Issue 4 - July 18, 2008 - Gesher Summer Camp

The Gesher Gazette
Scott
Volume 7, Issue 4
July 18, 2008/
Tammuz 15, 5768
Lantzman, Director
(973) 597-3699
Looking Forward
Tell A Joke Day July
21
Wild West Dress Up
Day
Galil Trip: Franklin Institute
Picture
day 2
Yo-Yo Master:
Mark Heyward
Inside Out Day
Negev Trip:
Bowcraft
Amusement Park
July
22
July
23
July
24
July
25
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Ariel Gohar 7/18
Beth Goldberg 7/19
Naome Spilke 7/20
Yocheved Perry 7/21
Kylie Levin 7/22
Maxx Nydick 7/23
Zoe Fleysher 7/24
A Message From the Directors
Today we had to say a sad Shalom to some of our four-week campers but
we look forward to seeing them back again next year. Before they left we gave them
as well as our other campers an absolutely amazing week.
The week started off a little rainy so we had to postpone our Swim-a-Thon
for one day. On Tuesday we not only celebrated the All-Star Baseball Game by
dressing up in our favorite team shirts, but we swam thousands of laps for our 7 th Annual
Swim-a-Thon for Camp Simcha.
We are on our way to once again raising over $20,000, but can only reach
our goal with everyone’s help. The money raised goes directly to providing children
with cancer and terminal illnesses the opportunity to experience for a brief moment
what it’s like to be a “regular” kid and do regular kid activities. Camp Simcha is an
oasis for these children and has proven to be very therapeutic. With all of the financial
strain placed on these families to care for their children day to day, Camp Simcha
does not charge to attend this wonderful program. All funding is donated through a
variety of charity fundraisers, such as our Swim-a-Thon. We support this mitzvah, and
will be collecting money for another two weeks. Please encourage your children to
call relatives and friends and ask for sponsorships, even though the swimming part has
already been completed.
Wednesday our Galil campers were able to get a taste of our travel program,
Masada, when they traveled together to Madison Square Garden for a New
York Liberty intrasquad game. Thursday we all watched in awe as the Frisbee Disc
Dogs flew through the air and showed us wonderful tricks. We ended our week
wearing silly and crazy hats, and being entertained by the Joe Roff Experience’s
superb musical concert.
Next week, Galil has their Franklin Institute trip, we have our second Picture
Day, and on Friday Negev will be going to Bowcraft Amusement Park for their second
trip. It has been an awesome summer so far, and we eagerly look forward to the
start of the second half. Thank you to all those campers and families who have extended.
Gesher would not be the same without you for a few more weeks!
Shabbat Shalom!
Scott & Aly
Great Job
to
Session 1
Bus Cup
Winners:
BUS 10!
ALL STAR STAFF
Kinneret
Deena Beuchler
Brian Heller
Marla Hellner
Felicia Shulman
Ricki Tannenbaum
Negev
Eliot Alter
Jon Glatt
Josh Krieger
Ariella Roth
Shayna Schor
Lilah Zohar
Galil
Perel Kornecki
Zeke Decker
Masada
Estee Katcoff
Gabee London
Specialists
Scott Dichter
Barak Lillian
Yarden Tzur
Amit Yaron
Aquatics
Steve Blum
Rebecca Lando
Shoshana Stoll
Don’t forget to send
back your
Chai Lifeline
Swim-a-Thon
forms!!
2008 Goal: $ 20,000
Current:
$7,500

Page 2
The Gesher Gazette
Negev (1—2)
BUILDING COMMUNITY, ONE FRIENDSHIP AT A TIME. Being a friend
means sharing experiences, expressing empathy, and learning from
others; the bond of friendship strengthens one's personality and enables
him or her to grow. Good friends nurture each other and can
cultivate spiritual, emotional, and intellectual growth in one another. In
our Negev aidah (unit), we are happy to see the friendships growing
in each of our groups. Friends who greet each other each morning as
they come off the bus and share experiences together all day at camp
create a lifetime of memories. This week the friends of Negev shared
together so many activities, but here are some of the ones your child
may not have shared with you: eating our snacks & lunch together;
praying together during morning Tefillot; singing our Negev cheer
together during lunch; helping each other win Mitzvah tickets (the winner
is announced on Fridays during Kabbalat Shabbat); creating in our
Lego room; playing on the playground equipment; and singing the
Birkat HaMazon (grace after meals) together after lunch.
As week four comes to a close, we say "l'hitraot" (see you soon) to our
4-week friends and look forward to greeting our new friends on Monday.
Shabbat Shalom,
Emmy, Noah, Stacey and the Negev Team
Cooking: Morah Feldman & Sara Jungreis
This week back by popular demand…. We made “Shabbat Bread” which most of
the groups ate during lunch. Why do we call it Shabbat Bread Glad you asked.
There is a mitzvah in the Torah for when you make large batches of dough (using 12
or more cups of flour). After making the dough, a fist size of dough is removed and
a special blessing is said thereby making this fist size of dough holy. This fist size of
dough is actually called Challah. During the times of the Beit HaMikdash (the holy
Temple) this dough was given to the priestly families to make their own bread. Today,
since there is no Temple, we no longer give it to these priestly families. We
may not eat this dough or derive any benefit from this dough because it is holy. So
this past week when we took off the Challah we wrapped it in tin foil and baked it
over and over until it was so burned no one would eat it or give it to their pet. You
are then permitted to throw it away. Here are two great options to make Shabbat
Bread at home:
Bread Machine:
2/3 cups water 2 whole eggs
3 ½ tablespoons oil ¾ teaspoon salt
3 ½ cups flour a heaping ¼ cup sugar
2 ¼ teaspoons of yeast
Follow bread machine directions.
Shabbat Bread from scratch: Mix 5 ¾ teaspoons of yeast with 2 ½ cups of warm
water, set aside, into a large mixing bowl add: 6 eggs (be sure to check eggs for
blood spots), 10 tablespoons of oil, 2 tablespoons of salt, 10 cups of flour, 10 tablespoons
of sugar, add yeast and water solution. Mix, adding additional flour if
necessary (we usually added 2 additional ones) and then we removed the challah,
do not knead. Cover and allow to rise for 3 hours, shape and bake at 350° for 20-
30 minutes (depending on the size). Enjoy!
Kinneret (Pre-K—K)
Kinneret, Kinneret how was week four
It was so great, we want to do more!
Kinneret, Kinneret did you have a good time
It was nice to give tzedakah to Chai Lifeline.
Kinneret, Kinneret what did you see
Fabulous dogs jumping to catch their Frisbee!
Kinneret, Kinneret what did you wear
We wore wild, crazy hats on top of our hair!
Kinneret, Kinneret what did you do
We went to cooking, soccer, tennis and kickball
too!
Kinneret, Kinneret what else did you see
Everyone’s favorite baseball and basketball
team jersey!
Kinneret, Kinneret is there anything you want to
say
We have fun at Gesher each and every
day!
Marla, Shelly, Michelle
& the Kinneret Krew!

Page 3
Galil (3—6)
Week four was quite a hit
On baseball day we caught the ball with our mitt
At the Swim-a-thon we raised lots of money
And with our mad hats we all looked really funny
We went to a Liberty basketball game
And wore our favorite players jerseys some in the Hall
of Fame
The first month has come and gone so fast
We build many friendships that we know will last
We say goodbye to our session one campers
and we’ll miss you so
We hope you enjoy the rest of the summer where ever
you may go
Gesher Waterworks
It is hard to believe that we are halfway through camp! What an action-packed
week four we have had at the pool!
Tuesday was our annual swim-a-thon, and our campers swam over 15,000 laps to
raise money for Chai Lifeline and Camp Simcha. To date, we have raised nearly
$8000. If you turned in pledges per lap, you should have received your pledge
sheet back to be able to collect. If you need more pledge sheets, please let us
know, and we will be glad to send them home. Please turn in your money by Friday,
July 25, as prizes will be ordered that day.
You should also have received your child’s week 4 swim report in today’s bus mail.
If you did not receive a report, or you have questions, please contact Jeff directly
at jeff@gesherfun.org, or at 973-597-1115, x1113.
Tarbut: Ayala
Jeff Reiss, Aquatics Director
Miriam Stoll, Asst. Aquatics Director
And the entire Gesher Swim Staff
This week we used fun games to learn about Jewish Holidays. Negev and
Galil played a board game with two groups competing when they landed
on a Jewish holiday. For Passover the children searched for the Afikoman.
For Hannukkah we had a spinning competition pretending to be dreidels
and for Purim we challenged each other in song.
Kinneret made Shana Tovah cards using pictures of places in Israel.
Weekly Parsha D’var Torah: Pinchas
The “3 Weeks” takes on a new meaning this year…
Candle Lighting 8:07 PM
MITZVAH CORNER
Mitzvah of the week- Tzedakah
Hebrew Word of the Day
MONDAY: You can turn off the oven the chicken must be done.
OFF = CHICKEN
TUESDAY: Dr. Seuss wrote a great book about a white horse.
SEUSS = HORSE
WEDNESDAY: My dog does not sleep with his leash on.
SLEEP = LEASH ON
THURSDAY: I can always say yes.
CAN = YES
FRIDAY: I want my daughter to become a doctor but she wants to be a
model.
DAUGHTER = BAT
This coming Sunday begins a 3 week period of national mourning referred
to as the “3 Weeks.” After nearly 830 years, the edifice which stood on a
Jerusalem hill, the Holy Temple, was tragically destroyed. It wasn’t just another
building; it also served as the point of contact between heaven and
earth. Nearly 2/3 of all mitzvot (commandments) are contingent upon it’s
existence. The 17 th day of Tammuz marked the beginning of this destruction
as the Temple walls were breached. Many have the custom of not eating/drinking
that day, as well as other practices that culminate with the observance
of Tisha B’av (9 th day of Av).
Many people have difficulty feeling really sad. After all, those events took
place nearly 2000 years ago. We live in the comforts of our wonderful
country. How can we really relate
For me, this year’s “3 week period” takes on additional meaning. The prisoner
swap that Israel completed this week marked the end of a painful
chapter in the history of that country. It was not only painful for those families
of missing soldiers, but in many ways, for all of us- for we are One People—Am
Echad. Our prayers and thoughts are always with you. It also reinforces
to the entire world that one of our core values is the preservation of
life. We, as a people, will do anything to protect this objective- even when
at times it can be very painful.
Please take a moment or two this Sunday, as we begin the “3 Weeks,” to
reflect on the past as well as the present.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Richard Kirsch

Page 4
Sports: Beth
This week has been a turning point in the Sports Program.
Everyone has really been coming along and learning the mechanics
of each sport. The Kinneret campers have been working
on side passes in Soccer. They are now using the sides of
their feet to get the ball down the field. Our Negev campers
have really learned how to follow through in their kicks in
kickball and scored a ton of touchdowns in Football! Galil has
had a new addition to our lineup, Whiffel Ball and Apache
Relay. The campers are having a great time. Our teamwork is
getting better and better and we are really learning how to
have wonderful sportsmanship. Keep up the good work kids!
Masada: Justin
Rikud: Alexa
Rikud is always the best time of the day. Your children practice
their balance and technique in dance class, a fun environment
with rock in’ music. We stretch and warm-up daily
before going across the floor, adding on to a combination or
playing freeze dance. I see so much growth, as they learn
new steps and also step outside of their individual comfort
zones. I can tell their confidence is building every day that
they try something new. It has been a pleasure so far to
watch the kids interact with one another, help each other and
build skills that will assist them in many different areas of
camp life and life in general.
Our week began with a thrilling and delicious trip to
Hershey Park. We rode the roller coasters, cooled off in
the water park, and of course ate plenty of chocolate!
The fun continued with a visit to Amish Country, where we
experienced a horse and buggy ride.
Back at home, we joined Galil on a trip to a New
York Liberty scrimmage.
We're looking forward to our trips to Broadway and
the Jersey Shore next week, but first we must say goodbye
to our four-week campers. See you next summer!
Ropes: Debbie Cirkus
Gesher kids love ropes! Our older children have had a
great time climbing the wall, using the zip line and walking a
multi vine traverse. While wearing protective gear, including
a harness with an attached rope, they walk across the cable
suspended between two stations about 25’ high. If anyone is
tentative we encourage them to overcome their fears even if
it means only climbing a short distance. Others enjoy the
thrill of the “Flying Squirrel”. Every group is introduced to a
new and fun adventure each week, such as “Swing like Tarzan”
or going through the Spider Web pretending we’re
flies. We also solve problems as a team to accomplish tasks.
Next week we look forward to flying on the trapeze!
We could not have as much fun if it were not for the assistance
of Barak, Yarden, Lindsay, and Amit.

Page 5
Games
MAZE
HELP THE BASEBALL PLAYER THROUGH THE CAP SHAPED MAZE
TO FIND HIS BASEBALL FOR YOUR FAVORITE BASEBALL TEAM
DRESS UP DAY
WORD SEARCH
Words appear forwards and diagonally.
Z D S C P N T X E S G E E S R
Y O E N F M F A V O R T I T E
E G L H A A S E S E E E F T P
R S W T E D S I A F J O R S Y
H H F C E H P P T R M H V C E
M O R T G A L I L T R I P F A
S W I M A T H O N I L E C P J
B A S K E T B A L L T E A M D
O J B D R E S S U P D A Y T M
E E E F I R S T S E S S I O N
L T E E Y S H A L O M T I A S
G N U S E D I S N E Y R F D V
B A S E B A L L T E A M H C G
U A S Z N Y L I B E R T Y N C
Q I T C M R F E C N D G I H A
SWIMATHON,
FAVORITE, BASEBALLTEAM,
BASKETBALLTEAM, DRESSUPDAY
GALILTRIP, NYLIBERTY
DISNEY, FRISBEE, DOGSHOW
MADHATTERSDAY,
SHALOM, FIRSTSESSION

A Bus 15 Disney Fairy Tale
Bus 15 dedicates this story to all of the staff at the Gesher Summer Program,
including “King of Summer,” Scott.
By Mike Warman and Jessica Lakritz
Once upon a time…
There was a magical kingdom known as Gesher. It was a land of nothing but fun and adventure. All of its citizens were
happy.
The Kingdom was ruled by an elite group. They were identified by being the only ones brave enough to wear a black
shirt in the hot sun.
This group was ruled by two great leaders: Scott, King of the Summer and Aly, the Queen. Together they made Gesher a
fabulous place to be. The only catch was that it was only open from June to August.
Every June, the elite group would gather and summon the special 16 carriages to transport their citizens. Every carriage
was yellow, but they were all different and unique. Some were big and some were small, some played games, some sang songs.
Each of the 16 carriages was special in their own way.
board!
Although each bus was unique, Carriage 15 was the only one with a secret… They had a long lost prince and princess on
The prince, Mike, was incredibly handsome and smart. He loved making the children laugh.
The princess, Jessica, was extremely pretty and endlessly wise. She loved to have fun with the children. Together they made an
awesome carriage – counselor team.
One day, the King decided to make the entering of his realm a game. He began to quiz the carriages and judge them on
their songs and decorations. Every bus tried their hardest to win including bus 15.
Until one day the king declared the day to be themed as “Disney.” The Prince and Princess who both held a special place in their
hearts for Disney, decided to come dressed in their royal formal attire. When the King saw this he was so shocked that he awarded
Bus 15 with a special Royal Honor. Both the Prince’s and Princess’ names were recorded on a great plaque. They were then remembered
for all time.
And the kids received ice cream! And they all lived happily ever after.
The End

Ropes: Top of the Hard Wall Club
This week these campers have successfully
climbed to the top of the Hard Wall:
Olivia Butler
Paul Grad
Ashley Miller
Julia Simon
Newspaper Chug:
Congratulations!
Shira Kalet G4B
I did a survey of campers and asked them questions about Gesher. For
some of them this is their first summer, and others have been going for as
many as five. Some of their favorite activities are archery, go karts, swimming,
cooking, newspaper, overnights and some people couldn’t decide
and said they like everything. People agreed that their favorite counselors
are funny, nice, kind, and fun to be around. Almost everybody said that
their favorite lunch at Gesher is pizza/pizza bagels.
Hannah Strum (G4B) & Beth Goldberg (G3A) went to investigate Archery:
Do you like Archery Josh said yes.
Have you tried Archery before Stephanie said yes.
How many bulls’ eyes’ have you gotten Sara answered 516.
Is archery your favorite activity Stephen said yes.
Joke of the Day:
Monday: Why do bees have sticky hair
Because they use honey combs
Tuesday: What kind of horse likes to be ridden at night
A Nightmare
Wednesday: Why was the picture sent to jail
It was framed
Thursday: What is the biggest pencil in the world
Pennsyl - vania
Friday: What has teeth that doesn’t bite
A Comb
Religious School Teacher
Positions Available
Two area religious schools (Summit and Basking Ridge)
are currently seeking teachers for their programs.
If you are interested or know somebody that is, please e-
mail Scott at the Gesher office and he will pass along your
info.
Zach (B3B) and Ariel Nayman (B3B) went to investigate Go Karts :
The karts went by so fast they did not get the drivers’ name:
Do you like Go Karts Yes I love Go Karts. Is it fun Yes
Why do you like it Because it is fun to race.
Is this your favorite activity It is one of my favorites.
Do you like your job Steve the specialist in charge of Go Karts said yes,
very much!
110 South Orange Avenue
Livingston, NJ 07039
Ph: (973) 597-3699
Fx: (973) 597-3362
Email: info@gesherfun.org
Web: www.gesherfun.org