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Ramah Day Camp Greater DC presents…

Zimkudiyah 2022

Kavod La Teva

כבוד לטבע

Respect Nature

Written and Directed by Naomi Gerstenblith, Curtain Up Creative LLC

ABOUT THIS YEAR'S ZIMKUDIYAH

This year our theme is Ahavat Ha’adamah, love of the earth. Campers have been learning about this value during Yahadut and in our daily camp activities such as Teva (nature), Omanut (art), and Mada (science).

This year's Zimkudiyah is a celebration of our theme. In our musical production called, Kavod La Teva/ Respect Nature we follow a group of Ramah campers who visit the fictional Camp Ninveh. The name of the camp, "Ninveh" alludes to the biblical city of sinners in the story of Jonah and the whale. At Camp Ninveh, campers are found littering, not recycling, and don’t understand the concepts of a mitzvah or of Shabbat. Ramah campers gladly teach them how to be good citizens of the earth, how to show appreciation for all living things, and to care for the environment.

The Ramah campers teach these lessons through joyful songs and dances! You may recognize some familiar tunes although the lyrics have been changed to fit our theme. We have included the lyrics to all of the songs so that you can better follow along. See below and enjoy!

A Note From Rabbi Jill

Dear Families,

We are so excited to come together once again for our Zimkudiyah tradition. Our last performance was in 2019 at camp. We decided to add some new features to our Zimkudiyah as we Rebooted for 2022. First, this year we are connecting the show with our summer theme. Our hope is that this performance will carry the value from camp into your homes for conversation on how your family can work together to live the value of Ahavat Ha’Adamah year round.

Second, we moved the Zimkudiyah from camp to the JDS Upper School. This was a difficult decision as we LOVE to show off our amazing camp. At the same time, we know that camp is the community and JDS provides a better sound system and mitigated the risk of cancelling due to weather.

I am grateful to our campers and staff for putting their hearts into this event. We are also so thankful to Naomi and her team for working with us and making this a fun and positive experience for everyone.

Finally, thank you to all of you for trusting us with your children and enabling this to be a celebration of our sacred and unique Ramah community.

Enjoy the show,

Rabbi Jill

SONG 1: COLORS OF THE WIND (entering 3rd Etzim)

You think you own whatever land you play on

But earth is not just something you can claim

We must respect and give kavod to teva

Because all the land belongs just to Hashem

The land of Israel rich with vegetation

The olive tree, the sabra and rimon

We harvest and respect the agriculture

Even from afar, Yisrael’s our home

Have you ever held the lulav, in your sukkah

Or smelled the etrog’s fragrance oh so strong

It’s the natural elements that surround us

And to disrespect the teva would be wrong

We will praise hashem, please hear our song

Come run thru the sands of the Negev

Come taste the sweet tamarim from the earth

Come roll in all the riches all around you

And for once you must appreciate their worth

We pray for geshem every season

The olive tree, the sabra are our friends

And if you ever needed a good reason

We’re connected in a loop that never ends

How high is the Jerusalem etz

If you cut it down, then you must replace

And you think about the lulav in your sukkah

And smell the etrog’s fragrance oh so strong

We honor the natural elements that surround us

And to disrespect the teva would be wrong

True this is your camp but still

You must give kavod until

Forever, respect the teva, yes we will

HEBREW SONG 1: MY LAND OF ISRAEL ארץ ישראל שלי

(Anafim and Shorashim- Shaar groups)

ארץ ישראל שלי יפה וגם פורחת

מי בנה ומי נטע?

כולנו ביחד!

אני בניתי בית בארץ ישראל

אז יש לנו ארץ

ויש לנו בית בארץ ישראל

ארץ ישראל שלי יפה וגם פורחת

מי בנה ומי נטע?

כולנו ביחד!

אני נטעתי עץ בארץ ישראל -

אז יש לנו ארץ,

ויש לנו בית,

ויש לנו עץ בארץ ישראל.

ארץ ישראל שלי יפה וגם פורחת

מי בנה ומי נטע?

כולנו ביחד!

אני סללתי כביש בארץ ישראל -

אז יש לנו ארץ,

ויש לנו בית,

ויש לנו עץ,

ויש לנו כביש בארץ ישראל.

ארץ ישראל שלי יפה וגם פורחת

מי בנה ומי נטע?

כולנו ביחד!

אני בניתי גשר בארץ ישראל -

אז יש לנו ארץ,

ויש לנו בית,

ויש לנו עץ,

ויש לנו כביש,

ויש לנו גשר בארץ ישראל.

ארץ ישראל שלי יפה וגם פורחת

מי בנה ומי נטע?

כולנו ביחד!

אני חיברתי שיר בארץ ישראל -

אז יש לנו ארץ,

ויש לנו בית,

ויש לנו עץ,

ויש לנו כביש,

ויש לנו גשר,

ויש לנו שיר על ארץ ישראל

My Israel is pretty and is flourishing

Who built it, and who planted trees?

All of us together!

I built a house, in Eretz Yisrael

So we have a country

And we have a house, in the land of Israel.

I planted a tree, in Eretz Yisrael –

And we have a tree, in the land of Israel.

I paved a road, in Eretz Yisrael –

And we have a road, in the land of Israel!

I built a bridge, In Eretz Yisrael –

And we have a bridge, in the land of Israel!

I wrote a song, in the Eretz Yisrael -

So we have a country

And we have a house,

And we have a tree,

And we have a road,

And we have a bridge,

And we have a song to the land of Israel!

SONG 2: HONOR THE SEA/ UNDER THE SEA

(entering 2nd Negev)

We have to respect the water

The rivers, the sea, and lake

You think you can take for granted

But that is a big mistake

Just honor the world around you

The water for us to drink

We know just what we should do

It’s time that you stop to think

Honor the sea, honor the sea

We’ve got the spirit

And you should hear it

Take it from me

We love the ocean and the sand

And so we must take a stand

All your devotion, put into motion

Honor the sea

Protect all the fish and creatures

As off through the waves they roll

We can’t just pollute the oceans

Pollution will take its toll

But yes, we do have the power

To improve our fate

We’ll make the water cleaner

Hurry no time to wait

Honor the sea, honor the sea

Protect the dagim

Down in the mayim

Take it from me

We love the ocean and the sand

and so we must take a stand

all your devotion put into motion

honor the sea

Honor the sea

Protect the dagim

down in the mayim

Take it from me

We love the ocean and the sand

and so we must take a stand

We've got the spirit

and you should hear it

Honor the sea!

SONG 3: SHOMREI CHAYOT/ HAKUNA MATATA

(entering 1st Devorim and Hatulim)

Shomrei chayot

What a beautiful phrase

Shomrei chayot

Ain’t no passing craze

It means we’re guardians for the rest of our days

Let the animals be

It’s our philosophy

Shomrei chayot

Group 1: Why, whether lions or the warthog

Group 2: Yes even the warthog

Group 1: very nice

Group 2: thanks

Group 1: We respect all living creatures, that is the deal

Group 2: We share our land with them, that’s how we feel

Group 1: And we’re humane in every way

Group 2: and we’ll continue to hope and pray

Group 1: for harmony

Group 2: with every species

Counselor 1: and even in kashrut

Counselor 2: Hey, not in front of the kids

Counselor 1: Oy slicha!

Shomrei chayot

What a beautiful phrase

Shomrei chayot

Ain’t no passing craze

It means we’re guardians for the rest of our days

Let the animals be

It’s our philosophy

Shomrei chayot

SONG 4: TREE SONG by Debbie Friedman

(entering K Shorashim)

Let’s dig a hole

Let’s dig a hole and plant a seed

Let’s water, it oh let’s water it

When it is Tu Bishvat

Look at the sprouts

Look at the sprouts they’re coming up

Let’s water them, oh let’s water them

When it is Tu Bishvat

Trees are blowing in the wind, they’re blowing

Trees are blowing in the wind woosh

Trees are blowing in the wind, they’re blowing

Trees are blowing in the wind

Look at the leaves,

Look at the leaves they’re growing now

Let’s water them, oh let’s water them

When it is Tu Bishvat

Look at the trunk

The trunk is so much bigger now

Let’s water it, oh let’s water it

When it is Tu Bishvat

Look at the tree

The tree is so much taller now

Let’s water it, oh let’s water it

When it is Tu Bishvat

Trees are blowing in the wind, they’re blowing

Trees are blowing in the wind woosh

Trees are blowing in the wind, they’re blowing

Trees are blowing in the wind

Just look at me

Just look at me, I’m taller now

Don’t water me, please don’t water me

When it is Tu Bishvat

Don’t water me, please don’t water me

When it is Tu Bishvat

SONG 5: SHABBAT LIGHT (entering 2nd Kinneret and Hermon)

Every week, pausing for a moment

Every week, reflect and look within

Take your time, thinking and praying

Let the peace sink in

On Shabbat, resting and recharging

On Shabbat, suddenly we see

That a break, is good to take

Shabbat was meant to be

V’nadlik nerot Shabbat

And it’s like the stress has lifted

V’nadlik nerot Shabbat

And have challah and kiddush

And it’s warm and sweet and bright

And the world has somehow shifted

Shabbat light makes everything look different

Shabbat is good for you

Every day, using and consuming

Every day, busy as a bee

All that time, never truly seeing

What Shabbat can be

On Shabbat, limiting resources

On Shabbat, we don’t cook, we don’t drive

Starts at night, and just feels right

It helps us feel alive

V’nadlik nerot Shabbat

And it’s like the stress has lifted

V’nadlik nerot Shabbat

And have challah and kiddush

And it’s warm and sweet and bright

And the world has somehow shifted

Shabbat light makes everything look different

Shabbat is good for you

HEBREW SONG 2: I WAS BORN HERE כאן נולדתי

(Garinim and Nitzanim Shaar groups)

כאן ביתי פה אני נולדתי במישור אשר על שפת הים,

כאן החברים איתם גדלתי,

ואין לי שום מקום אחר בעולם.

אין לי שום מקום אחר בעולם.

כאן ביתי פה אני שיחקתי בשפלה אשר על גב ההר,

כאן מן הבאר שתיתי מים,

ושתלתי דשא במדבר,

ושתלתי דשא במדבר.

כאן נולדתי, כאן נולדו לי ילדיי,

כאן בניתי את ביתי בשתי ידיי,

כאן גם אתה איתי, וכאן כל אלף ידידיי

ואחרי שנים אלפיים סוף לנדודיי.

כאן את כל שיריי אני ניגנתי,

והלכתי במסע לילי,

כאן בנעוריי אני הגנתי על חלקת האלוהים שלי

על חלקת האלוהים שלי.

כאן נולדתי, כאן נולדו לי ילדיי,

כאן בניתי את ביתי בשתי ידיי,

כאן גם אתה איתי, וכאן כל אלף ידידיי

ואחרי שנים אלפיים סוף לנדודיי.

כאן את שולחני אני ערכתי, פת של לחם פרח רענן,

דלת לשכנים אני פתחתי,

ומי שבא נאמר לו:"אהלן"

ומי שבא נאמר לו: "אהלן"

כאן נולדתי, כאן נולדו לי ילדיי,

כאן בניתי את ביתי בשתי ידיי,

כאן גם אתה איתי, וכאן כל אלף ידידיי

ואחרי שנים אלפיים,

אחרי שנים אלפיים

כאן נולדתי, כאן נולדו לי ילדיי,

כאן בניתי את ביתי בשתי ידיי,

כאן גם אתה איתי, וכאן כל אלף ידידיי

ואחרי שנים אלפיים סוף לנדודיי.

כאן גם אתה איתי, וכאן כל אלף ידידיי

ואחרי שנים אלפיים סוף סוף לנדודי

Here I set my table, a piece of bread,

and a beautiful flower.

A door to my neighbors I opened,

And to those who come we'll say "welcome."

I was born here, my children were born here,

Here I built my house with both my hands,

Here you're with me,

and all my thousand of friends,

And after two thousand years,

And after two thousand years.

I was born here, my children were born here,

Here I built my house with both my hands,

Here you're with me,

and all my thousand of friends,

And my wanderings are over after two thousand years.

Here you're with me,

and all my thousand of friends,

And my wanderings are over after two thousand years.

Here is my home where I was born,

on the plains just by the sea,

Here are my friends with whom I grew up,

And there's no other place in the world for me.

No other place in the world for me.

Here is my home where I frolicked,

in the land that's beyond the heights,

Here from the well I drank water,

And planted grass in the wastes,

And planted grass in the wastes.

I was born here, my children were born here,

Here I built my house with both my hands,

Here you're with me,

and all my thousand of friends,

And my wanderings are over after two thousand years.

Here I played all of my songs,

And went out on a night journey.

Here in my youth I protected,

this piece of God given land.

This piece of God given land.

SONG 6: GOLDEN BOY/ TEVA (entering 1st Gemalim and Nesherim)

Teva, we can’t take for granted

All the trees we planted, are for the good, whoa

Teva, we can’t take for granted

Now we’re gonna teach you all, how to show kavod

Plant a tree, or recycle all the plastic stuff

Don’t just throw away, re-use it

We don’t litter, and we conserve the water

We respect all we see around us

Yes we must respect the teva

And we will do it forever

Te te teva, te te teva

We believe it’s a requirement

To appreciate our environment

Keep it up now, 3, 2, 1, hey

We are Jewish kids, and we must commit

To respect our earth, we know what it’s worth

We are Jewish kids, and we must commit

To plant and till, and you know we will

Plant a tree, or recycle all the plastic stuff

Don’t just throw away, re-use it

We believe it’s a requirement

To appreciate our environment

Keep it up now 3, 2, 1, hey

We are Jewish kids, and we must commit

To respect our earth, we know what it’s worth

We are Jewish kids, and we must commit

To plant and till, and you know we will

This is how we do it

SONG 7: CIRCLE OF LIFE (entering 4th/5th/6th grade Nitzanim)

Zeh chashoov l’kabed et hateva (x9) זה חשוב לכבד את הטבע

From the day we arrive on the planet

And, blinking step into the sun

There’s more to see, than can ever be seen

More to do than can ever be done

There’s far too much to take in here

More to find than can ever be found

But the sun rolling high

Through the sapphire sky

Keeps great and small on the endless round

Zeh galgal hachayim זה גלגל החיים

M’taltel otanu מטלטל אותנו

Bain y’oosh litikvah בין ייאוש לתקווה

L’ahava לאהבה

Ohd neemtza bo makom עד נמצא בו מקום

B’darchei ein pesher בדרכי אין פשר

Oovapitulim, shel galgal hachayim ובפיתולים של גלגל החיים

Camp Ramah Song שיר רמה

בבוקר קם פרפר ועף מעבר לגדר

סימן שבא השמש, צהריים.

אתמול ירדו גשמים ולא הפסיקו לדקה,

הכל רטוב, הכל כבר השתנה…

(Oh Baby)

טוב לראות את השמש

טוב לי לחייך

טוב לי לשיר את השירה

טוב כשהשמיים כחול וקצת לבן

טוב לי במחנה רמה.

Ba-boker kam parpar ve-af me’ever legader,

Siman she-ba ha-shemesh, zohorayim.

Etmol yardu geshamim ve-lo hifsiku le-daka,

Hakol ratov, ha-kol kvar hishtana.

(Oh baby,)

Tov lir’ot hashemesh, tov li lechayech,

Tov li lashir et ha-shira…

Tov ke’she’hashamayim kachol u-ketzat lavan,

Tov li be-Machaneh Ramah

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