Afilu Hen (Even These) #YetzirahBeRamah

A handwritten chart with three columns labeled FEEL, THINK, and RISE. Each column contains text about feelings regarding a sister going to camp, thoughts about missing her, and plans to stay busy and happy.

“Afilu hen bihlal briyato” (Even these G-d meant to create)

– Genesis Rabbah 10:7

This week at Mahaneh Ramah the hanihim (campers) explored the idea that G-d created everything for a reason. After playing several games to activate our thinking, each hanih (camper) went on a scavenger hunt through camp, looking for things G-d created for a specific purpose, such as something G-d created that would provide shade or a place to rest.

Two young girls sit on the floor facing each other, smiling and laughing. One wears a cap, striped shirt, and shorts; the other wears glasses, a striped shirt, and shorts. They appear to be enjoying a friendly conversation. Several young children wearing colorful clothes and hats sit on the floor. Two boys in the foreground look up, one pointing at something. Others are seated nearby, some with backs turned. Two young children sit on the grass outdoors, each holding a sheet of paper and drawing or writing with markers. Other children’s legs are visible nearby, suggesting a group activity. Two children sit on grass, looking at a sheet of paper with handwritten notes. One child points at the paper while the other watches. Both kids wear shorts, t-shirts, and baseball caps. It appears to be a sunny day. A boy in a red shirt writes on a clipboard with one leg propped against a tree on a wooded trail. Another child wearing a pink shirt and dark cap stands in the background, also holding a clipboard.

Nitzanim created their own scavenger hunt and traded with their friends. They also created one to share with you – post your answers and let us know what you think!

A handwritten poster titled Nitzanim Scavenger Hunt lists ten items to find around camp, such as something edible, used for camouflage, heat, making noise, fidgeting, resting, creativity, drinking, and sparking imagination.

Each eidah (age group) also discussed how seeing something that either G-d created or we created in partnership with G-d can make us feel. We read two stories that explained how Adam and Eve might have felt the first night in the Garden of Eden. We used Adam and Eve’s fear of the darkness and discovery that G-d created night for a reason as a jumping off point for our conversations. In Shorashim, each hanih shared something G-d created that made them sad and something that made them happy during a turn and talk. We practiced acting out our sad and happy feelings.

A group of young children sit cross-legged on a concrete floor indoors, smiling and making playful gestures, with trees visible outside in the background. Four young girls sit on a concrete floor under a shelter, smiling at the camera. They are surrounded by green trees and gravel outside, and all appear to be enjoying a day outdoors.

Using the thinking routing Feel-Think-Rise, the hanihim (campers) in Garinim and Nitzanim wrote and illustrated their fears as well as how they can overcome them. Check out the thinking routine and some of the thoughtful responses below!

A chart with three columns labeled FEEL, THINK, and RISE. Each column has prompts written in colorful marker for students to reflect, write, and draw about their feelings and ways to overcome them. A hand-drawn comic with three panels shows characters talking. Top: a figure with a book says, Bring my phone with me where ever I go. Middle: two figures, one says, Soon we will have to learn to survive on our own. Bottom: a house and a person with being lost and guilt, fear.        

 

 

 






Categories: Garinim, Nitzanim, Shorashim, Yahadut
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