Traditions

Tradition is a concept that is commonly practiced here at Camp Solelim. Campers may not be aware of it, however each and every day, their daily routines are infused with the traditions that have been alive since the beginning of this camp. Each morning at mifkad following the Canadian anthem, campers absent-mindedly place their right arms over their hearts and together sing the Judean pledge, “If I forget thee O’ Jerusalem may my right hand forget its cunning, may my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I don’t remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.” Campers file into the chadar each meal, take their seats, say the blessing, and we see the hands raise up and clap above their heads or the index fingers touch their noses. We end a majority of our days in a circle on the basketball courts, linked to the person beside us, singing rad hayom and humming while the madrich of the day recounts what we have done. These are just a few of the every day traditions here at camp. Not to mention Post-Hityashvut, Maccabiah, every single crazy va’ad (or club), shira and rikkud on Friday nights, throwing people in the lake on their birthdays, going up to the Rock on the last Shabbat, our summer themes, and painting a mural to be displayed for years to come. Every year new traditions are formed. Traditions that hope to serve forever in Solelim history. On Saturday evening, one such tradition was introduced. Here is the speech that each and every member of Camp Solelim heard on this legendary evening:

“Camp Solelim of 2012. You sit here confused. But I assure you that after tonight not only will you have clarity, but you will understand that a new era of Camp Solelim is unfolding before your eyes. Back in the early days of Camp Solelim, a tournament used to exist. The pioneers of this camp came from various backgrounds. Many came from the former Soviet Union, others from North and South Africa, and some journeyed from the Middle East. With them they brought traditions, values, and customs that came to define what Camp Solelim is today. What you see here is the formulation of different cultures of diaspora Jews. However, there was one thing that transcended the different cultures. One thing that was familiar to all of the founders. A competition existed long ago. One that all peoples across this globe used to partake in. A tournament. Four teams, Four elements. The winner, given eternal glory. At Camp Solelim, as with everywhere else, people gathered to take part in this tournament. The winners had each of their names engraved into a building that has since been torn down and time has faded those names away.

As you sit here. We are bringing back what has long been lost. Today you are witnessing the creation of a new tournament. Campers and Staff of Camp Solelim 2012, I give you the Solelim Cup."

The campers have been split into four different teams. Each team a representative of one of the four elements of the earth; air, water, fire, and earth. These are not simply teams, but legacies – birthrights – bestowed upon each and every camper. Siblings will be forever paired with siblings, as there is no tie stronger than blood. There will be challenges and competitions throughout this summer as well as those to come. Challenges that test wit, creativity, athletics, intelligence, and teamwork. The winners of said challenges will receive points for their victory that will be displayed on a board kept in a public place. At the end of each summer, the winning team will have their team name etched on a plaque for years to come.

There was an excitement Saturday night, equal to that of electricity that hums through the air. Campers lay anxiously awaiting the coming challenges, intrigued by this new phenomenon that is, The Solelim Cup.