"Shidduch crisis, OT shlichus system, antis, meshichistim, simchas beis..."
We all like to complain about the problems within our community.
But in my opinion theres a problem - a big problem - which hasn't really been addressed. Today I would like to address that problem.
You may know where I'm going with this based off the title, but I won't make it into a whole surprise.
This problem is the A-Frame.
Now, before I continue I would like to make a disclaimer
Disclaimer: I understand there are multiple people on this forum that might take this article offensive or personal. I would like to say, this article wasn't intended to bash any particular group or person, it's merely a way of releasing my stress about this issue (although everyone is welcome to comment down below).
For those who don't know, the A-Frame was an iconic structure located in CGI Detroit- Kalkaska, MI, used as a dining room.
"Okay..? So what's the problem with a camp dining room" is what your'e probably asking right now.
I'll tell you the problem...
Alright, so you have camp shtick, which is a normal camp thing to do. So in CGI Detroit they decided to make this A-Frame into some sort of vort - fine -.
But they took it a bit to far, or a lot to far.
I heard from a friend whom was in this camp recently, that, a few years after the camp moved from Kalkaska (which is now the girl's camp) to Tustin, the camp decided to take the kids on a trip to visit the A-Frame. The kids pull up to the A-Frame, and one staff goes and bends down and kisses the ground of the A-Frame, then every kid went and did the same.
I hope you understand that this isn't a very normal thing to do. Theres a fine line between shtick and avodah zarah.
I'll share with you an excerpt I found from the CGI Detroit website, in regards to how they found there head counselor levi:
"One day the head counselor walked into the A-Frame and he saw Levi staring at the ceiling. He asked Levi if everything is alright. Levi screamed back "1248!". The head counselor was clearly confused so Levi explained: that's how many planks of wood are in the A-Frame, 1248!"
I'll also share with you a Google review I saw on CGI Detroit:
Absolute best camp. The A-frame will always stand against the sky, surrounded by the clouds.
My last example is something I heard from two bochurim who were staff in CGI Detroit. There was a recent derher publication which included the famous picture of the rebbe making a triangle with his hands (which is the same motion the kids make in CGI Detroit make when singing songs of the A-Frame) representing the tzemach tzedeks hat. One bochur shows the other the picture and says "look, the Rebbe's doing the A-Frame"
I end my case. This retardation must come to an end. Its cute as a shtick, but not as an avoda Zara.

