PROPHETS VIE FOR ROSH HAMEMSHELAH OF OSRUI GESHER 5776
Ever wish you could go back to days of old and bring back some of the most poetic, wise, and influential leaders from the Prophets to serve as our governmental leader? Gesher did just that. Gesher is the eidah (unit) of middle-school aged youth. This summer, the eidah must choose between four candidates– King Solomon, Judge Deborah, Prophet Jeremiah, and the lesser known, but nonetheless influential, Rehav– in an upcoming election. After studying the biblical significance of each candidate, Gesher set out to consider how each might deal with modern day issues such as racial justice, gun violence, mental health, environment, immigration, and Israel. Over a series of mornings, the eidah learned about each issue through real-life stories and prepared campaign ads, slogans, songs,and chants that brought their candidate’s platform on these issues to life.
Just about a week ago, each campaign team prepared their candidate for a Town Hall Meeting, using Jewish texts and current statistics. A primary election was held shortly thereafter. While all candidates performed well at the town hall by staying in character and using texts and statistics adeptly, two clear winners emerged from the primaries: Judge Deborah and Prophet Jeremiah. Now, Deborah and Jeremiah are furiously working to get the other candidates to endorse them, prepare for the final debate (moderated by none other than OSRUI Director Jerry Kaye), and let the entire camp get to know these Biblical figures and the larger issues of the day as their signs, slogans, and chants have been popping up all over the place.
The chanichim (campers) and madrichim (counselors) have been so excited to bring to life these Biblical characters that used to just live on the page. Before now, few of them knew much of anything about these kings, prophets, and judges. Yet, these days, that can’t stop talking about them. While we prepared these hour-long limmud (learning) sessions for a few mornings each week, the chanichim and madrichim and chanichim have given up free time to prepare even more and get ready for the big election.
More than that, they have been inspired to see how their Jewish faith, values and culture call on them to respond to the social issues of our time. This has led to unexpected and deeply meaningful conversations and connections among chanichim, madrichim, and us. So, while you may have already chosen who you are voting for in the fall, we still haven’t chosen for whom we will vote in the election on Friday! It’s a close race, but the new Rosh HaMemshelah (Head of Government) will soon prevail for OSRUI Gesher 5776. If you could vote, whom would you choose: Judge Deborah or Prophet Jeremiah? Why? We’d love to hear from you! Leave us a comment.
The final debate and election will occur just before Shabbat.
Rabbi Debbie Helbraun serves as Hebrew School Principal of Temple Jeremiah in Northfield, IL and Rabbi Shoshanah Conover serves as Assosicate Rabbi at Congregation Sholom of Chicago. Both serve on Gesher faculty.