by Jami Goldberg, Gesher Rosh Eidah (Unit Head)

We’re halfway through our second week together, and this group of Gesher chanichim (campers) have created a beautiful kehilah (community). In fact, we’re making Gesher history – this is the biggest our eidah (unit) has ever been, and we are loving it! We’ve been able to run some really incredible tochniot erev (evening programs), such as “Naming Night”, when we named our pet fish. In Hebrew, the word for fish is dag. Therefore, we decided it was only fitting to name our fish kelev, which means dog! We also competed in a tzrif (cabin) lip-sync battle, we’ve learned about Israel with a special program from our mishlachat (Israeli staff), participated in a big game of Meet the Counselor, and even played Human Give, where each chanich got to win points for their team by performing funny talents and games!

One of the most special parts of Gesher is that we get to experience two different chugim (electives) each day, one run by our madrichim (counselors) and one run by camp’s moomchim (specialists). This session, we’ve officially changed the name of our first chug to “MadriChug” (madrichim + chug), and it has been a roaring success! The options for MadriChug are awesome – we have Story Telling, Sign Language, Cards & Games, Sports, Mad Science, Arts & Crafts, Music Appreciation, Leadership, and Reading. With all of these amazing choices, each chanich is able to find an activity that they’ll love!

Of course, we’re already looking forward to our next Shabbat together, and we have some other big events on the horizon as well! We’re beginning to prepare for our Gesher-led, end of summer Carnival, and we’re building excitement for next week’s rock climbing trip! There’s never a dull moment here in Gesher!

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.