Abie Rotenberg’s “Joe Dimaggio’s Card” has been used in every single camp for the alma mater. It’s always good
What works best are songs that start slow and then get faster, songs like Carlebach’s “Simchah Le’artzecha” or the old camp favorite, “Ivdu es Hashem Besimchah.” It starts with someone calling “Ivdu,” someone else responding slowly, and then it gathers steam. By the time the song gets quicker, the kids are jumping out of the building.
“Yom Shabbason,” with the camp minhag to go very slow at certain parts, elongating the words. And “Tzur Mishelo,” of course. It gets to the high part and the kids are jumping on those benches, seeming like they’ll break them. But in all my years, they’ve never managed even one.
“Bircas Habanim,” the one sung by Ohad. Beautiful song. And speaking of kumzitzes, I’ll share an eitzah that I’ve given to many camps: Shalosh Seudos is a great time for a kumzitz. I’ve been in this for years, and I know how Shabbos is a long day in camp, without much for the kids to do. By the time you get to Shalosh Seudos, you need to think carefully about your programming, or there’ll be Fruit Loops flying through the air. A great kumzitz calms everyone down.
That was 40 years ago. Avraham Fried had just come out with his first tape, produced by Sheya Mendlowitz. Sheya and I were roommates and co-head counselors in Camp Sdei Chemed, and he was trying to sell the new tape. I loved all the songs, but the biggest hit on the album was “Keil Hahodaos,” which somehow has made a comeback.
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