Dearest Bogrim Two Thousand and Seventeen, Two years ago, I heard a group of campers from Sollelim singing defiantly:
!לא אתבגר Lo Et-ba-ger! (I won’t grow up!)
The enthusiasm and gusto made me feel like I was flying right next to them and Peter Pan in Neverland. Now, almost two years later, those campers, you all, have become בוגרים (Bogrim), which comes from the same Hebrew root as אתבגר (etbager, grow up). That doesn’t mean that you’re “grown-ups,” exactly (Heaven forbid!), but it does mean that you’ve collectively grown to take on a new role in camp. I have no doubt that you will perform the new role with the same fearlessness and fun that you brought to Neverland.
My name is Lev and I am tickled pink to be your Rosh Aidah this summer. This will be my 10th summer at Ramah Wisconsin. When I’m not in Conover, I spend my time trying to figure out what the heck this means:
“xφ → $xφ
And what the heck this means:
Die sinnliche Gewißheit; oder das Diese und das Meinen.
In other words, I’m a junior in college studying Philosophy. (And seriously, if you can help me figure out what those symbols mean, please let me know.) In addition to taking classes, I like talking about politics, cooking food for my friends, playing tennis with other beginners, and exploring New Haven on my bike. But enough about me, and more about your upcoming summer…
Whether this is your fifth summer or your first, Bogrim will be a real blast. This will be your first summer in Chadar Ochel Bet, which you’ll share with Machon and Tikvah. On top of the fun you’ll have preparing for your machazemer and zimriyah, you will also be presented with a number of new opportunities. In your swimming classes you will choreograph synchronized pieces for a synchronized swimming competition at the end of the summer. In addition, we will have a lot of fun during Shavua Bogrim. We have a whole week of fun dedicated to our Aidah! A variety of artists and professionals will visit camp during this week. You will have the chance to choose a professional to work with intensively on a project each day. At the end of the week, you will come away with something to share with the rest of your Aidah and the greater camp community. These are just a few of the fun things in store for this summer!
I wish you the best of luck in finishing the adventure that is 8th grade. Before you know it, you’ll be getting off the buses at camp. I know that this summer will be fantastic because of you, and the creativity and energy that you’ll bring.
Looking forward, Lev
