Ode to the Kadimah Wall
January 11, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.
By Zoe Stern
(Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, this is not the real Wall.
If anyone has one, send to us and we’ll replace it here!)
If someone on the street stopped me today and gave me these directions — “Keep your arms straights and against the wall, grab wrists and throw one leg up“ — I would know EXACTLY what they were talking about. THE KADIMAH WALL. Then I would ask them what their Kadimah year was, and of course, what their wall time is. Chances are they would break in to song to answer my question. When I recently posted the question, “What was your Kadimah Wall time?” as my face book status, I received 48 comments, ranging from campers of Kadimah 1985 to Kadimah 2009. Wow!
The Kadimah Wall was first built in 1979 as a result of a winter planning meeting between then director Andy Halper, and then Mama and Papa Ozo, Rose Goldstein and Dan Sloven. At the time, they all agreed that camp needed a “Teamwork Building Wall” … and I would have to say it was a great success! Especially considering that Rose and Dan went on to revive the Ozo program, fall in love and get married!
The Kadimah Wall, and all of the traditions that surround it, is only one of countless rituals that brings people together and connects them not only while there are at Herzl, but for their entire lives to come. After being a part of seven Kadimahs and having flung my body over both the old and new wall numerous times I can no longer remember all of my own wall times. What I can remember though, is what the adrenaline felt like as it rushed through my body to the tune of “Eye of the Tiger.” I can see hundreds of Kadimahniks running through camp victoriously chanting their time, and I know that no matter where I go or who I meet, I only have to say something as simple as, “What’s your Kadimah Wall time?” to start a conversation in a secret language, bridge a gap, make a connection, and feel at home again.
**Thanks to Andy Halper for the official Wall history, and to all who commented on my facebook status!**