“Every time we confer love and blessing, every time we convey timeless values, we bring to fruition the promise of those who came before us, and set an example for those who will follow.”
What an incredible seventh week it has been at OSRUI. We cannot believe that we are one week away from closing day of Summer 2017!
After a week of limud (Jewish learning), omanut (art), water slides, tubing, trips to sculpture gardens, ivrit (Hebrew), #Commemorate48 Concerts with Rick Recht, Oconomostock (Tzofim lead, camp-wide talent show), 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 2017.
Chalutzim finished up their ivrit immersion in their various kitot (classes) by taking the same entrance exam again that they took to get into the program. We’re excited to see how much their scores have gone up! Chalutzim chanichim (campers) had the opportunity to challenge the high line at etgar, a right only reserved for Chalutzim. They participated in a Master Chef program with the rashei eidot (unit heads) serving as judges. They participated in a Shvil Yisrael (The Israel National Trail) program and had their last educational program about Israel and their newly found connection to our homeland. 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 a Shvil Yisrael program and got to tie-dye their Mosh shirts. On Sunday, they embark on their final trip. For a look at the power of these wilderness trips, check out the blog by Mosh segel member Scott Goode.
Gesher Gimmel had amazing adventures this week. Half of Gesher left for the first annual Gesher Rock Climbing trip to Devil’s Lake lead by the rosh eidah Becky Dolinko and Mosh segel member Scott Goode. The trip was full of fun, climbing, scrambling, great food, camp fires, and memories for a lifetime. The other half of Gesher stayed back at camp for Yom Kef which involved everyone getting to climb etgar and go tubing, having a sleep in and Shakshuka breakfast, participating in a water fight in the horseshoe and a fun game of trivia with Albert.
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 Saturday, they supported their friends in Tzofim at Oconomostock and supported their peers who performed in the show with acts like original songs and an acapella version of a Shabbat Shira favorite. They experienced an incredible evening program called “Human Library” where the chanichim picked members of our tzevet (staff) who told their favorite stories, personal or fiction. Tiferet parents: If you haven’t already RSVP’d for the final show on Sat. Aug. 12th, please do so ASAP.
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-Coming Alive-Stock debuted where the roshei eidot (played by Tzofim chanichim) ran into all the things around camp they come alive at night when everyone is asleep like spoon, pot, the kitchen van, etgar, the sailboats, Sang Hall, and the migdal (tower). Meanwhile at camp, Jerry, Susan, and Paula tried to keep the camp running. In the end, it was all a dream! 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 had erev ohel with a speed boat ride, story time in the Bayit, make your own ice cream, and a spa night. Yom 5/6 took over camp as the 5th and 6th graders did everything that was fun around camp while the 7th graders left for their hiking trip.
Kallah finished an amazing third and final week with Facepaint Friday. 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 and everyone wore flannel and got their own lumberjack beard! They had Slip n Slunch on Bayit Hill with a giant slip ‘n slide and pizza lunch … at the same time.. According to every camper who tried the slip ‘n slide, “it was awesome!” They tie-dyed their Kallah Gimmel shirts and hosted Yom Tikkun Olam where Kallah led the entire camp in mitzvah projects like painting plant pots, making dog toys for the Humane Society, making friendship bracelets, shirts, and posters for kids at Wisconsin Children’s hospital, making bracelets for the US Military, writing letters to members of the IDF, and packing “birthday cake in a bag” for the food pantry, This weekend will be bittersweet as Kallah will hold their banquet, Beit Café, and celebrate our final Shabbat together ending with a final Havdalah.
Tour La’Agam continued the ride around the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They stopped for lunch with our dear friends the Shapiros and enjoyed rest, relaxation, letters and packages from home, and good food. Their trek continued, including necessary stops for ice cream, rest in the hammocks, and enjoying the remarkable beauty that is Lake Michigan. They crossed over from the UP into the “mitten” or lower peninsula of Michigan. And, of course, they’re looking forward to a restful Shabbat.
It has been an exciting 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 time, at OSRUI 2018!
Shabbat Shalom from all of us at OSRUI
Jerry Kaye, Director Susan Alexander, Associate Director
Albert Marks, Senior Assistant Director