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Diller Teen Fellows Summer Seminar - Cleveland
July 23rd, 2007
Normally, I do not voluntarily sing spirit songs at the onset of Shabbat.
Normally, I do not wake up early to do a personal “tefillah”/prayer overlooking
Mitzpeh Ramon. I have a mental list of things I usually don’t do, but as this
trip progresses, this list noticeably dwindles.
Shabbat preparations started mid-Friday afternoon, and it seemed as if new
people kept joining the trip. This, in fact, was not true; I just didn’t
recognize these clean, freshened-up, young adults after only being with them in
the sweaty, muddy desert for the past few days of the trip.
Our group of Clevelanders joined with the “Kehilot” from Baltimore and Detroit
for songs and cheers in “pre-Ka,” a phrase short for “pre-Kabbalat Shabbat.”
Although we had already done some bond-building and ice breakers, these spirit
activities served as extraordinary bonding experiences.
After Kabbalat Shabbat, we split into the separate services with our options
ranging from Orthodox to Conservative to guided meditation to more. I am not
Orthodox, and I rarely ever attend Orthodox services, especially when a
Conservative option is available, but I was inspired by this fantastic
experience to not only help form a minyan, but also to take a step out of
my comfort box.
Following services, we were treated to a delicious Shabbat meal of soup, white
rice and chicken. The light and merry mood continued as I told a friend from
Detroit that the Indians would soon overtake the Tigers for first place and
reminded him of the Cavs triumph over his beloved Pistons in the conference
finals.
The half-an-hour following dinner was filled with Hebrew and traditional songs
in an outdoor amphitheater under the stars. Even people who traditionally stay
away from the sing-song action opened up for a truly enjoyable evening of
“ruach” [spirit].
Saturday morning provided several options for all of us on the trip. For some
people, it allotted an opportunity to attend a Sephardic synagogue for services,
and for the majority, an opportunity to sleep until 10:00 a.m.
On the whole, Shabbat was what we call “chill.” We had free time to spend with
each other or utilize to catch up on desert-deprived sleep. Some of the guys and
a few girls had a nice game of football which turned into “sit under the tree”
time on account of the heat.
After Shabbat ended with a participant-led Havdalah, we were treated to a
showing of the movie “Miracle.”
As a final note to all Jewish mothers, I can assure you that your kids are
eating a lot and putting on sunscreen.
- Brad Lander
************
The desert seemed endless. I still had many miles to go, and I had already run
out of water. I felt the thirst clinging to my throat, croaking like a turtle
with every step I took. Every movement was more painful than the last, harder
and more challenging. Suddenly, I couldn’t take the lack of water any more and I
fell to the ground.
As I was lying there, I thought I would never make it out alive. My journey had
failed. Suddenly, I heard a voice.
“You didn’t fail my son.” I looked up and it was my great-grandfather who had
passed away more than a decade ago. I wasn’t able to say a word. The old man
smiled and said, “My son, you must go on your journey – it isn’t over yet.”
I still couldn’t talk, but I thought, “How could I continue without any water?”
My great grandfather responded as if he could read my thoughts. “Use your heart,
and you will find it.” I had to go on, but I couldn’t get up. The old man gave
me his hand and lifted me up. “Find the power to continue this important journey
in yourself,” the old man said. I got up. I walked around and saw big red
mountains and vast sees of sand. The sun was hot as ever.
I looked around for my great grandfather but he was nowhere to be found, as if
he was never there. Suddenly, I saw something that was neither rock nor sand. I
moved closer and saw that it was a well. I filled my mouth. As I filled my mouth
with the clear, delicate liquid, I found the strength to go on.
- Eyal Hashkes
**************
Desert at Night
Angels from above twinkle from light years away
They cast a glow onto the tentative earth
A natural light perceived in awe
Each thought, each wish, every thought can be heard
Through the messenger of earth and sky
The wind blows soothingly, rocking you to sleep
As the crickets chirp a melodic lullaby
As darkness encompasses all thoughts, all worries, and all dreams
Those shining warriors are ingrained in thought
Angels from above watch as you sleep
They are the guardians, the stars of the night
- Rachel Edelman
**************
Water Haiku
Sun meshed with water
Prism of color shines through
Seconds of beauty
- Rachel Edelman
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