The week continued with more activities and special events leading up to Tisha B’Av. On Wednesday night, we watched an incredibly moving Nine Days play called “A Nation Apart.” The first performance in our new Mercazia Performing Arts Center, the play was an original production created by our drama and music heads Sally and Danny Shatzkes. It was both meaningful and educational, as the actors took the audience through various stages of Jewish history.
Thursday was the sixth annual four-way intercamp between Mesorah, Lavi, Nesher and Morasha. Each camp hosted one or two divisions for a great day of healthy competition and reconnecting with friends. At night, we had our Division vs. Division Stomp competition, where each group performed a Stomp depicting a different mitzvah. Congrats to the Manhigim/Got for winning!
On Friday night, we watched a special pre-shabbos video made by our Chesed committee, called “Unlabeled.” During Shabbat Chazon, we enjoyed an inspirational tisch with Rabbi Mordechai Willig, a campus-wide learn-a-thon, and guest lectures by basketball star Zack Rosen. On Motzei Shabbat, Tisha B’Av started off with a torch procession leading to the Tank, where we heard Eicha, had a beautiful kumzitz, and saw the words “Im Eshkacheich Yerushalayim” burn into the night sky. Machzor Bet enjoyed a moving video presentation and program connecting the tragedy of Tisha B’Av to our times and current events. The next day, each division davened, recited Kinnot and participated in special activities to mark the commemoration of the fast.
We are gearing up for a great week, starting off with Shiria tonight! We are sad to say goodbye to our first-month campers who are leaving tomorrow, but we hope to see you next year, and we look forward to welcoming our August campers to Morasha!