Just some pictures of the announcement of the winners by the pool. Followed immediately by staff swim!!
Even More BOG War!!
More BOG War!!
cginewyorkWe had a smashing BOG War here in Gan Yisrael NY, and now that it’s all over, we’ll do a quick summary.
Breakout, Teams, Generals, Scavengers, Mishanyos Baal Peh, Theme Speeches, Skits, Songs, Plays, Winners!
What, more? Okay, okay.
After breakout (I knew it the WHOLE time!) the campers were split into 3 teams for Cholent War! The teams were Potatoes, Beans, and Meat – wait, that wasn’t it. Chitas War!! Yeah, now I remember. The teams were Chumash, Tehillim, and Tanya. No really, that’s what they were. What, I make one joke and now you don’t believe me any more? Fine, be like that! The Generals and Lt. Generals were announced as follows:
For the team of Chumash, General Levi Pekar and Lt. General Berel Kesselman
For the team of Tehillim, General Eli Loebenstein and Lt. General Sholom Brook
For the team of Tanya, General Mendel (Beso) Blesofsky and Lt. General Moshe Denburg
Then they all gave speeches. I LOVE speeches! What, you don’t? What’s wrong with you?
After that there was Mincha, Dinner, and then, scanvengers! There were some crazy scenes there, like Jewish Star and the DMV. It was all very funny and after 6 amazing scavengers we davened Maariv and went to bed.
Next day, we got up extra early to learn Mishnayos Baal Peh because there was lot’s of candy for those who did quadruple quota – just kidding! See, I got you again! The real reason is that camp was very short on Fresh AirTM.
Then we went to breakfast after which there were Theme Speeches (videos coming soon!). Then it was back to the Shul for Halacha Skits. Campers were taught the amazing and inspiring and emotional and… ok I’m getting carried away… theme songs! After Mincha, everyone piled back into the Shul for the plays. They were a real exciting bunch, taking us from the War of 1812 to 1940’s underworld, to The Very Scary Black Magic Cult That’s Really Scary…. and Scary. With Shadows.
The next by the swimming pool, no one moved and no one stirred… as the Judges announced the WINNING TEAM OF TANYA!!! I MEAN CHUMASH!!! No really, it was Chumash. Followed immediately by Staff Swim.
Picture of the Day: Staff Prepare for an Awesome BOG War!!
Pictures of BOG War Day!
Thursday was an exciting day for everyone, with Halacha Skits, Theme Speeches, and Team Songs. Here are some pictures!
BOG WAR!
Today seemed like a regular day in camp with all the schedules showing nothing out of the norm, so why did the staff seem so busy? The mystery was revealed after the 3rd activity was switched for a KIWI all-star game. Then the head counselors made an announcement about a missing Walkie-Talkie or something, the culprit was non-other than BOG WAR!
The theme for this year’s Bog War is “CHITAS WAR”
After splitting up the teams and meeting our Lt. generals taught us our awesome team chants, it was time for us to meet our generals. Starting off with General Levi (Pekar) telling us about the importance of Chumash. Next the general for the team of Tehilim – General Eli (Lowbenstein) – explained the importance and the power of Tehilim. Lastly but definitely not least the general from the team of Tanya – Beso a.k.a. Mendel (Blesofsky) explained the importance of Tanya.
We started off with a smashing Mincha and continued with immense energy Supper and then headed to the shul for the best scavengers (skits) ever! After six crazy scavengers, the campers headed up to the hill for bed, excited for another day of BOG WAR!!!
(Contrary to popular belief, BOG actually stands for Brown, Red, and Gray, not Blue, Orange, and Green.)
Click here for more pictures!BMD – Fire and Ice!!!
By Yehuda “No ‘H'” Fenton
This has been an incredible 24 hours here at BMD! Beginning right after breakfast, we rushed off to the buses for an amazing trip. Ahead of us lay skating, bonfires and a bivouac. Just further proof of how unmitigatedly awesome BMD is.
After an exciting bus ride, we arrived at an incredible ice-skating rink. We had just enough time to stop for lunch and then we hit the ice. Gliding along on professional figure skating skates, the bochurim careened around corners at breakneck speeds, skidding to a halt with perfect hockey stops. They skated to chassidishe music, some of the campers playing with a hockey puck, others merely weaving around the other skaters. It was a wonderful beginning to the bivouac.
We then headed over to the camp grounds. After Mincha, BMD was split into two camps and the collection of wood began. Traversing the forest, the campers returned with twigs, brush, and branches and piles of wood quickly accumulated. After the obligatory tree was brought to the campsite, construction of the bonfire began. Teams of staff worked tirelessly until both campsites had massive pyres built.
Before the fires could be lit, the bochurim were led to an exquisite barbeque, with hotdogs and chicken cutlets. After the meal was done, we all headed back to the campsite to daven maariv. Once we davened it was time to light the bonfires.
Although we can’t confirm whether or not the fires were lit with a single match or not, we can guarantee that within minutes two enormous conflagrations lit the night sky. With the roaring fires ablaze (and all the campers at a safe distance) everyone sat back to roast marshmallows, sing niggunim, and listen to stories of the Baal Shem Tov late into the night.
The next morning we awoke to mikva in a nearby river, an inspiring shachris under the open sky, and a lavish breakfast to rejuvenate from the trip. After breakfast, it was time to head back, ready for more phenomenal times at BMD.
