The Flowrider

new photos

I've uploaded pictures from the first 24 hours of camp and posted them on our facebook page.
If you don't follow us yet on twitter, you should do that, too.

New Logo Time!

We have finally released our new logo for 2011!

Visit our facebook page, www.facebook.com/nageelawest
to check it out, and also to vote on your favorite all-time Nageela logo!

Baby muffin

Mazal tov to the official NAGEELA Muffin Man, Yaakov Simanowitz on the birth of a baby boy!

The rock

When I was younger, I used to do a lot of rock climbing...


But I was boulder back then...

Mitch Hedberg on whistling and more

I like Kit-Kat, unless I'm with four or more people.

I can whistle with my fingers, especially if I have a whistle.

I drank some boiling water because I wanted to whistle.

I haven't slept for ten days, because that would be too long.

I know a lot about cars, man. I can look at any car's headlights and tell you exactly which way it's coming.

Across the continent

Wow!!!

A hugeeeeeee and very, very nice Mazal tov to NAGEELA east and west all star

AZI STEINER

Upon getting engaged!

Economics

I'm not sure exactly what came over me, but it was a sudden inspiration.

Thanks God, Sincerely, Pharaoh

People often ask about the point of the ten plagues.

After all, on a scale of one to ten on how difficult it would have been for God to simply have the Jews waltz out of Egypt (or perhaps hora out would have been more appropriate), the number is probably somewhere between easy- shmeesy and no- sweat (technical terms often used by actuaries). So again, why all the drama? Okay it would have made a pretty boring movie plot otherwise, but our seder would certainly have been shorter! "We were slaves, then we weren't. Let's eat!"

Here is a list of a couple of answers (some better than others).

• God purchased His 'geting out of Egypt kit' at Costco, and didn't want to waste it.

Nah

• The Egyptians made the Jews suffer so much over the years, they deserved a little payback.

OK, but why the creative, nature altering plagues? Why not just make them eat sardines or something?

• God wanted to show his complete control over the world. Weather, livestock, health, economy, wind, wild beasts. Once He did that, nobody can question his abilities. (Ramban)

Now we're talking! Is there something more?

• God got a real laugh out of frogs and it all sort of flowed from there.

Are you feeling okay, Locker?

• It was actually being nice to the Egyptians!

Huh?

• No really. They did bad stuff. Had God just said, "Game over, exit Jews," they would not have had the chance to improve. This way, God gave them chance after chance- "Hellloooo, wake up Pharaoh. You're evil. Please change your ways or else I'll beat you up."


• It's kinda like a parent who finds out their kid did something really damaging. A lazy parent just cleans up the mess and doesn't mention it to the child. A proactive parent takes the time to explain to the child where they went wrong, and provides consequences if they refuse to improve.


• Although the Egyptians may not have realized it at the time, the plagues were (at least partially) for their benefit! Ironic. (Seforno).

Never would have thought of that

So it wasn't just, "Hey Egyptians, you just wait until my big brother finds out you've been bullying me and then you'll be sorry." It actually made a lot of sense for the evil Egyptias, who, after all their wickedness, are still children of God, too.

Galaxy of the kayak

Stepping into my parents' backyard in Lakewood, I am transported to a different galaxy.

No longer do I live in the realm of grass, trees and squirrels. I now belong to the domain of BBAMB. That's the official intergalactic code for Boats, Boats, and More Boats.

Don't be alarmed at the picture, those aren't all my father's boats...

I mean, they all are my father's boats. They just aren't all my father's boats. This picture isn't even half of my father's boats. Close, but not quite half.

Yes, the famous Captain Locker who spent years battling swans in famous ake Carasaljo has hoarded his signature watercraft at his, until now, secret lair. Behold, the boats...

A taste of East

Heading to the East Coast tonight.

Look out New Yawk!

Pesach themed cartoons

Here are a couple of Passover themed cartoons I sketched for one of my teen classes.
The idea behind the classes was to admit that the seder, indeed the whole Passover experience (although fun) can be very confusing if you look at it from an intelectual angle, and to explain in depth how it all makes perfect sense. Giving teens and appreciation for the beauty of the holiday and its rituals.


This one was from the first class in the series which dealt with the difficulty in understanding the purpose of the whole holiday.


This class dealt specifically with the structure of the Haggadah, and how to understand its organization, thereby developing a deeper appreciation for its seemingly random paragraphs.

More Koreans learn Talmud than Jews... by far!

Check out this translation from an original ynet article which truly blows the mind!

http://muqata.blogspot.com/2011/03/talmud-study-now-mandatory-in-south.html

Here's the article in Hebrew:

http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4046985,00.html

And here's a cartoon with a talmudic twist.

http://www.kidstimes.net/2008/cartoon/325_cartoon.gif

"The secret to Jewish genius! Nice!"

No More Spandex!

The Nageela National Camping Network (that's a mouthfull)
would like to wish a really TALL

MAZEL TOV

to All- star Nageela East counselor

Aryeh Steinman

upon getting engaged!

WOOOHOOO!

Wait, stop!

William was excited to join the army.
He enjoyed the drills, the exercises and even the food!
His one problem was with shooting.

He got really nervous when the officer would yell "Fire at Will!"

Gourmet delight

I guess I don't get to pet stores very often. They are fascinating places. There are a lot of cool things to see and do... It's always a fun trip for the kids, who love playing with a bunny or a dog.
But...

Don't do your food shopping there. Really.
Pinkies and fuzzies... Are you serious?

"hey, you wanna eat something fuzzy?"

purim photos

Check out our flick photostream of the ongoing PUMP YOUR PURIM EVENT!
http://tinyurl.com/493y2z7

Drop in sometime...

Just because nobody complains doesn't mean all parachutes are perfect

Power- out

The electricity went off at school...


The students were de-lighted

Please leave a massage after the tone

Today, I fired my massage therapist..

He just rubbed me the wrong way...

Really? You're kidding!

Here's the cover to a book my kids have, and I must say I'm severely disappointed!
I'll bet the author never even tried to! Huh, Harriet?  Have you?
I can't say I do it often, because to truly savor the fine taste and texture of an expertly marinated Kirby requires the faculties of palate, tongue and epiglottis.
However, tasting a pickle with one's ear does provide a pleasantly pickly sensation as well.

So next time somebody writes a book, I sincerely hope they research the topic well.

It's a boy!

Mazal tov to
Camp NAGEELA (east)
Asst head counselor
Shaya Hecht
Upon the birth of a baby boy!

Shopping

Once you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall.

There r no cats... Abd the streets are paved with pickle juice!

Apparently, Bergen County, NJ has started using pickle juice to melt snow.
What a terrible waste of a valuable commodity!

pickle juice article

Kay-liens

Two astronauts land on Mars. Their mission: To determine whether there is oxygen on the planet. 'Give me the box of matches,' says one.

'Either it burns and there is oxygen, or nothing happens.'

He takes the box, and is ready to strike a match when, out of the blue, a Martian appears waving all his seven arms. 'No, no, don't!'

The two guys look at each other, worried. Could there be an unknown explosive gas on Mars? Still, the astronaut takes up the match and prepares to strike it.

Suddenly, a crowd of hysterical Martians come, all waving their arms: 'No, please no, don't do that! STOP! Please!'

One of the astronauts says, 'This looks serious. What are they afraid of? Nonetheless, we're here for science, to know if humans can breathe on Mars.' So... He strikes the match -- which flames up, burns down, and... NOTHING HAPPENS!

So then he turns to the Martians and asks, 'Why did you want us to not strike a match?'

The leader of the Martians steps forward and says, "Today is Shabbos!"

Scottsdale Arizona Reunion

It was a beautiful night in Arizona as I got together for a Nageelawest Arizona reunion/ open house.

A special guest to LV

Quotable...

I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.


- Noel Coward

Camp Nageela West -The Official Video- 2011

McFalafel

Now that is ironic...

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4014721,00.html

Cross-eyed

There was once a cross-eyed teacher...


She couldn't control her pupils.

New nageela baby!

MAZAL TOV
To camp NAGEELA west head counselor
TZIPPY HOLLANDER
And long time NAGEELA east counselor and nageawest driver
Rabbi Matis Hollander

Upon the birth of a
BABY BOY!

It's all in the family

We'd like to wish a big, juicy
MAZAL TOV!
to longtime NAGEELA east and Jepli veteran staff member
Aron Lipman
Upon his engagement to former NAGEELA camper and staff member
Sara Zelka,
Sister of Aaron (Ethel) Zelka.

I cant remember...

I really do have a photographic memory



-- I just haven't developed it yet.