Camp Update

Monday 28th July	After a brief delay, Nofim arrived at 7pm! Watch this space for more updates!
Monday 28th July	A thunderstorm did little to dampen Nofim's spirits and the introductory activities went well.
Tuesday 29th July	Nofim Aleph have begun Camp with icebreakers, get-to-know-you games and an introduction to their theme. An activity about the stetl saw madrichim (leaders) dressed as characters from Fiddler On The Roof, complete with authentic accents. Tonight they will have a Secret Agents Wide Game which promises intrigue, espionage, action and adventure. The name's Aleph, Nofim Aleph!! Click here for some photos from today's activities!
Wednesday 30th July	Nofim Aleph have gone to a charming French market for the day. They will have a chance to immerse themselves in French culture and maybe even do some shopping! A picnic lunch will round off the trip. Bon appetit!!
Thursday 31st July	Nofim Aleph have the site to themselves as Nofim Bet have gone on a trip. They have been doing outdoor activities such as Zip Lining and High Ropes Trapeze, Orienteering and outdoor challenges. Later on they have a peula (programme) about haskalah (enlightenment) and assimilation, and will be learning songs for Shabbat. The evening will be rounded off with a camp bonfire - marshmallows at the ready!! Even more photos have been added to the gallery - check it out!
Friday 1st August(updated on Sunday 3rd)	Nofim Aleph prepared for a restful Shabbat with various chugim (activities). They made the Cheder Ochel (dining room) sparkle with fantastic decorations including the longest paper chain ever seen in Noam! The art room was entirely dedicated to making the whole Chateau beautiful for Shabbat, and the creativity and talent of Noam chanichim (participants) and madrichim (leaders) really shone. Other groups prepared songs, dances and skits to entertain the group before the Friday night service. Shabbat dinner saw all 250 people on site eating together in the same room - ruach (spirit) was great and the Chateau and the hills around resounded with the songs of Shabbat.
Shabbat 2nd August (updated on Sunday 3rd)	Shabbat was pleasant and peaceful, with a largely peer-led service which saw Nofim participants leading their entire camp in prayer. A massive lunch set people up nicely for a lazy afternoon, punctuated only by football, a table tennis tournament, singing, story-telling and of course the now-traditional Shabbat rain! Later on Nofim Aleph had a programme about modern Israel before a spiritual Havdalah brought Shabbat to an end. A special late programme saw a variety of board games writ large throughout the Chateau, with giant chess, Monopoly, musical chairs, and more. The cinema room was transformed into a disco for the end of the evening before Nofim Aleph went to bed - very quietly!!!
Sunday 3rd August	Today Nofim Aleph are challenging themselves to engage with gender preconceptions, roles and stereotypes in a round of activities which are sure to generate debate and discussion. Is it a man's world, and what is a 21st century teenager to do about inequality? After lunch they are looking at their own roles in society and how they can make a difference to people in need. Tonight's activity is a relaxed social which will wind down the day.
Monday 4th August	Nofim Aleph have had a packed day of activities including Zip Wire, Trapeze, Orienteering and Archery. They also had a Noam activity entitled "Heal the World" which saw recycling and green living taken to the max. Could they create a Camp day with only sustainable resources? Kvutsa (small group) time gave the chanichim (participants) a chance to reflect on the first week of Camp and look forward to the second week which began today. Later on they have Film Night - the premiere of a movie not to be missed, on the big screen in the Chateau's dedicated Cinema Room!
Tuesday 5th August	Nofim Aleph have the day out at Chateau de Fontainebleau today. They will have time to explore the charming town and sample the local patisserie! Later they will eat lunch in the beautiful Chateau grounds and have a chance to wander around the pleasant environs. The evening activity was a camp-wide Murder Mystery! The caretaker of the Chateau disappeared - but who was the murderer? Was it the Mayor, noted for corruption? Or his hired muscle? Or was it the hotel owner, who had their own mysterious connection to the Chateau? Could it have been the doctor? The casino owner? Surely it wasn't the butler?! Chanichim (participants) scoured the site for clues and used persuasion, bribery and wit to tease information from the suspects.
Wednesday 6th August	Nofim Aleph today have Israel Day run by the Masorti Shlicha (Emissary) from Israel, the aptly named Reli Israeli. A whole day of Israel activities includes food, culture, music, a show in the evening, a quiz, and a programme about Jerusalem which will see the site transformed into areas of the city. Chanichim (participants) will travel around trying to get votes for their candidate in a mock Mayoral election. A special themed lunch and a barbeque for dinner will add to the day.
Thursday 7th August	Nofim Aleph are in the beautiful town of Troyes for the day. Historical home of some of France's finest wines, a merchant town where Jews settled and the place where Rashi lived and wrote, Troyes is a fantastic place to explore, soak up the French atmosphere and immerse themselves in Rashi's world. The trip is led by Rabbi Chaim Weiner, the Masorti expert on the Jews of Europe.
Friday 8th August (updated 10th)	Nofim are preparing for Shabbat which should be a restful and relaxing day to finish an exciting week. The Chateau and the grounds will be cleared and decorated to look fantastic for Shabbat. Groups will make decorations including posters, place mats, planning drama sketches, songs, poems, and stories. Everyone will dress up in their best Shabbat clothes and welcome Shabbat with a moving service and a dinner filled with food and ruach (spirit). Later on there will be a fun Oneg Shabbat. Tomorrow there will be a Torah service and a great Shabbat lunch. The afternoon is full of activities including sports and relaxing games and songs.
Shabbat 9th August (updated 10th)	A restful Shabbat saw varied activities including the traditional Camp football match and a Harry Potter themed storytelling session. Havdallah was a spiritual experience.
Sunday 10th August	Today is Tisha B'Av so the mood is more sombre. Programming will look at the destruction of the Temples and events in Jewish history.