by Jami Goldberg, Gesher Rosh Eidah (Unit Head), and Rabbi Amanda Greene, Gesher Segel (Faculty)
Mad Science Chug!
It has been an awesome session here in Gesher! One of our values is leadership, and our chanichim (campers) explored what it means to be a leader and created their own “vision boards” showing what leadership means to them. Also in Gesher, our chanichim have two chugim (electives) each day, one led by madrichim (counselors) and one led by moomchim (specialists). The chugim led by madrichim have been a huge hit this year, giving chanichim the opportunity to choose what they want to do each day. Some chugim offered this session include walking chug, sign language chug, dance chug, mad science chug, and reading chug. We’ve taken full advantage of the sunny days at camp, tubing at the lake and swimming in the pool. Our madrichim planned engaging tochniot erev (evening programs) each night and the excitement grew each day to find out what the various activities would be!
Dance Chug!
Rain or shine, each day was a spectacular one – and we heard that every night from our chanichim. At the end of each night we come together as an eidah (unit) for a special Gesher tradition called siyum (conclusion). The high energy of the day transforms into a reflective and calm moment. We gather in a circle and once everyone is quiet, we invite a few chanichim to share a highlight from their day. Here are just a few examples of highlights from camp so far: “making a new friend and feeling like we’ve known each other forever”, “going tubing with my cabin”, “when my cabin won the giant meet the counselor game”, and we’ve even heard something as simple as “dinner”. After the chanichim reflect on their day, we invite three madrichim to lead our three part version of kumbaya. The fourth part, the solo, is a chance for our chanichim to lead. They really look forward to leading in either a small group of friends or with their entire cabin. There’s a true sense of belonging and community during siyum that separates it from the rest of the day. Of all the things in Gesher, siyum is most special and we all look forward to ending our day together as an eidah. I can’t believe Gesher Aleph is almost over, but we’re so excited to spend a final Shabbat together with all of OSRUI!
Jami Goldberg is thrilled to spend her 12th summer at OSRUI as Rosh Eidah of Gesher! While she just returned from a semester abroad in Argentina, she’s always excited to travel home to Oconomowoc.
Rabbi Amanda Greene is Assistant Rabbi and Director of Lifelong Learning at Chicago Sinai Congregation in Chicago, IL.