SHABBAT BALAK 2013

What a fabulous beginning to a great summer … kids have come from all over to meet new friends and learn more about themselves – many for the first time and some for five years or more.  Our staff is truly remarkable, having gotten off to a great start with their new campers. Among them are more than two dozen Israeli staff who have become a key part of our work both in the cabins and tents and in the many specialties that they conduct. These are fascinating young men and women who have joined with our American staff to create what promises to be great camping for your children.

KALLAH has moved into their new dining hall with great sound reduction so that it doesn’t sound like your head is in the bottom of a tin can. For those of you who have been at OSRUI before you know what we mean … if you haven’t been here before just be happy that your kids are in a great space for meals.  They’ve had a wonderful week of activities, including today’s always popular Facepaint Friday.  To prepare for Shabbat, they have made signs welcoming the whole camp tonight to Port Hall (their general meeting place) for Shabbat Shira.

KIBBUTZ HATZOFIM spent the past week getting used to living in tents and being part of life “downstairs.”  They have goats and lambs in their refet (farm) that they are taking good care of, not to mention the garden, which is on its way to growing vegetables and flowers.  The campers are taking this responsibility very seriously and want to make sure that the garden will bloom.

TIFERET is really enjoying their work in the arts … from music to drama to dance and visual arts, all of the Tiferet campers have already learned a great deal and are truly excited about what they are doing.  Just to keep it a bit more interesting, they have added a new chug (elective) to their program – science.  Every day the kids are learning about science as well as the regular work they do in the arts.

MOSHAVAH is preparing for their first set of trips, leaving in a few days.  They will be biking, hiking, rock climbing and canoeing throughout the State of Wisconsin.  Today, as part of their learning with our faculty, they have begun to know the nature around them ever more closely.  They all weathered their first rains this morning and everyone’s tent (yes, including Tzofim) made it through in great shape.  Mosh campers pitch in to help with meal prep, help lead t’filot (services), and another group is preparing Havdalah for tomorrow night.

CHALUTZIM campers are off and running with their Hebrew learning.  Their counselors speak rak Ivrit (only Hebrew) with them, and even though they try to get the staff to speak English, they only hear Hebrew. This coming Sunday they will receive their class books, which will add to their language access even more.  This is a great group of kids who will surely make a real difference in the camp’s future.  Next week they are planning Yom Avodah … a day of work that will beautify their part of OSRUI.  These are campers with enthusiasm for just about everything they do!

We wish you all a great Shabbat and a great week, as we are looking forward to the same here in Oconomowoc.

B’Shalom,

Jerry Kaye, Director            Susan Alexander, Associate Director