by Rabbi Norman Cohen, Rabbi Emeritus at Bet Shalom Congregation in Minnetonka, MN, and Avodah Segel (faculty)

This blog originally appeared in 2015, but since Avodah is so crucial to our Opening Day success, this blog bears repeating!

 

The word “Avodah” has a long history of different meanings.

It comes from the same Hebrew root as Eved, slave.

So it should not surprise us to learn that it literally means work.

 

In the days of the Bible, it also meant the Temple service, the sacrificial cult and the accompanying prayers: service to God.

 

When the Temple was destroyed, and animal sacrifice no longer was the vehicle for communion with the Deity, three things took its place: Torah, worship and the performance of deeds of lovingkindness. In fact, the Rabbis of the Mishnah said that avodah was one of the three things on which the world stood!

 

Today, avodah means labor, the kind that makes you sweat, the kind that produces significant measurable outcomes. The labor that is absolutely necessary for institutions to properly function.

 

At OSRUI, we have an Avodah corps that makes this camp function at its best. Often quietly performing daily tasks as well as special projects, these 17 year olds get things done and enable all the other eidot (units) to enjoy the myriad of activities that happen at camp. They collect the trash, they assemble tables and chairs for various programs, they help in the kitchen, serve in the office, work at the stables, assist at the Alpine Tower, support the nature staff, and just about everything else you can think of.

 

And they also study and pray. Twice a day, they participate in and lead their own prayers services with guitar, and even violin or piano on occasion. They study texts, Reform Jewish Responsa literature about sensitive contemporary issues that touch their lives. They improve their Hebrew skills, and they share their meals in a special part of the chadar ochel (dining room).

 

They ride through camp on the flatbed twice a day, picking up the trash and seeing many campers along the way. They are wonderful role models for the younger kids, who look up at the tractor going by, wondering, “when will I get to do that?

 

These high school seniors are no longer campers, but not yet full fledged staff. They are in a liminal state, transitioning into responsible young adult Jews. What better place to do that than in Avodah at OSRUI?  We owe them much, but they don’t come here for our gratitude.  They come here to grow into the menschen that they are becoming.