I have a story to tell. But it’s one I usually keep a secret, so keep it under your kova (hat).

My first day at camp is infamous in my family — and perhaps even at camp. I wasn’t always Rafi Ellenson, Rosh Chalutzim. I was at first shy, scared little Rafi from New York City far, far away from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. As the story goes, I was the most homesick camper OSRUI had ever seen! My tears fell like rain! My wails sounded like sirens! In my tent, I at first refused to sleep, begging to catch the next flight to La Guardia airport safely near my family’s home in Manhattan.

But baruch hashem I didn’t, amiright or amiright? After a rough first few days and with the help of the amazing camp tzevet, I quickly got into the swing of things at camp and found myself loving being in the happiest place on Earth — OSRUI. I was a truly happy camper and I was a chanich in Gesher, Tiferet, Mosh, Tour La’agam and, of course, Chalutzim. I couldn’t imagine myself anyplace else.

Now it’s my fifth year on staff (12th at camp!!) and I’ve found one of my favorite things to do is teach young people all about Hebrew, Judaism, and our relationship as Jews to Israel. In fact, it’s what I’m studying at Goddard College, where I’ll be entering my final year. It’s even what my job is as Middle School Program Coordinator at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue! It’s a task that I really look forward to doing alongside our fantastic Chalutzim madrichim and segel.

I can’t wait to make this summer the best one yet for for our campers and to make real chiyuchim (smiles) burst from ear to ear like my madrichim did for me all those summers ago

Rafi is thrilled for the opportunity to be the Chalutzim Rosh Eidah for summer 2017! Having spent most of his life in New York, he has had the immense privilege of spending a lot of time in Israel to sharpen his Hebrew skills and expand his love for the language. But OSRUI is Rafi’s real home — this is his 12th summer at camp! It’s his 5th on staff, and 4th on Chalutzim staff having been a madrich, songleader, and, most recently, a music specialist.

Rafi is currently a student at Goddard College studying Jewish Studies and Music. He also spends his time playing guitar and percussion, reading every book about the Beatles he can get his hands on, and working as a teacher and curriculum coordinator at different Hebrew and Religious Schools around New York City. He someday hopes to pursue education professionally.

Rafi loves everything about Chalutzim from learning about Israel through the help of our fantastic mishlachat (Israeli staff) to spending time swimming at the breicha and agam (lake)! But Rafi’s favorite part of Chalutzim is the confidence the chanichim gain when they learn so much Hebrew and immerse themselves fully into the life-changing summer Chalutzim is. Rafi can’t wait to welcome the chanichim and for them to have an amazing time!