A month ago, we announced (I dare to you to fly to St. Louis to throw me in a lake) the “Herzl Magic” Bracket. The idea is to try to discuss, reminisce, and ultimately vote on your favorite Herzlism, traditions, and schtick.  As promised, it is now time for the tournament to begin!  I have taken the liberty of breaking down the first match-ups in the Yama region, and now it’s your turn.  Leave a comment with your voting choices and let the games begin.

If this question had been posed 15-20 years ago, I imagine that it would be a much tougher choice.  True, Buzzards is not a uniquely Herzl tradition.  But the “way” it was performed (insane physical torture for the benefit of the crowd) probably was.  Take a look at the “non-Herzl” way Buzzards is performed on YouTube here.  Pretty weak, isn’t it?  But in recent years, the Buzzards have become extinct.  Therefore making it a low-seed going up against a #1 seed 12 Gates, a pinnacle of Herzl Schtick which has gained popularity over the years (Editor’s Note:  Heck, the new Chadar built a “12 Gates” stage!).  Danny’s prediction: 12 Gates

Neither is uniquely Herzl.  I will always hold a special place for Star Gazing at Herzl.  That said, the Mercaz is not the best place for it.  There is too much light pollution from camp there, and the tree cover nearby does not give you a full sky.  The tennis courts are MUCH better.  On the other side, Ultimate was a largely non existent Herzl sport until Tin Tin helped popularize the sport in the early 90s.  Since then, it has changed the face of Herzl, as well as the college Ultimate scene.  (Editor’s Note:  The Twin Cities High School Ultimate League was also formed by Herzl Alumni, and can thank its popularity to the sport coming to Herzl).  Danny’s prediction: Ultimate

Buddy checks are a fixture of the waterfront.  Who doesn’t like having to scramble to find your buddy (who may be 50 yards away) in order to triumphantly shout out your number when its your turn.  I’m also a sucker for the group that forgets it is their turn repeatedly as the waterfront staff gets increasingly impatient.  But there is something about Root Beer Floats.  They are readily available 365 days a year but do you ever really get a root beer float at home?  Of course not.  They’re just better at Herzl, especially when earned by daily Nikayon. Danny’s prediction: ?

All camps have ghosts and ghost stories.  That said, even as a Papa Ozo, I didn’t like to be alone in the Ozo Mo at night (Editor’s Note:  Do not be fooled, the demolition of the Old Chadar has not silenced Rosemary’s haunt of camp… it only made her more angry!).  On the other hand, the Kadimah Wall is the best way to objectively measure one group versus past years.  Just read Zoe’s blog about it.  It must be noted however, that the Kadimah wall has gotten some significant face-lifts over the years which have changed the times dramatically.  Most people will point to the ledge on the back where four people can easily stand reaching downward.  However, I think the big change is that the wall now has horizontal pieces of wood.  The old wall had vertical.  There was no way to dig your fingers or heels into the wall.  My Kadimah (’92) climbed the wall in 19 minutes, considered a great time in our day).  The year before us took 46 minutes.  All of camp could get over in under 46 minutes on today’s wall.  Like the steroids era has cheapened baseball, the new wall has made it too easy. Danny’s Prediction: I’m going with the ghost.

Again, you have a dessert that can be eaten anytime at home.  But it never is.  It is a beloved Herzl treat, though as I understand it, they don’t always do Eskimo pies on Saturday nights anymore.  They’ve moved on to ice cream sandwiches?  Meltzer songs are always lost in the shuffle.  They’re not as high profile as flag songs, and since they are only once per session for the campers, they are often forgotten.  Still I’m a sucker for a good Herzl song. Danny’s Prediction:  This one is too close for me.  What about you?

This one is an amazingly tough #3 vs #14 matchup.  On the one hand, you have Schmutz Busters.  Presumably named for the 1980s movie classic “Ghostbusters”, these shirts have stood the test of time.  Coveted every year, the shirts drive campers to obvious garbage pick-up in front of counselors in the hopes of getting noticed … without looking like they are trying to get noticed.  The addition of “dance like _____” to receive the shirt in the late ’90s only increased the fun.  That said, nothing breaks the monotony of a mid-day lunch more than a livid swim staff making some poor kid shake in his flip flops in front of a silent Chadar after forgetting to take his buddy tag off the board.  Thankfully, I never was the kid who left my buddy tag; this scare tactic worked well enough for me.  High drama before Minucha if you ask me. Danny’s Prediction: This one is tough.  I have a feeling Schmutz Busters will take it.

They’re lovable, happy.  They even have their own song to the tune of the old Deaver song (just ask Alex Locke to sing it for you).  I think when you’re little, you sort of mock cheer for the K’shishim.  Now, all I want is to be one some day.  Escape to Israel was and hopefully still is the most intense evening program.  I never successfully escaped.  I spent all my time dressed in black crawling through the woods just north of Ozo Park.  An hour (and 50 feet of crawling) later, the air-horn would sound and the adventure was over for me.  Maybe if I’d just been a little more mainstream about my strategy I could have actually gotten somewhere… Danny’s Prediction: Give it up for the K’Shishim.  And put in a good word for me in the summer of 2050.

This one is easy.  I mean, one of these has it’s own Facebook fan page!  The other hasn’t had a spot in the Saturday lunch lineup since the 20th century ended.  I hope that they didn’t just decide to stop Chiri Bim Chiri Bom.  Herzl tradition is all about an evolution – the new stuff builds on the old.  I’m sure whatever they do now is fresher, funnier, and more creative.  I just hope it wasn’t replaced by silence. Danny’s Prediction:  We love you judges, oh yes we do…

So, I’ve dissected the match-ups, I’ve analyzed the competitions … now, I want to hear from you.  If it were up to just me, I’d name the 1993 N’divim the champions and there would be no discussion.  But this is a “Herzl Magic” Bracket, so its time for the readers to leave their vote, tell their friends, and help us find the exact schtick that makes Herzl what it is.  Have at it.

(Editor’s Note:  This only works with your help!  Please forward this on to as many Alumni as you know and ask them to weigh in their vote as well.  Leave a comment, spread the love, and help us find the true Herzl Magic!)