By Rabbi Rachel Kaplan Marks, assistant rabbi at Congregation Shalom in Milwaukee and Tzofim segel.
Each summer, when I tell people either, “I’ll be spending the next few weeks at OSRUI,” or, “I’ve just returned from two incredible weeks at OSRUI!” I am met with a puzzled looks. I am positive that most people have absolutely no idea what rabbis, cantors, and educators do at Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI), our Reform Movement summer camp in Oconomowoc. And, honestly, why would they know? So, I’d like to share my daily camp schedule with you, to let you in on some of the magic that happens at camp:
6:45am Boker Tov! (Good Morning!)
Time to wake up, throw on some yoga pants, a t-shirt, and a baseball hat, grab my backpack, and tallit and head to my eidah (unit). This year, I’m in Kibbutz HaTzofim – a unit of 5th-7th graders who live in army tents, maintain a garden and a petting zoo, and prepare for and clean up from all of their own meals, which they eat in their outdoor eating area.
7:30am Morning T’fillot (prayers)
Along with the songleader, this year a talented, kind, and energetic 20 year-old, named Benji, we run through some of the prayers in the morning service. Including reading from the Torah on Monday and Thursdays. This takes place in Tzofim’s breathtaking Beit T’fillah (chapel), which is engulfed by trees – providing the perfect shady and serene space for prayers.
8:00am Aruchat Boker (Breakfast)
A chance to sit and talk with the chanichim (campers) in the shady outdoor eating area.
8:45am Limudim (Jewish learning)
Along with Noah, the intelligent, caring, and dedicated 19-year-old Rosh Limud (Counselor in charge of limudim), we engage the chanichim in experiential lessons surrounding a theme. For the two weeks that I’m at camp, we are focusing on Civil Rights through a Jewish Historical Lens. So far, we’ve done a simulation whereby 1/3 of the chanichim received “privilege bracelets” which gave them easier rules to follow in friendly competitions, making it easier to win candy – these bracelets gave them a chance to really feel the effects of privilege. We have gone “text-shopping” for social justice texts from the Jewish tradition. We have lobbied to the directors of the camp, organized a protest, and filmed youtube videos about Judaism and social justice. And, we have met Jewish social justice heroes in a living museum.
10:00am Sports & Chugim (electives)
While the chanichim are playing sports and then engaging in their electives (including but not limited to sailing, dance, art, drama, soccer, teva (nature), media, photography, etc.), I am busy planning the limudim lesson for the following day.
12:30pm Aruchat Tzoharyim (lunch)
Another opportunity to engage with the chanichim
1:30pm Schiya (Swimming)
Either in the lake or the pool! Followed by showers.
3:30pm Ivrit (Hebrew) & Menucha (Rest Hour)
Each madrich/a (counselor) teaches an engaging, experiential lesson in spoken modern Hebrew to a new group of chanichim each day. Then, they return to their ohelim (tents) for their rest hour. During these two hours, I’m busy tutoring all of the 7th graders with upcoming B’nei Mitzvah, one-on-one.
5:30pm Va’adot (Committees)
The chanichim take turns in their Va’adot being on meal-prep, grounds and maintenance, tending to the garden, taking care of the animals in the petting zoo, and preparing to lead t’fillot. I help the Va’ad that is assigned to T’fillot Prep.
6:30pm Aruchat Erev (Dinner)
Another chance to engage with the chanichim!
7:30pm Evening T’fillot (Prayers)
This time a Va’ad of chanichim lead the prayers along with the songleader and me! This also takes place in our beautiful Beit T’fillah!
8:00pm Tochnit Erev (Evening Program)
This can range from a giant game of Capture the Flag, to Sing Downs, Tent Nights, and so much more!
9:00pm Lights Out for the Chanichim
9:30pm Staff Meeting
This is where I get to sit with the staff as we prepare for the next day, full of fun, learning, and adventure!
10:30pm Back to the Lodge
Where I get to hang out with other rabbis, cantors, and educators – where normally, we talk shop, dreaming up fabulous new ways to engage our youth!
I hope that this in-depth schedule gives you a window into the life of a rabbi at Jewish camp!
This article was recently featured in The Shofar, the monthly newsletter of Congregation Shalom of Milwaukee.