Shabbat Balak 2017

“Turning curses into blessings.”

What an amazing third week it has been at OSRUI.

After a week of opening days, trips into teva (nature), trips to the park, trips to the museum, fireworks, raps about the Declaration of Independence, Maccabiah at the Wizarding World of OSRUI, sports, art, limudim (Jewish learning), wilderness trips, ivrit (Hebrew), etgar (the challenge course), biking, hammocks, 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 3 of Summer 2017.

Chalutzim continued their ivrit immersion in their various kitot (classes). This week they took a trip to the park and went to see a movie featuring minions that are tsahhov (yellow) and like to say banana (banana). They had a wonderful visit from Rabbi Loren Sykes, director of the NFTY Heller High program in Israel, got to lead the Maccabiah games, and had a wonderful educational evening program where they learned about the early pioneers in Israel.

Moshavah completed their second trip going hiking, biking, rock climbing and canoeing.  Everyone is back at camp safe, happy, and clean! Do not worry though, they leave again on Sunday for trip three!  When they weren’t out exploring the amazing teva and wilderness of Wisconsin, Mosh was getting pumped for Maccabiah and everyone was getting ready for Shabbat!

Gesher Bet opened this week and it has been incredible!  It has been so exciting to meet new friends and see old ones as well!  They began the session by throwing their fears into the fire on the first night, which will help set them on the path to conquer their fears over the next two weeks and to achieve their goals. They enjoyed the fireworks and the Fourth of July activities.  Their chugim began with a smashing success with various ones led by their madrichim (counselors) (in addition to the chugim offered to every camper) like leadership, kite flying, mad science, and meditation.  They were so excited for Maccabiah and can’t wait to make amazing memories

Tiferet is working hard toward Mesibah, the camp-wide talent show this Saturday! They met the inspiration for their characters at a welcome lunch. The chanichim (campers) are getting ready for their song, dance, and cheers!!  They continued their intense and vigorous studio study in drama, art, dance, and music, yet were able to take a day to relax at the park.  They have been using their studio time and focus to explore the book of Esther and its interpretation through various forms of art.  They enjoyed an amazing trip the Milwaukee Museum of Art where they gained much inspiration for their various forms of art.  They spent the week enjoying a cabin night and artist’s night.

In Kibbutz HaTzofim, they welcomed Tzofim Bet to the downstairs zone for an incredible two weeks.  They completed teamwork exercises learning how Jews need to be there for each other.  They got adjusted to the unit and broke into their va’adot (committees) including the refet (farm) rotation. While everyone else in camp eats the traditional grilled cheese and tomato soup on Friday, Tzofim has Fiesta Friday with homemade, made-to-order quesadillas and this week is extra special as they added basil and chives that were grown in the gan (garden) right in Tzofim.

Kallah started their Bet session on July 3rd with a celebration of America and an amazing fireworks show the first night.  They had so much fun meeting their new friends and wonderful madrichim and have already gone swimming in both the breicha (pool) and the agam (lake).  They were so excited about Maccabiah and especially liked the end of the mashuganah race where they played leap frog and the tunnel game.  Kallah cannot wait for their first Shabbat together at camp!

Want to learn more about what’s going on at camp?  Check out our blog page!

Shabbat Shalom from all of us at OSRUI!