SHABBAT  EIKEV  2013

Our week started out with an all-camp sendoff on Sunday morning for Tour La’Agam as they began their trek around Lake Michigan.  It was a wonderful moment in our camp week.  After a week of riding they are settled in for a much needed Shabbat rest. We continued with our annual Judaica Bowl last Sunday night:  Kallah vs. Tzofim, Gesher vs. Tiferet and Chalutzim vs. Moshavah.  It was a remarkable example of the depth of knowledge that our campers have.  Kallah, Tiferet and Chalutzim won their rounds, followed by staff members showing how much they knew as well.  It was really exciting and great fun.

Kallah celebrated Americana with an Old MacDonald’s Farm program:  they went on a hay ride, had a square dance and “bargained” in our makeshift  fruit market.  In addition, they had a Sports Night on Wednesday when they played basketball, floor hockey and dodge ball and on another night they enjoyed folk night with Gesher. Yesterday in Kallah all of the counselors dressed in their college garb and cheered and sang school songs.

Kibbutz HaTzofim went on a trip to Israel called Sh’vil Yisrael, led by some of our Israel staff.  Limudim for Kallah and Tzofim is focusing on K’hillah Kedoshah (holy community).  This week campers learned about tallitot and how to make the knots in the fringes.  We now have campers walking around with their tzitzit attached to their belts, backpacks and sweatshirts, exhibiting their new found knowledge. Tuesday night they had a dance led by DJ Steve Szaks, an OSRUI alum.  They were joined by campers in other units.  And, of course, Tzofim campers are working on Oconomostock, OSRUI’S talent show taking place next week.

Tiferet had a great week continuing in their arts study.  Last night they went to a Shakespeare play in nearby Delafield.  On Wednesday, they toured the Milwaukee Art Museum, learning how to study and interpret different works of art.  Tiferet campers also had a limud session with their faculty on Modern Israeli Poetry.  All of their studios began preparing for their final presentations to share with their parents on Saturday, August 10th.  Tiferet Bet parents should have received an email about that today.  

Moshavah had four sets of very successful tiyulim, including rock climbing at Devils’ Lake, biking, hiking and canoeing on the Wisconsin River.  Just learning about their gear and getting ready for their trips took a great deal of time on Sunday, before pushing off on Monday and returning yesterday. And Moshavah celebrated five birthdays yesterday!!

Gesher was sure not left behind…yesterday they went out of camp to undertake a variety of tzedakah projects, working at the Hunger Task Force Farms, Milwaukee Botanical Gardens (the Domes) and a local food pantry.  In the afternoon they enjoyed a picnic lunch and a visit to the Discovery World Museum. 

Chalutzim topped off their week with Yom Tzahal (Israeli Army Day) led by their Israeli staff. They did exercises, had a silent lunch and learned to “respect their superior officers!”  And best of all, a large number of Chalutzim campers are now speaking Hebrew all day and loving it!

Speaking of loving it – we were visited by the American Camp Association inspection team, who were mightily impressed by everything they saw at OSRUI – so impressed that we received a perfect score!

Finally, we are pleased to welcome Rabbi Bradley Solmsen, Director of the URJ Campaign for Youth Engagement, who is our guest this weekend along with his wife, Aliza Kline – an OSRUI Alum, of course.

We can’t quite believe that the summer is almost over, but there are lots of opportunities to be at OSRUI after camp:

Aug. 15-18  Tzofim Dalet – for families and adults who want to experience Kibbutz HaTzofim.
Aug. 17        Alumni Day – Spend Shabbat with Tzofim Dalet
Oct. 11-13   Mother & Daughter Kallah – Registration opens August 1st and this program fills fast!
Oct. 17-20  Shabbat Shira – OSRUI’s newest musical experience
Nov. 15-17  Father & Son Kallah – Registration opens August 1st.

See our website for information on all of these programs.  www.osrui-old-production333.urjyouth.com

Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom,

Jerry Kaye, Director            Susan Alexander, Associate Director