Bikkurim recap – 2nd Session, Kadima & B’Yachad – June 30th

As promised folks, here is a recap of Bikkurim from a couple of the day’s organizers and judges…who do wear Ref Jerseys all day long. So without further ado:

Hi Families!

On June 28th the campers arrived at the Chadar for what seemed to be a normal dinner, but before they knew it, the lights shut off and the word BIKKURIM flashed across the screen.

We ran out first, having the privilege of being judges for 2026 Second Session BIKK. Next came each color’s staff and Ozo captains, who ran out as the B’yachad camper captain was revealed.

The Chadar exploded with screams and cheers as the teams were announced. The theme of this session’s BIKK was the most famous person from each decade, ending with the purple team’s Michael Jackson for the 80’s.

After the captains were announced campers ran back to their tzrifim to change. We watched as campers mobbed their friends and shared all their multi-colored costumes. Campers then had the chance to meet up with their teams and participate in the first night basketball competition. This competition consisted of each team performing a dunk, half point shot, a 3 point shoot-out contest (including one staff, ozo and camper from each team) and ended with the winning teams selecting two Kadima Campers playing 1 v 1 for the whole camp. The Yellow Team player took the game with a stepback 3 over the other players head, and we watched as all their fellow campers and teammates swarmed him on the court.

Campers were exhausted after cheering on their teammates and all slept like angels. The next morning we led flag with the camper captains and spent breakfast immersed in a never ending ruach battle. Although it was a low of 90 degrees and the sun was bright, the campers gave it their all. Right after breakfast, teams competed in a tug-of-war contest, lasting 5 rounds, with orange ultimately taking the trophy. After the campers tugged their hearts out, they headed to their first of four rotations. These rotations included activities such as pop dance, cake boss, plaque, many different sports, trivia and more. Campers had two rotations before they prepared for silent lunch, a long standing Herzl tradition, where all teams must remain silent for the duration of lunch. Lunch went smoothly and was followed by the classic all camp BIKK picture.

After their rest, campers participated in their final two rotations of the day. After their activities ended and the scores were tallied, the marathon commenced. The marathon consists of numerous stations all over camp involving each camper on every team. The marathon ended with a final lap around the main path of camp, and a B’yachad Camper took home the win for the yellow team. Campers showered and made their way back to the flag circle, where Ozo captains helped us lower the flags.

Dinner consisted of chicken, rice, veggies and shastas (Herzl’s traditional soda at BIKK dinner). We silence the campers and stand at the front of the Chadar, and as we pass campers while running up and down the aisles, they crack open their sodas, making the Chadar echo with the crisp sound of a cold soda can.

The final events of BIKK are some of the most awaited moments in all of camp. Kids sat with their teams in the Chadar and watched as Cake Boss and Plaque revealed their designs (which will forever be adorned on the Beit Ruach walls with those from BIKK past) and Pop Dance performed their dances. We were absolutely blown away by the creativity, dedication and team work we saw from every camper who presented and participated. As we deliberated the final BIKK winner, the campers did Israeli Dancing. Finally, all of camp migrated to the Beit Ruach, where Ozrim dressed in glow in the dark stick figure suits awaited them. The Ozrim performed one of the greatest closing ceremonies that our generation has ever seen. This battle drew out over ten minutes as the teams were eliminated in a Squid Game style. The elimination order went Green, Purple, Red, Blue, Orange and in first place, Yellow. The yellow team cheered and celebrated as other campers congratulated their friends and cabin mates.

We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to judge this year’s second session of Bikkurim, and none of this would be possible without you all sending your kids to camp. Thank you for trusting us with your kids, we know that they will talk about this day for years to come!

Sincerely,

Ella Roether (B’yachad RK) & Della Stulberg (B’yachad Staff)

Yes, our staff is amazing!!!

All is well. Safely rest.

לילה טוב,

Tommy