The Schvitz: Moments of Awe and Connection

One of the most beloved summer traditions at Camp is the Schvitz (which means “sweat” in Yiddish) – our rustic, outdoor steam sauna built into the ground near the Pipeline section of the Tuolumne River on Tawonga’s property. Generations of campers and staff alike have marveled at its spiritual nature and power to connect groups of people.

The Schvitz is an evening program offered to our older campers and teens during Sessions 2 and 3. Bunks gather inside to perform Jewish spiritual rituals and sing songs, bask in the heat and sweat provided by the sauna, then head outside for a cold plunge and mikveh (ritual cleansing) in the river by moonlight. Read below for a moving reflection by camper Nina Segall that was awarded first place in an essay contest sponsored by the Orinda library last year.

Intertwined Fingers

By: Nina Segall

The ground was moist and my toes tingled on the sandy earth. I noticed the branches of the old ponderosa pine swaying side to side above me. The gurgle of the river beside our glowing campfire, murmured in my ears. A clammy hand that belonged to one of my closest friends, Talia, found mine and together we hurried to the schvitz, Camp Tawonga’s steam sauna nestled in the mountains of Yosemite.

Hushed chanting embraced us as we stepped into the sauna and took a seat on the wooden bench, packed tightly with our bunkmates. The rhythm of the Hebrew chanting grew louder and I started clapping along. Someone poured water on the fiery, hot rocks and the hissing drowned out our words. Everyone became quiet. A wave of hot steam passed over me and I wiped sweat off my brow. I looked across the schvitz but I could not make out a single face in the darkness. Yet, I recognized the gentle voice of our counselor, Stella, who began to lead an activity. I closed my eyes and let her words echo around me.

She prompted us to start a conversation out loud with someone from our life. The schvitz grew noisy again and everyone became absorbed in their conversations. I had never had a private conversation with so many people around me and I questioned if I was saying the right things. But I focused on my own conversation and felt safe in the schvitz. After a few minutes, the voices around me softened. Then Stella began a call-and-response song. She sang, “Sweet mother, I’m coming home.” The thirty other people in the schvitz responded with me, “Your love is everything, heart and soul, breath and skin.” It was a beautiful exchange of melodies. I became enthralled by the sound of our voices raised in song.

Before I knew it, Talia’s fingers wrapped around mine again and we filed out through the small, low door of the schvitz. The crisp air sent a shiver through me and we weaved through the trees toward the sandy beach beside the river. I gazed up into Stella’s eyes and felt the warmth of her love as she picked up my other hand and tightly intertwined her fingers with mine. We waded waist-deep into the shimmery, cool water. Every cell in my body became instantly aware of everything, from the tickle of flowing water moving around me, to the smooth, mossy rocks beneath my feet. Together, everyone formed a circle, joined hand in hand. I looked down to find my reflection in the water, my bare chest trembling beside a luminescent full moon. I closed my eyes and a droplet slipped down my face. I am not quite sure if it was sweat left from the hot steam of the sauna or a salty tear, but I think it was both. Then we dunked three times, immersing our bodies in the chilly water: first, symbolically, to let go; second, to give; and third, to receive.

I slowly walked out of the water, in awe of this profound experience. On the shore next to the soothing crackle of the campfire, I wrapped my arms around Talia’s body, dotted with goosebumps. She whispered in my ear, “That was incredible.”

I whispered back, “I feel so alive,” and I knew Talia and I felt more connected to each other than we had ever before.

I have wondered whether other people have had moments like mine, moments when they feel most alive. Maybe it was dancing outside during a rainstorm or seeing shooting stars whiz across the night sky. Perhaps it was spending time with a loved one when she was sick or forming a relationship with an animal. Or it’s possible that it was listening to music in a sacred space. But I’m afraid that most of the time we live in a pattern of the same habits, day after day, sleepwalking through our lives. Only when we are able to awaken our senses and free our spirits can we feel truly alive.

Looking back at my experience this past summer at Camp Tawonga, I understand why I felt a tear drop from my eye right before I dunked in the river. I was overwhelmed with awe. It was so meaningful to discover a strong connection to myself, the people around me, and the natural world. I have realized that these moments when I get to be part of something greater than myself happen so rarely. Through the singing in the schvitz and the immersion in the river, I experienced a sense of belonging to something much larger for the first time.

As I navigate life, I continue to return to my experiences from my summers at Tawonga. They serve as a guide for me, a reminder of the value of a loving community and the beauty of feeling deeply in every moment. 

About the Author

Nina Segall lives in the East Bay and is going into her junior year of high school. Along with her twin sister, Livia, Nina has spent four summers with Camp Tawonga, including one summer on the Adventure Quest, “Women of the Wild.” Tawonga has been an important part of Nina’s life, shaping her identity and relationship to nature and Judaism. Two of her favorite places at Camp are the river and Makom Shalom. 

Session 3 & 3a Update

Sessions 3 and 3a are off to the races, experiencing all the best of Camp T in their first full week here. Campers just wrapped up their first shabbat of the summer, with highlights including the Shabbat stroll, Freilach (extended song session), this morning’s Torah service reading of Parshat Chukat and tonight’s talent show and havdalah. It’s been wonderful to have everyone back at Camp this weekend, since Chalutzim I and Galil backpacked and Chalutzim II went on the Bagel Run this past week. Tomorrow, excitement for the second week of the sessions builds with the all-Camp program — “Sunfest”! We are having a blast with this enthusiastic and spirited bunch of campers and can’t wait for all the mission moments to come.