Shabbat Shalom from OSRUI

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Shabbat Balak 2016

What an incredible fifth week it has been at OSRUI and first week for almost 371 campers. After an amazing and beautiful opening day, our chanichim (campers) moved into their eidot (units) with the help of our wonderful madrichim (counselors), moomchim (specialists), and segel (faculty).

After a week of climbing etgar (challenge), riding horses, waterskiing, dance, drama, photography, art, sports, and so much more, Shabbat is here, a sacred and beloved time at camp.

Before we get clean and we put on our Friday night best, before we join together in prayer, before we tune our guitar strings and warm up our voices, before we prepare to rest, we take a look back at the incredible week that was Week 5 of Summer 2016.

Chalutzim had an incredible week that was highlighted by the annual three-day canoe trip.  For the first time this summer, our madrichim in Chalutzim broke their ivrit-only pact and spoke the to chanichim in English.  There were laughs, songs, Israeli food, bonding, and incredible experiences!  It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for not only our chanichim, but also our Israelis as well.  This week, the ivrit kitot (classes) learned about Israeli music.  The evening programs this week were outstanding, one lead by our lone soldier sicha and the other, about meditation, led by two of the chanichim.

Moshavah prepared to depart for their first trip on Sunday with trip orientation which includes learning to erect tents, learning how to pack hiking packs, and sharing previous trip stories. They had an amazing week full of friends, fun, and teva (nature).  They selected their va’ad names, and had a wonderful limud on the prophets’ position on gun control.  The week also included a pool party and three birthdays!

Gesher opened with great fanfare and excitement.  Everyone was excited to see old friends and make new ones.  They put their fears into the fire, helping Gesher campers realize and identify their fears and thinking how they can conquer them.  The new chugim were announced, including, but not limited to, ceramics thoughts ‘n crafts, leadership, and Teva.  They opened the session with “meet the rosh eidah” with Becky Dolinko and had an amazing time swimming at the pool and the lake.

Tiferet opened the second part of the summer with an exploration of shir hashirim (Song of Songs). On Yom Get Out of the Heat, they joined Gesher for some fun in the sun in the pool madness. Tiferet asked amazing questions at their questions program.  They are learning Hebrew through art in ivrit and the Tiferet shuk opened for the first time to much excitement with pancakes and Torah.

In Kibbutz HaTzofim, they are 100 chanichim strong and it shows with the cheers and songs echoing from downstairs.  Today, after much build-up and expectation, the Oconomostock, Tzofim’s talent show, theme was revealed!  What could it be? You will just have to wait to find out.  They played an amazing game of human give and had an all-unit trust walk to help build the kehilah (community).  They picked their va’ad names and made bead bracelets to remember the values of their ancestors

Kallah had an amazing first week in the Kallah-only campus, now with the brand new and awe-inspiring, tzevet (staff) built Beit T’filah. They met Rosh Z’man, the time traveling man who teaches us about the history of the Jewish people. Kallah spent lots of time in the agam with all of our new friends battling our madrichim in a water balloon fight.  For the first time ever, Kallah Gimmel prayed in the new Kallah Beit T’filah. Since it is Friday, it was time for Shabbat Prep! To get ready for Shabbat, we made our very own challah, learned some great Israeli rikudei am (dances) songs for Shabbat Shira, and of course painted their faces (and arms) for Facepaint Friday.

Tour La’Agam pushed it into high gear with daily rides to prepare for their journey around Lake Michigan. They climbed the tower, swam in the pool, and went through extensive trip orientation learning how to erect tents, how to pack their bikes, and sharing previous trip stories.  They leave Sunday and we wish them nothing but safety and fun and cannot wait to hear about all their amazing adventures and see their crazy tan lines in three weeks.

It has been an amazing and exciting opening week here at OSRUI and we can’t wait for week six.

Shabbat Shalom from all of us at OSRUI!

Jerry Kaye, Director    Susan Alexander, Associate Director     Albert Marks, Senior Assistant Director