Gesher is here! We have been eagerly awaiting the start of this amazing eidah (unit) all summer, and I am happy to report that the long wait is finally over. It was just yesterday that the Gesher chanichim (campers) arrived, but I can already tell that this is going to be a session they will never forget. Upon arrival, it took mere seconds for old friendships to reignite and for new members of our community to be invited in and made to feel at home. During the past twenty-four hours, the Gesher chanichim became part of not only an eidah, but also a family.

Last night was a first for Gesher; we had a balloon release. After writing down their fears for the upcoming month on small pieces of paper, our chanichim attached those fears to biodegradable balloons using biodegradable string and watched them rise up into the clouds. As we saw our fears fade out of sight, one chanicha remarked, “Wow; that was really inspirational.” The release was an absolutely wonderful way to begin the session, as it not only allowed the chanichim to imagine their fears floating away, but also facilitated the idea that with a strong community, we can all individually conquer our fears. The picture below is of this inspiring moment.

Looking forward, Gesher has a lot going on. Tonight is our first Erev Tzrif (cabin night), and is sure to involve many amazing programs organized by our madrichim (counselors). Among other things, pool parties, bike rides and camp fires will be involved. Then tomorrow we will head to the breicha (pool) for a joint pool party with our good friends from Tiferet, and that evening, rock out at a Billy Jonas concert right here at OSRUI. In less than a week we are driving to Milwaukee for our first tiyul (fieldtrip), and while the chanichim don’t yet know where we are going, there is already great excitement about what this trip will bring. It will be the first of four tiyulim Gesher takes this session, and is sure to be an absolute blast.

It is incredible to think about how much we have accomplished in just one day, and how much more we as an eidah have left to do. Fieldtrips, pool parties, erev tzrifim, a Carnival, and so much more. Needless to say, Gesher is going to be a wild ride.