Shabbat Matot-Mas-ei 2016
What an incredible seventh week it has been at OSRUI. We cannot believe that we are one week away from closing day of Summer 2016!
After a week of limud (Jewish learning), omanut (art), water slides, tubing, trips to sculpture gardens, ivrit (Hebrew), Maccabiah (color wars), Oconomostock (Tzofim led, camp-wide talent show), British Hagganah, 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 7 of Summer 2016.
Chalutzim chanichim (campers) finished up their ivrit (Hebrew) immersion in their various kitot (classes). It’s amazing how far they have come in the past 7 weeks. They challenged the high line at etgar, a right only reserved for Chalutzim. On Wednesday night, they were participants in British Hagganah, a simulation throughout the entire camp involving horses, golf carts, running, jumping, hiding, and all around fun, while learning a lot about Israel’s history and about the actions that eventually became the core of the Israel Defense Force. The Chalutzim campers were the ruach leaders of the various Maccabiah teams and lead a lone soldier program for other eidot. As the session comes to a close, Chalutzim prepares for final banquet, beit café, and final Havdalah!
Moshavah spent a rare week in camp but did not waste a moment having an incredible time. They had tzahal (army) night, where they learned formations, marches, and Krav Maga. They learned about the women of the wall movement and were participants in a story telling class. On Sunday, they embark on their final trip, hiking, biking, rock climbing and canoeing. On Monday, be on the lookout for a two-part Mosh Monday series with a blog from our Mosh segel and a four-part blog from the Mosh madrichim, who compiled an extensive report about the various Mosh trip locations, the history, nature, topography, and so much more!
Gesher started the week off with a grand slam by having a tailgate BBQ in Jerry’s backyard, followed by a trip to see the Madison Mallards defeat Green Bay in a fun day at the baseball field! Everyone got a new hat and used the seventh inning stretch to sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”. On Tuesday, Gesher had erev tzrif that featured such events as pontoon rides, pool parties, and campfires with s’mores. Thursday was Maccabiah and everyone is looking forward to tie dye and folk night evening program on Saturday.
Tiferet spent their week learning and experiencing new things in studio, but not physically in studio. They got lost in a sculpture garden and the park. On Monday, they supported their friends in Tzofim at Oconomostock and supported their peers who performed in the show with acts like tap dance and original songs. They experienced an incredible evening program called “Human Library” where the chanichim picked members of their tzevet who told their favorite stories, personal or fiction. Some of the stories came from the directors, the specialists, and the madrichim of Tiferet and other eidot. Music studio continued to perfect their original pieces and they learned new ivrit words in ivrit skits. They are preparing for their final show on August 13th. Parents – don’t forget to RSVP.
In Kibbutz HaTzofim, all you need to know is that it was Oconomostock week, the second session talent show lead by Tzofim. This summer, Oconomo-Lost debuted where the roshei eidot (played by Tzofim chanichim) got lost on a trust walk and tried to find their way back to OSRUI, but not before running into Sussy, White Eyes, the Kool-Aid man, and Benech Mayim. Meanwhile at camp, Jerry, Susan, and Paula tried to keep the camp running. In the end, Albert saved the roshes and saved the day! While this all went on, they hosted the talent show portion of the show featuring dancing, singing, comedy, interpretive poetry dance, instruments, and so much more. When they weren’t dancing and singing, Tzofim had a pool party and went on a scavenger hunt to find the “borrowed” Oconomowonka sign. They played a unit wide game of meet the counselor, learned about privilege in limudim, and experienced a yam l’yam program (sea to sea) lead by our Mishlachat
Kallah finished an amazing third and final week. They had Yom Lumberjack where they kicked off the day with a delicious s’morning breakfast around the medurah (fire pit) and discussed how important teva (nature) is to each of us. Everyone wore flannel and got their own lumberjack beard! They had Slip n Slunch on Bayit Hill with giant Slip ‘n Slide and pizza lunch…at the same time.. According to every camper who tried the Slip ‘n Slide, “it was awesome!” Kallah had the unique opportunity to experience what many of their ancestors went through if they entered Ellis Island and what challenges Jewish immigrants went through when they made America their home. They learned how each of us can make a difference in the world and change something that is unjust. They specifically talked about Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, Anat Hoffman and Women of the Wall, and Rabbi Jonah Pesner from the RAC’s work on the prevention of gun violence. They closed the week with tie dying their special Kallah Gimmel 2016 shirts and of course today is their last FacePaint Friday! This weekend will be bittersweet as Kallah will hold their banquet, beit café, and celebrate their final Shabbat together ending with a final Havdalah.
Our bike riders on Tour La’Agam spent the week in Paradise … Paradise, Michigan, that is, and the beautiful Upper Peninsula! After spending Shabbat near Manistique, they headed to Newberry on Sunday, stopping for a delicious lunch and wonderful hospitality at the home of the Shapiro family, who hosts the group every summer. Then it was on to Paradise, Brimley, Brevoort Lake and through the Straits of Mackinaw to the “mitten,” or lower peninsula of Michigan. Needless to say, they are ready for a restful Shabbat.
It has been an amazing and exciting second week here at OSRUI! Sadly, this Sunday is closing day for Chalutzim and Kallah Gimmel. We had an incredible time having you at camp, getting to know you, and showing you all the amazing things we do here at 600 Lac La Belle Drive! This is not goodbye, but l’hitraot, see you next summer!
Shabbat Shalom from all of us at OSRUI!
Jerry Kaye, Director Susan Alexander, Associate Director Albert Marks, Senior Assistant Director