by Lori Sagarin, Merkaz Ivrit Segel (Hebrew Center Faculty)

Shalom L’Kol HaHorim shel OSRUI (Greetings to all the parents of OSRUI),

My name is Lori Sagarin and I am the Director of Congregational Learning at Temple Beth Israel in Skokie, Illinois. This is my 18th summer on faculty at OSRUI and my first in a new faculty position in the Merkaz Ivrit, (Hebrew Center).

I am passionate about Hebrew. Modern Hebrew has the capacity, in a sublimely inductive way to bring children into Jewish life and to enable them to feel intellectually and emotionally connected to our rich, ever-evolving and unique community. Hebrew is more that a prayer or a value word here and there. Hebrew is a key gateway into a deep, empowering, engaging modern/ancient culture. We know that at camp we have the ultimate laboratory where we can make Hebrew come alive, excite and incite a love of and a desire to increase one’s Hebrew knowledge.

We are always seeking new and exciting ways to bring the Hebrew to our campers. “Ivrit al galgalim”, Hebrew on wheels is one such way. We are testing a roving golf cart replete with Hebrew materials, music and staff that travels around camp and brings Hebrew everywhere.

We also believe that Hebrew helps us connect to Israel. We are currently preparing to follow the Olympics. The Mercaz Ivrit staff has created a bulletin board that hangs in the chadar ochel (dining room) that has bios, questions for discussion and will ultimately have daily Olympic updates. We are introducing them (virtually) to Israel’s Olympic team and want you to feel a part of what is going on here. You too can learn all about Israel’s 2012 Olympic athletes by visiting www.theicenter.org and clicking on the Olympic story. You will be taken to 12 video interviews with Israel’s medal contenders as well as up to the date articles on the Israeli team.

I appreciate the opportunity I have here at camp to help continue to develop our Hebrew program. It is a secret code that is our birthright, our heritage, our language. There is nothing more rewarding than learning to unlock the code; to use it, live it and love it here at camp.

L’hitraot,

Lori B. Sagarin, RJE

Lori Sagarin is the Director of Congregational Learning at Temple Beth Israel in Skokie, IL and is serving as the faculty member in the Merkaz Ivrit (Hebrew Center) this session.