“Where thoughts go, energy flows.  Make sure you focus on the rainbows and not the rain,  always look for the blessing.”

Opening day 2017 was yet another success!  The sun was shining, chanichim (campers) were smiling, madrichim (counselors) were filled with ruach, and parents were excited for their children to begin their OSRUI journeys.  Songs filled the air as cars and buses arrived and unloaded happy campers and a plethora of their belongings!  Campers photos were taken in OSRUI’s mobile photo booth, friendships bracelets were made on the lawn, frisbees were flying.  It truly felt like a summer to remember in-the-making.  

And then…    the deluge came!

The chanichim were safely escorted indoors for lunch.  And that’s where the magic happened.  Members of tzrifim (cabins) sat together at tables getting to know one another.  Games were played, conversations were continuous as connections began to naturally form.  Madrichim got to know their campers and campers got to know their madrichim.  It was clear that the bonds formed from this first moment were extraordinarily powerful due to the unique opportunity caused by the rain.  As lightening lit up the sky outside, a special light lit up Gesher’s space inside of the chadar ochel (dining room).  

This is where the rainbow appeared (figuratively, not literally).  OSRUI is the one place where rain does not dampen our day.  Instead, it creates opportunities for us to explore what it means to be at camp in a different way.  Even if we can’t swim in the pool, we get to dive into our conversations.  Even if we can’t put our faith in the ropes on the high ropes course and etgar, we can find new ways to put our faith in each other.  Madrichim are experts at bringing the ruach (spirit)  that happens on the sports fields into our indoor spaces with games and spontaneity.  At OSRUI, the weather doesn’t stop us from seeing rainbows wherever we go. At OSRUI, we count our rainbows, not our thunderstorms.

Click here to listen to Debbie Friedman’s Rainbow Blessing Song

by Gesher Aleph faculty members Mandy Herlich, Director of Lifelong Learning at Temple Beth-El in Northbrook, IL, and Rokki Parinello, Co-Principal of the Religious School at Congregation Beth Tikvah in Hoffman Estates, IL.