SHABBAT NACHAMU 2012
Today marks the Shabbat after Tisha b’Av, offering comfort to the people. This and the next six weeks represent the haftarot of comfort leading up to Rosh HaShanah. We are all feeling a lot better at camp and have had a remarkable week here at OSRUI.
This past week we celebrated Oconomostock, the all-camp talent show sponsored by Kibbutz HaTzofim. It was a great night of seeing some of the amazing skill and talent of our campers. The Kibbutz kids put together a fun presentation seeking to make sure that our ruach is as high as always!
Yesterday was our Maccabiah (color wars) with kids doing everything from games to canoeing contests and climbing the tower, with the whole camp joining together for an all-camp sensational Zumba. Kids were pretty tired last night after participating in all of the activities…they woke up energized and ready for Shabbat tonight.
Gesher went to Madison this past week, lobbying at the State Capitol and having services at one of the oldest synagogues in a Madison park. They had a great and meaningful day coached by Barbara Weinstein, Legislative Director of the Religious Action Center in Washington, DC (check out her blog about her visit). Next week they will sponsor the all-camp Carnival…always a really fun time!
Tiferet spent a day on a canoe trip around Lac La Belle and then went to a nearby park where they had their studios conducted by our outstanding specialists. Tiferet campers are also working hard preparing for their presentations next Shabbat welcoming their parents.
Kallah had a great week full of activities…they had a hiking trip nearby and then had Yom LumberJackandJill. There was an inordinate amount of plaid everywhere. In addition, today they put on a Hebrew Carnival with lots of contests and games in Hebrew. They will be heading home on Sunday with lots of wonderful memories and lots of new friends.
Moshavah had a great week in camp and a fun night putting on their own version of Fractured Fairy Tales. Now they are getting ready for the last four-day trips. They will be on their way on Sunday going hiking, biking, canoeing and rock climbing.
Chalutzim is celebrating their last Shabbat as they are packing and getting ready to go home on Sunday. Trying to keep their spirits up, Chalutzim campers had a great pool party splashing and frolicking around.
Our Tour La’Agam bikers have made it all the way through the Upper Peninsula and down to Traverse City, MI, where they are spending a restful Shabbat. This week they’ll head down the coast of Michigan to Muskegon, where they will take the ferry back to Wisconsin and then bike the last several miles to OSRUI, in time to join us next Shabbat.
We are moving into our last week of camp for the summer of 2012, celebrating the largest number of campers ever. It promises to have been one of the best seasons ever and we are already planning for next year, with registration opening at the beginning of October. Sixty years of Jewish life have been marked by great times with great kids.
Have a wonderful Shabbat and we look forward to the same!
Jerry Kaye, Director Susan Alexander, Associate Director Solly Kane, Assistant Director