Parshat Va’etchanan: From Sh’ma to the Stars

Dear OSRUI Families,

It has been another great week at camp! Moshavah has returned from their first three-night trip of the summer, Tour La’Agam departed for their 1,000-mile bike ride around Lake Michigan, Tiferet enjoyed a visit to the Milwaukee Art Museum, and Kallah went on a hiking trip to Canada (maybe it wasn’t quite to Canada but it was Canada-themed day!). That is in addition to all the fun, learning, singing, and activities happening at camp!

This week’s Torah portion, Va’etchanan, includes the Ten Commandments as well as the words of the Sh’ma. The Sh’ma plays an important role at camp as it is recited during morning and evening services, and many cabins and tents end their night before bed saying the prayer together.

At camp it is easy for campers and staff to feel like we are in a “bubble” where little exists beyond our sacred community in Oconomowoc, but moments like reciting the Sh’ma together remind us of all that is beyond camp. Just as we are saying Sh’ma here, there are Jews everywhere ending their nights in the same way.

I had another moment this week that was a reminder of all that is beyond camp. One of my favorite parts of camp is that the darkness away from city lights makes for a star-filled sky. I was sitting with a couple of staff members outside in the evening on a clear night looking up at the sky. Sitting with these staff members we had a conversation about how while we are at camp it is easy to forget everything else, but looking up at the stars serves as a reminder of all that is out there in our world and beyond.

We had another reminder of the outside of camp world this week when Israel Counsel General to the Midwest Aviv Ezra visited camp last Shabbat with his family. It was Mr. Ezra’s first visit to OSRUI and he presented us with an official letter from the Israeli Government recognizing our commitment to Israel and Hebrew at camp. It was a great opportunity for us to share the power of Reform Judaism and OSRUI with Mr. Ezra and we were honored to welcome him to camp.

As we head into Shabbat, we are looking forward to the week ahead including Oconomostock, the all-camp talent show hosted by Tzofim, Gesher’s optional rock climbing trip, and so much more!

Tonight as we recite Sh’ma at camp, we will be thankful for both the world we have at camp and the world we have beyond camp.

Shabbat shalom,

Solly