by Elana Gordon, Moshavah Rosh Eidah
Shalom!
My name is Elana Gordon and I will be the rosh eidah (unit head) in Moshavah this summer. I just recently graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Spanish. I eventually plan on attending physical therapy school. This coming August, I will be participating in a program called Avodah: the Jewish Service Corps. Avodah is a yearlong program that attempts to use community building and social advocacy to fight poverty in big cities in America. My passion for social justice work in my own community is deeply rooted in and inspired by my Jewish values and upbringing.
This will be my 13th summer at camp, my fourth on staff in Moshavah. The past two summers I have had the pleasure of being the Moshavah s’gnait rosh eidah (assistant unit head) and I am very excited to take on this new role as a rosh eidah this summer. As a chanicha (camper), Mosh was my favorite unit. I love the outdoors and I was always drawn to the challenge that the tiyulim (trips) provided me.
I love all of the tiyulim so much! On the canoe trip, I have a blast navigating my way down the Black River and the Wisconsin River, paddling past sandbars and around islands. I am always amazed by the wildlife we see on the river – the fish below and the birds flying overhead. … The hiking trip leaves me feeling especially connected to the teva (nature). With only the aid of our hiking boots and backpacks, we trek into forests and through prairies, forming bonds with each other and with the beauty around us. … There is almost nothing I love more in the world then riding a bicycle! On the bike trip we get the opportunity to ride along in the lush countryside in Wisconsin as well as through lovely and quaint communities along the trail. We become one with our bikes, enjoying the challenge of peddling up a hill as well as the reward of coasting down the other side. … On the rock climbing trip we get to experience Devil’s Lake, a beautiful state park set between two gorgeous, wooded bluffs. We have the chance to push ourselves out of our comfort zones through climbing, bouldering, and scrambling on real rock faces!
The Moshavah staff has already been at camp for more than a week! We began by getting our Wilderness First Aid training so we are prepared for anything that might come our way this summer. The staff then went on a trip of their own to come together as a Moshavah tzevet (staff) and to brush up on all of their camping skills. The past several days the Tzofim and Moshavah staffs have been working as a team to put together our beds, clean out our shelves and raise our tents that will become our homes for the summer. We can’t wait for all of the chanichim to get here!