Camp Counselors Sentenced To Do Push-Ups in Mock Trial

A dozen teenaged camp counselors faced charges of giving their campers “too many Slurpees” and “too much fun” last week in a mock-trial at Brighton’s Division of Boston Municipal Court.

The judge the Honorable David Donnelly convicted all 12 defendants and sentenced them to several push-ups and jumping jacks, much to the delight of the spectators – some 60 campers ages 8-12 from Shaloh House/Gan Izzy Camp. The camp, run by Shaloh House Jewish Day School, is situated across Brighton Commons from the courthouse.

The proceedings took on special significance because the upcoming trial of Khaled Awad, 24, of Brighton, who is accused of repeatedly stabbing one of the rabbis of the camp and school – Rabbi Shlomo Noginski – as the rabbi sat on the school’s front stairs last month. Awad was accused of two hate crimes and is expected to stand trial in two months. Four of Rabbi Noginski’s 12 children were present at the mock trial of the counselors.

The plaintiff, Rabbi Dan Rodkin, head of the school and camp, was satisfied with the verdict. “Honestly, I never expected the judge to have such a sense of humor,” Rabbi Rodkin said. “The kids were glued to him because everything he did was so interesting and so fun. He threw one of the counselors behind bars and let the kids visit, and afterwards, the judge took pictures with all the kids.”

The concept of a trial is also interesting Jewishly, Rabbi Rodkin explained. “In one month, we all stand trial on the holiday of Rosh HaShanah, when the entire world is judged. Many of the kids learned all about Rosh HaShanah in camp, and this mock trial made the concept of being responsible for our actions that much more real.”