SHABBAT BALAK 2012
It sure has been a scorcher here at camp this week. But we know that it has been really warm all around and we have been taking the lead on making it as comfortable as possible for your kids, our campers. We are most proud of our Health Center and staff who have been working so hard to keep kids healthy and in good shape and they sure did an outstanding job of it. There might not be any water left anywhere with all that they drank each day … no, the lake didn’t go down! It has been a real limitation for horseback riding and our outdoor high ropes activities, but we did start those activities early this morning before the heat really got us.
The most notable event this week for Kallah and Tzofim was yesterday’s ice dump!! Two thousand pounds of ice was dumped out in the sports field and the campers played in it, build ice-men, and had an all around eye opening fun time. This is the third time in OSRUI’s history that we have done this and it always makes a memorable experience. Check out our Facebook page, blogs, and website along with Bunk1 photos to catch up on lots of the details … it was amazing.
Last Tuesday night we held the annual Star Spangled Mesibah, produced by Tiferet in honor of the Fourth of July. It began with moving remarks by Melinda Kane, a Gold Star mother of LCPL Jeremy Kane, a young Jewish marine who lost his life in battle in Afghanistan in 2010. Ms. Kane brought two flags to camp – one that flew over the Capitol in his memory and another with his name embroidered in honor and remembrance. Our campers all felt the impact of this powerful statement on behalf of this remarkable Jewish marine.
From there we went down to Bayit Hill for an evening of spectacular fireworks after the really talented campers showed their stuff on the Bitan. It was really a great and moving night.
Chalutzim is getting ready for Yom Horim on July 15th and this past week had a “day off” at the park and then they went on to the movies. You will be amazed at the amount of Hebrew that these teenagers are accumulating!
Today is FacePaint Friday in Kallah, after a week of tubing, Slip ‘n Slide, and staying cool in the lake. They also baked Challah for tonight’s Shabbat dinner, and we look forward to tasting that.
Kibbutz HaTzofim had tent night this week so that everybody was able to spend an evening just with the kids in their tents. They also hopped onto that ice hill that we created and cooled off a lot with that. They are waiting not so patiently for this hot weather to pass … as we all are.
Tiferet followed the Mesibah by incorporating Midrashic-type stories for just about everything they do all day, from showers to meals to rest period. Ask your Tiferet campers about these … and this coming Wednesday they have a showcase exhibiting their talents and abilities to each other and to the rest of camp.
Moshavah is diligently packing and preparing for their trips, which push off this coming Monday .. hiking, biking, canoeing and rock climbing for three days of being together and building new skills.
Last night was Staff Appreciation Night, when several of our Board members created a late night of fun for counselors and specialists. Added to the inflatable games, there was soda and ice cream and lots of other treats. It was a great evening for all!
Today, Kirk Smalley, the father of a young man who took his own life after being bullied by his “friends” is here at camp sharing the message of care and concern for all around you. He spoke to all of our campers who are in 7th grade and up. His presentation was very powerful and strongly received by both kids and staff. It is yet another step in helping all understand how strongly we must take the message of Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh Ba Zeh … all the Jewish people are responsible one for the other. We very much appreciate Kirk’s visit to OSRUI. He has made this a mission that he shares around the country as a volunteer to help ensure that this doesn’t happen to others.
By now you probably read Susan’s blog the other day about the heroic actions taken by several of our staff members. They were spending some time off in town when they saw a fire start in a building right across the street from where they were sitting. We are impressed by and appreciative of these young Jews, American and Israeli, who understood their responsibility in such instances and moved to help immediately. They are but one example of our staff who demonstrate the best of what we can do.
Have a wonderful Shabbat and we look forward to the same!
Jerry Kaye, Director Susan Alexander, Associate Director Solly Kane, Assistant Director