SHABBAT VA’ETCHANAN 2014
It was a sad beginning to this week as Chalutzim, Kallah Gimmel and Tour La’Agam all went home on Sunday, after their amazing final banquets.
This past Sunday also marked the end of Hadracha, a special program for adults from small towns around the country who are leaders in their synagogues. They spent several days learning more about congregational life, leading t’fillot (services) and supporting their members under the tutelage of Rabbi David Fine, who is on the URJ staff overseeing small congregations. They had such a good time that they even came up with a “shtick” for Shabbat Shira. Barbara Gordon, of the OSRUI staff, made sure that all was in order for them each day and that they had the requisite evening at The Kiltie.
Things definitely picked up when Kallah Atid join us on Wednesday! They have spent the last few days trying every activity in camp: horseback riding, Etgar, swimming, tubing, all kinds of sports, and lots more. Now they are preparing for their first Shabbat at OSRUI.
Kibbutz HaTzofim 7th graders went on their overnight to the Kettle Moraine and left behind the 5th and 6th graders who had Yom 5/6. Their day was full of all kinds of fun activities, including making their own lunches and dinner. It was great and they all enjoyed it.
Last night was the fabulous Gesher Carnival, which is produced by the Gesher chanichim (campers) and enjoyed by everyone in camp. There were all kinds of activities where you can win prizes and redeem them for cotton candy, toy cars, sunglasses and more. Everyone loved the moon jump, but the dunk tank was probably the highlight, with rashei eidot (unit heads) and moomchim (specialists) sitting on the chair just waiting for the ball to hit the target.
Moshavah came back from their last four-day tiyulim (trips) when they went hiking, biking, canoeing and rock climbing. The reports were really great and they enjoyed them all, especially since the weather was beautiful all along. They are now ending their limudim and starting to pack up for the trip home on Sunday.
Tiferet is putting the finishing touches on all of their productions, which campers will get to see today and parents tomorrow. They have lots of surprises in store for us as they explain the Book of Psalms in so many new and creative ways. It has been a truly amazing month for them, as they learned more and new ways to express themselves.
But now a bit of sadness again as the horses go back home, the ski boats get winterized, Tzofim animals return to their farms and the tents come down in Tzofim and Moshavah. But get ready for lots of new information for Summer 2015, which promises to be ever more engaging as our greenhouse is up and new activities will spread out all around camp!
Shabbat Shalom and a Sweet Year from all of us at OSRUI
Jerry Kaye, Director Susan Alexander, Associate Director Max Weinberg, Assistant Director