Encampment 2011 Recap

by Jake Weiss, 2011-2012 Koach President

9 days, 8 nights, one million reasons to have a good time. In other words, METNY ENCAMPMENT 2011! Starting on August 22nd, I, along with 400 other USYers, embarked on an unforgettable journey of adventure through Disney Encampment. From the moment I stepped off the bus, I knew I was in for the Encampment of a lifetime. The highlights for me, without a doubt, were Bible Bowl and Maccabiah. Bible Bowl is a Jewish trivia competition held between the four divisions. Although we unfortunately lost (cough cough Steph cough cough,) I had the night of my life. I had the honor of leading the division in cheers and spirit and I have never felt prouder. I felt even better the next day when the division came out ready to fight and won Maccabiah! Over the next week, I enjoyed myself during the A Cappella concerts, Israeli dancing nights, and various programs run by board members. Of course, I became best friends with a beautiful girl named Irene, she really blew me away! Hurricane Irene added a whole new level of excitement to camp. From power outages to new sleeping arrangements to very wet days, the USYers were able to handle everything that came our away, and I know that I had the best 9 nine days EVER!

by Daniel Koas, 2011-2012 Rakevet President

“Encampment: The Best 9 Days of Your Summer!” Those are the words that cover brochures for Encampment. Those are the words that countless USYers say to try to convince their friends to attend. Yet, those words do not do Encampment justice. This past Encampment, my fourth and final one, truly felt like coming full circle. For the past three years, I have taken Encampment for granted, and only this year I realized how meaningful it is to me. Despite the tears, I had the time of my life. Nothing beats leading Rakevet (the BEST division) in Maccabiah and Bible Bowl. Nothing beats spending over a week with the best friends I could ask for. Nothing beats eating meals together as a region. And of course, nothing beats chilling with Hurricane Irene.

Encampment truly is the best time of the summer. The programming was successful: Between Israel Day (mmm…falafel!), listening to interesting speakers, dancing, singing along with Bible Raps (I’m not white, I’m Jewish!), and learning, this Encampment was definitely one of the best. The ruach was unmatched: The creative services and Shabbat singing were both fantastic. Personally, I loved the competitive nature of Maccabiah and Bible Bowl and the chances they gave the region to break by division. While Encampment is over, I can’t wait for what the rest of the USY year has to offer!

by Michael Fleischer, 2011-2012 Kiryah President

How to put this, oh right, my final encampment is now over! No more beach volleyball during chofesh. No more bunk dances. No more decadent morning walks (I mean that sarcastically of course) to the Beit Am for services. For four years I’ve been going to encampment. And this year was by far the best one. Between my awesomely choregraphed (by me) bunk dance, my late-night bunk bonding silent football games, and my amazing division winning Bible Bowl, I had the best encampment ever. When Kiryah won the Bible Bowl after a sudden death round, come-from-behind win, I lost it. I cried tears of pure happiness. Let me rephrase that, MANLY tears of happiness. There, much better.

by Jordan Liebman, 2011-2012 METNY Religion/Education VP

Encampment undoubtedly is the time I most look forward to every year. Looking back now, the 9 days I spend at the end of August in Camp Ramah in the Berkshires are the best 9 days of my entire year. It truly doesn’t matter what I’m doing or whom I’m with, I’m always having fun. Even considering the lovely arrival of Hurricane Irene, I was still able to enjoy myself spending hours upon hours cooped up in my bunk with my closest friends. It’s hard to explain the feelings you experience as encampment progresses; it’s a strange emotion where you’re completely care free yet you really care about what is going on. The people you are with are easily the best people in the world, and EVERYONE is reluctant and upset to leave on the final Tuesday morning. Kids who would never expect themselves to be in engaged in singing Jewish songs or z’mirot are, and there’s something different and more appealing about Judaism in this less formal atmosphere than that of the more formal synagogue. There’s something inexplicable about being at encampment that makes it the best time of the year. My first thoughts when I got home this year were “Wow, that’s the most fun I’ve had in such a long time. I can’t wait for next year!” I truly cannot wait until next year and I encourage everyone to capitalize on this amazing opportunity and spend the best 9 days of their year at USY encampment!

by Stephanie Nelson, 2011-2012 METNY Israel Affairs VP

On a sunny Monday morning USYers from all of over the metropolitan New York area arrived at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires for METNY Region’s 9 day Encampment. The day began with smiling teenagers running in excitement to hug their friends that they had not seen all summer. It felt like one huge USY reunion as friends caught up with one another and wheels and pilgrimage groups, who had just parted a week ago, were together again.

            After we all put our stuff in our bunks everyone went to the chadar for lunch. Towards the end of lunch we met our three Encampment Co-Chairs, Lindsay Evans Elissa Pehr and Matthew Nelson, and our Regional President, Elan Weinberger, who were dressed in Disney costumes and introduced theDisneylandtheme of Encampment and welcomed us all to MetnyLand. Next we all walked to the Beit Am where we were greeted by our guest speaker, Rabbi Scheff, who introduced the educational theme of Encampment, Jewish life cycles. Later that night Encampment was kicked off with an incredible dance.

            The next morning you could feel the tension between our four divisional presidents, Jake Weiss Max Bartel Michael Fleischer and Daniel Koas, as they were all very busy preparing their divisions for Bible Bowl, which took place that evening. Before Bible Bowl could happen we all needed to be properly introduced to each other so we divided into our grades and participated in icebreakers that were created by our Regional Membership Kadima Vice President, Sara Finkelstein. After we broke the ice it was time to put on our blue green yellow and red paint and battle it out in Bible Bowl. This is a competition between the four divisions where each division is asked questions on Judaism and if they answer correctly they are awarded with points. The winner of Bible Bowl is rewarded with none other then The Bible Bowl, which yes is a literal bowl. All four divisions ran into the Beit Am excited and ready to compete. Last years champions, Koach, walked in last with the Bible Bowl which they had to return to Bruce Varon, Koach Divisional Director, and hope that they would be able to win back. After a long night filled with many ups and down for each division Kiryah won and walked away with the Bible Bowl.

            Jordan Leibman, Regional Religious Education Vice President, woke camp up the next morning with a Pixar themed creative service. This was an excellent way to make sure that no campers were falling asleep because Wednesday was Maccabiah! After breakfast we were divided into our divisions, who we walked to the basketball courts with, for the opening of the Maccabiah games. The day was filled with three legged races, ultimate Frisbee, boating, and a silent lunch where USYers lost points for their division if they spoke. After a long day of competitions our Regional Social Action Tikun Olam Vice President, Morgan Brill, ended our night with a fun Sa/To program that tested all of our Disney knowledge.

            On Thursday morning everyone woke up and put on Blue and White clothing in honor of Israel Day! The entire day was somehow connected to Israel. It began with an optionalIsraelservice which I, Israel Affairs Vice President Stephanie Nelson, lead. After breakfast we all went to the Beit Am where we each wrote a letter to be put in a small cardboard box that would eventually be compiled with hundreds of small cardboard boxes to make the Kotel. Towards the end of Lunch my Israel program began where USYers learned about some of the current issues that Israelis are facing. Next the mishlachat, Israeli counslers, had some fun with the USYers and created a GADNA program where they gave everyone a little taste of IDF basic training. Everyone was warn out from the work out and went to the white tent where there was a small shuk set up with shwarma and Israeli products. After dinner we all went back to the Beit Am where we had a closing ceremony and then an Israeli Dance party. After Israel day was over the freshman sophomores, and juniors were sent to bed while the seniors stayed up for their senior program. The senior program was filled with laughs as Aaron Friedman put on a comedy show.

            Friday morning everyone was excited for Shabbat to come. Hurricane Irene was on her way and everyone was a little bit nervous that she was going to ruin our Shabbat but METNY staff wouldn’t let that happen. Although we couldn’t have Kabbalat Shabbat in the amphitheater it was still incredible to feel the METNY community all together getting ready for Shabbat in the Beit Am. Saturday was filled with small rain storms which only brought our community closer together and helped us have an amazing Shabbat.

            After Havdallah Bible Raps came and rapped for us as we sat in the Chadar while there was a huge storm outside. We were then informed that due to Irene all of the girls would need to sleep in the Beit Am together. Although it wasn’t the most comfortable experience looking back on it now it was one of the most fun nights I’ve ever had. All of the girls took advantage of this opportunity to bond with one another. 

            Sunday night we thought we had finally overcame hurricane Irene but unfortunately she left us with a blackout. This however wasn’t going to stop METNY from having our talent show. After a night of singing, dancing, and many laughs we all went to sleep hoping that we would wake up with our electricity back. Sadly our wish was not granted and it was beginning to feel like METNY Encampment 2011 would never see electricity again. While we were all in our bunks getting ready for the last dance the lights turned back on and everyone was really excited for one of the best nights of Encampment. After the dance was over we all sat and ate cheesecake while watching the slide show. As the seniors began to cry because this was their last Encampment we all walked to the baseball field where we stood together and sang slow ruach songs.

           The next morning we woke up for our final breakfast of Encampment 2011 where we learned that Koach had won both Maccabiah and coin challenge. As Koach celebrated their victory we all hugged each other goodbye and started to look forward for Kickoff which we were all excited to hear will be on a boat this year!

by Max Bartell, 2011-2012 Chazak President

This past encampment was my last one. As a Senior in USY, I can honestly look back and say that this encampment was really amazing. I had a great time with my bunk, B12. Both inside and outside of the bunk, this group of guys was really amazing and I’m so glad I had the chance to bunk with them. I also had a really great time at meals, with all the singing and dancing that goes on for the entire encampment. I had an amazing experience during both Bible Bowl and Maccabiah, I was really proud of Chazak especially, and all of METNY too. The speakers were truly moving and opened up my eyes, mind, and heart to everything that is going on around me. From now on I promise to be more tolerant and aware of my surroundings. I can look back and say that this encampment was one of maturation personally and as a leader. There is no other place I would rather be than with METNY USY at Encampment! 

by Elan Weinberger, 2011-2012 METNY President

This past encampment was my last one. It was filled with joyful memories, funny times, and lots of tears. Still remembering my first encampment eight years ago, I can see how USY has changed my life and how Encampment was such a large part of that change. Between Bible Raps, Macabiah, and Bible Bowl, the programming was amazing. Watching USYers react to different speakers such as Marc Elliot and Rabbi Scheff was truly inspiring. Understanding the difference between tolerance and acceptance during Marc Elliot’s presentation helped me become more understanding of others. Hurricane Irene put some obstacles in the way but ultimately between the Ramah and USY staff, and the USYers themselves, we got through the hurricane with great success. As my first event as president, I learned the various responsibilities that come with running an event and I learned how to help my Vice Presidents learn about their positions. Ultimately, this encampment was the best one ever!!!

by Morgan Brill, 2011-2012 METNY Social Actions/ Tikkun Olam VP

Encampment is the pride and joy of METNY USY, and is without a doubt my favorite event. Encampment is always so much fun, and this year was no exception. When we all got to Camp Ramah in the Berkshires for our first day, all of us spent time unpacking, finding our friends and asking about each other’s summers. Then, we all gathered in the Chadar to watch the encampment opening video and met our AMAZING co-chairs! Every day was a new experience as we learned, had fun, and made new friends. As the week went on, our awesome divisional presidents lead us in Maccabia, Bible bowl, and Coin Challenge (props to Michael Fleischer and Jake Weiss, presidents of Kiryah and Koach divisions respectively). In the next couple of days, METNY met people like Mark Elliot, Rabbi Scheff (for his amazing encore, opening encampment for the second time) and Bible Raps (also an encore, and just as fun the second time!). With all of our new and improved programs, you would have thought we had no time to relax! Not so, as we spent Shabbat hanging out, braving Hurricane Irene, and spending Saturday night in the Beit Am (well if you’re a girl- if you’re a guy, you totally got lucky). But we did it! We got to finish encampment, and have some amazing, albeit electricity-less experiences! Who can forget the time we prayed in the then pitch black Chadar, or did the talent show with little to no electricity? (Let it be noted that I haven’t had Barbeque Sauce since that night). We did it all, and had an amazing time in the process. And it just makes me think- I CAN’T WAIT ‘TIL NEXT YEAR!

by Sara Finkelstein, 2011-2012 METNY Membership/ Kadima VP

I arrived at Camp Ramah with the biggest smile on my face. Then, I realized it was also my last arrival, and that smile quickly turned into a frown. We ran to our bunks and said hello to many of our friends who we had not seen in such a long time, which was great. We then got to enjoy a delicious lunch with our friends and opened my very last encampment. That night, we all got dressed up and enjoyed a fun and much needed dance with all of the USYers. Other great things we did at encampment included my icebreaker which was a senior scavenger hunt all around camp, a fun T.O. program which was played like the game scene it, and a day where we got to learn all about Israel. We also got to listen to some inspirational speakers such as Rabbi Scheff, Marc Elliot and a speaker on texting and driving. Before I knew it, it was the second to last night of encampment and we had the talent show. The senior girls put on the best performance and looked amazing! Then the next night, our last night, we had a fantastic dance! It was so much fun and ended with yummy desserts and the best slideshow I have ever seen! After that we burned the USY ’11 sign, and tears filled everyone’s eyes. It was even worse the next morning when we had to say goodbye for our last time. This encampment was indescribable and I am so sad it was my last.