When planning for this summer back in September 2018, Rachael and I discussed whether camp should start this week (on 6/24) or next. We still wanted a full 8 weeks of Givah and decided on launching Givah this past Monday to ensure that was the case. We made this decision, even though some schools were still to be in session, including my own. Rachael stepped up to the plate and agreed to take the helm for the first four days of Givah.
Similar to this week's Torah portion, Shelach, (in which Moshe sent spies to the land of Cana'an to seek status reports), I've been checking in with Rachael, counselors and campers to see how the first week has been going. I have been thrilled to hear of happy campers (pun intended) and the return of nose jousting, gaga, instructional swim, Lima/Pinto and Kidney beans at Eitz Hada'at and so much more! It is with a deep gratitude that I express my thanks to Rachael for her leadership of camp in my absence. Thank you to all madrichim (counselors/staff) for a great first week). It was so nice to return to high fives/"boker tovs" off the bus on Friday morning!
Shabbat Shalom, Dan Scher
July 4th BBQ
July 5th 1-2 Oneg
Join in the Givah fun at 11:30am. We will start the day off with a BBQ followed by some camp activities. Hot dogs and burgers will be sold to guests for $2.00 each. Sides and drinks will be available at no charge. Please register on our website at campgivah.org.
W E E K 1 | Friday June 2, 2019 | 5779 כו' בסיון
Come and enjoy dancing, singing and fresh made challah as our Chamudim lead us in Oneg Shabbat.
Scher Shares

This week, I had the privilege of meeting with the 3rd through 6th grade campers to study this week’s Torah portion. This week’s Torah portion (Korach) features Korach and two members of the tribe of Reuben (Dathan and Abiram) who lead a rebellion against Moshe and Aaron. Through analyzing how Moshe dealt with this conflict, we can learn and apply some of the strategies Moshe chose to our interactions at Camp Givah and to our lives more broadly.
 In Bamidbar/Numbers 16:12, Moshe sent for Dathan and Abiram. Moshe wanted to talk out the issues going on and inviting a person that one is in conflict with to have a dialogue is an important part of conflict resolution.
 In chapter 16 verse 5, Moshe spoke of God’s judgment coming in the morning. This provided a cool down period and opportunity for the rebels to cool down and repent. Similarly, when we come across conflict, it can be prudent to take space and allow cooler heads to prevail.
 In chapter 15, verse 25 Moshe went to Dathan and Abiram to personally reach out to them. Taking the time to speak with a person with whom one is in conflict directly shows a level of respect.
Each of these strategies are subtle, yet can mean a lot to help deal with any issues we come across in life.
Shabbat Shalom, Dan Scher​

This week, I had the opportunity to meet with both 1-2 groups for Limud. You heard that right. We had to split 1-2 into two groups this week because we had 26 campers!
Anyway, back to my limud sessions with the 1-2 groups (after some bragging!):
We skipped ahead a parsha to study one of my favorites: Balak. We reviewed the story of the magician, Bilaam, who was hired to curse the Israelites, but blessed them instead. The campers seemed amazed to know that the blessing Bilaam proclaimed was in fact the “Mah Tovu” prayer that we’ve been singing at Gan, 1-2 Tefillot since the start of the summer.
Truthfully, gloating about our growing camper enrollment is very relevant to our weekly Torah portion studies as the book of BaMidbar (literally translated as “In the Desert”) is known as the Book of Numbers!
To encourage future Givah attendees and support our growth, please recommend friends who are not yet Givah campers to join us for “Givah Guest Day.” See page 8 for more information!
Shabbat Shalom, Dan Scher

With the competition of Maccabiah looming, I met with the campers entering grades 3-10 to address how to deal with conflict. Brave campers volunteered to perform a skit, acting out a scenario in which one actor was teasing another. Throughout the skit we paused to discuss the various roles that one might play when witnessing people in conflict. Campers were insightful in noticing the impact of snickering along when teasing/bullying takes place. They picked up on the reasons that “onlookers” and “possible defenders” might hesitate when considering whether they should step in and help. We discussed the options that a “defender” has when intervening. While my motivation for leading this activity was to have campers make the connection between this skit and healthy/positive competition during Maccabiah, my hope is that the lessons from this skit transfer to other activities. We concluded with the goal that we would work our way towards being “defenders” when we see an injustice and would have an eye on the impacts of our actions.
​Shabbat Shalom, Dan Scher

I have been meeting with the Na’arim (7th & 8th grade campers) throughout this summer and we’ve been tracing through the evolution of different forms of Jewish practice. We discussed the impact of Enlightenment and Emancipation on the integration of Jews into the broader society. After providing this historical context, we looked at the writings/philosophies of Jewish thought-leaders including Moses Mendelssohn, Zechariah Frankel, Samson Raphael Hirsch, Isaac Mayer Wise and more. Over the remaining few weeks of our 5779/2019 Camp Givah season, we’ll continue to explore the beautiful variations of Jewish worship.
See the impromptu costume that Freya developed when we studied Isaac Mayer Wise’s contributions to Reform Judaism in the United States.
Shabbat Shalom,
Dan Scher

 Last Thursday, Rabbi Eligberg joined us at Givah with a Torah in hand. As Rabbi said, “have Torah, will travel.” The rabbi shared how the Torah is wrapped and revealed the beauty from within the Torah. He shared how a Torah is written and fixed. Campers got to check out the layout of the writing and see some key parts of the Torah that are spread out differently.
We look forward to Rabbi Eligberg joining us for the last Thursday of the summer as campers will have the opportunity to explore the Torah further and even read a verse or two from it.
Shabbat Shalom,
Dan Scher

As we near the end of the summer, I want to express such gratitude for the hard work of all of our madrichim in helping to make summer 2019/5779 a success!  I am writing this article after an undernight/overnight which took some flexibility and perseverance that impressed me.  We pitched tents, but then chose to move them in the Bet Am while a storm might have passed.  Campers and counselors were great about doing this and then bringing them back out to be setup for the sleeping.  Giborim (superheroes) joined our Gan and 1-2 for their undernight and campers had great ruach as they sang along with Sawyer during their mock bonfire.  Shore, Leo, Shaina and Kristin planned a creative escape room activity for our oldest campers after the 3-4 and 5-6 went to bed.  Thank you to all for a great evening at camp. 
I look forward to a wonderful Zim and last week at camp!
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 As I write this article (on Wednesday morning), I’m relishing the memories of last night’s Zim. Special thanks go out to Noa Bahir for teaching all the campers their dances and to Sawyer Harrington Verb who led the camp in beautiful songs. Thanks also go out to all staff who helped make the long day and performance such a success. The finale song, “Shevet Achim V’achayot,” speaks of a tribe of brothers and sisters. By the end of the summer, our Givah community feels like the close knit family that was sung about in the song on Tuesday night. We will be sad to depart on Friday, August 16th, but look forward to seeing everyone again in 44 short weeks.