By Dr. Roberta Goodman, Education Director at North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe IL, and Gesher Segel

This week I went with Gesher, the unit for 7th through 9th graders with a leadership emphasis, to the Brewers baseball game. I felt a bit guilty when I told the chair of my education committee I couldn’t make a call on an important matter because I was going to a baseball game. Why exactly was my congregation paying me to spend time at a baseball game with campers from OSRUI? In fact, why does OSRUI send all of its units on trips away from camp?

We didn’t go to the game because everyone was a sports fan. No one kept a scorecard. We hardly knew the names of the players on either team. The lone opposing team advocate in our group was thrilled to

see his team had a man on base, only he missed the fact there were two men on base he was so deep in conversation with some campers. I couldn’t find anyone who could tell me what a slugging average was. About 15 minutes into the game, one of the counselors looked around and commented: “just how many of the campers are paying attention to the game? About 50% was the estimate.” I thought that generous. So what were we doing while at the game?

Relational Judaism is the buzz in the Jewish organizational world. The need for making relationships is foundational rather than programmatic. I think what was happening with our campers and staff was deeper. They were learning how to be relational, how to create lifelong friendships, and how to be humble – not seeing yourself as better than others as one camper shared in our morning service in response to what would make the world a better place. [The humility theme came out of our discussion of how the prophet Micah’s famous quote: “What is it that God requires of you human beings? To do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God”could influence life at camp and your life at home.]

For these 7th through 9th graders, they were spending time interacting with one another and the staff and faculty too – talking, laughing, watching, cheering, singing and of course eating. They negotiated some tough decisions for this age group like figuring out where and with whom they were sitting on the bus and at the game. They had to care for one another, cooperate with group members, and include newcomers – some campers and counselors are at OSRUI for the first time. They had to follow rules so everyone in the group could enjoy themselves.

One of my favorite things to watch was how they decided what to buy and with whom. They each had $5 from their canteen fund as well as any other cash they brought. They were careful in what they selected traveling in small groups with a counselor until they found what they liked. Some pooled their money to buy food and drink because $5 doesn’t go far at the ball park. Others shared what they purchased with their extra money with friends. This was quite sweet to watch! It is those small, everyday actions that often best convey one’s values.

They were without their electronic devices, building friendships, enjoying themselves and doing that outside of camp in the real world. One staff member summed it up when he enthusiastically commented:”It was great just spending time with the campers.”

At our nightly staff meeting, the comment was made this was one of the best camp trips ever.

The Brewers weren’t the only ones who hit home runs on this day. Go Team Gesher! Go Team OSRUI!