by Rachel Slaton, Director of Communications

On Thursday, a member of our communications team (surprise: it was me!) was taking photos at the Low Ropes Course for a cabin of Bonim campers. Sadie, one of our wonderful ropes course specialists, was facilitating a series of team-building activities. One particular challenge had campers tossing a foam ball in a pattern around the circle as fast as they could, ensuring every camper got it once and everyone’s name was said.

The campers were doing a pretty good job – they did it in just 13 seconds! – so Sadie challenged them to think about how they could do it even faster.

One camper said, “There’s no way we can do it faster than that!” and without missing a beat, the friend standing next to her said “We’re Bonim the builders, yes we can!”

Now, I’ll let you in on some insider’s information that makes this moment so powerful. The friend’s automatic response came directly from the Bonim cheer that has been passed down year after year to the next group of Bonim campers. Every Saturday evening during Session Songs, all the Bonim campers (and anyone who has been in Bonim) does this cheer together. 

Bonim, the builders, can we fix it?
Bonim, the builders, yes we can!
I’m big, I’m strong, I’m ready for whatever comes along
I love my friends, we’ll stay together until the end
I like myself, I’m worth a lot and you can’t tell me that I’m not
Self-Worth! We’re Bonim, we’re Bonim, you can’t beat our self-esteem.

Imagine this … what seems like a silly session cheer embedded itself so deeply in that camper, that in a moment where grit was needed that lesson sprang forth authentically and inspired the group to try it again. They ended up doing it in 8.5 seconds. 

Now THAT is a joyful, Jewish moment. Shabbat Shalom, y’all!