupełnić kończące się zapasy żywnościowe i nie tylko. Do obozu wróciliśmy około godziny 14.30 i od razu poszliśmy na pyszny obiadek (biały barszcz i ryba!).
Po obiedzie przyszedł czas na warsztaty. Część z nas uczestniczy w zajęciach tanecznych, gdzie spędzamy więcej czasu, niż wynikałoby z planu dnia, bo nie tylko tańczymy, ale też rozluźniamy się, rozciągamy, a przede wszystkim dobrze bawimy. Chodzimy też na warsztaty psychologiczne, na których rozmawiamy o miłości i zdradzie i innych ciekawych sprawach. Po warsztatach otwarte było kąpielisko, skorzystaliśmy bardzo chętnie z możliwości ochłody.
Po chwili wolnego czasu odbyła się kolacja szabasowa, na która mieliśmy się odświętnie ubrać, co bardzo nam się podobało. Wieczorem jak zawsze siedzieliśmy przy ognisku i śpiewaliśmy. W drugim programie zaplanowano koncert w Korzonku, przygotowany przez druhnę Batię, w którym słuchaliśmy piosenek z Izraela.
Zastęp 16
6th of July
Wake up was later than usual as there was no morning work-out. The plan was to have breakfast earlier and then leave for the Jewish Cemetery in Osno Lubuskie.
The campers were divided into groups according to the number of the tent. Each group left the camp-site in small rowing boats for the other side of the lake. Once the entire group had crossed to the opposite bank, we then started to walk towards the town. At first we walked through the forest and then the dirt-track passed through agricultural fields. There were no up or down-hills and it was an enjoyable walk of about 4 kilometers in pleasant weather. Once at the cemetery we waited until all the groups arrived. During this time we spoke with our friends and the counselors and explained to them what was written and readable on the few remaining tombstones. At first we didn’t give the situation the at tention that we should have. We were tired from the walk and wanted to rest. We waited for about 20 minutes till all the groups arrived and then we got ready to begin the ceremony.
The ceremony began with the song “Amazing Grace” sung by David D’or and at this stage we really became emotional. The readers at the ceremony were us four Israelis, joined by Batia and Avi and also by Michael head of the camp and two of our Polish friends, so we were 6 youngsters. During the song, each of us in her turn lit a memorial candle so there were 6 candles to represent the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Each one of us had a part to read in English and some of the important parts were translated and read in Polish by Batia and Michael. At the end of the ceremony the song “שמור על העולם ילד” (Watch over the World, Child) and at this stage we had tears, it was very emotional. The ceremony ended when the campers first sang the Polish anthem and the closing was the singing of Hatikva, the Israeli anthem.
From the cemetery we walked to the local supermarket and we were allowed to buy anything we really wanted. We bought snacks for the tent and loaded our package in to a waiting car so we didn’t have to carry it back. We returned by foot to the lake where once again we crossed in the small boats. Lunch was served later than usual and immediately afterwards we started preparing for the Kabalat Shabbat ceremony.
For the next two hours we decorated the dining room with Israeli flags and with a big sign written in Hebrew and one in English – “SHABBAT SHALOM”. These signs we prepared the day before in the late afternoon. WE put white table cloths on each table, set the table with crockery and cutlery, “Shkedei Marak” (Israeli soup croutons), for each camper a glass of grape-juice, two candles (which were lit before the campers arrived), A loaf of “Halah” on each table and blue serviettes.
At 19:15 the entire camp came for dinner wearing white shirts, it was very impressive. We started with the song “היום יום שישי ” (Today is Friday) and then each of us explained her part in the Ceremony: Inbar explained about Kabalat Shabbat in general, Bar G explained the lighting of the candles and after lighting the candles she recited the blessing. Next was Bar M who explained about the meaning of having special bread for Friday (“Halah”) and she too recited the blessing over the bread. Finally Liya explained and blessed over the Grape-juice. After the ceremony each table was served with clear chicken-soup and later with regular bread, cheese and vegetables.
After dinner we had the regular singing at the fire-side after which Batia gave a presentation based on Israeli songs and singers of her personal liking (and choice) and she also explained about the culture. It was very interesting, her choice was suitable for the occasion and even we, the young Israelis had something to learn. It was late at night after a long and tiring day and so some of our friends were too tired to attend and enjoy with this, however, there was a very nice turn out. We got to bed at midnight after a very intensive day.
Submitted by Bar M.
