Introducing Our Summer Leadership Team (Mazkirut)
We are so excited to introduce our 2022 Leadership Team (Mazkirut)! This team is comprised of staff members who help oversee all of the areas of camp. Their leadership will be incredibly valuable towards creating a great experience for our campers, staff and larger community!
This blog will be updated periodically as more staff join the team!
Matt Shabelman, Kallah Rosh Eidah
Matt is so excited to be returning to camp in Kallah! This will be Matt’s 11th year at camp and his 5th as a staff member, 3 of those years being in Kallah! He is a senior at Indiana University studying Political Science and Sport Marketing Management. At Indiana, Matt is a director on the Student Athletic Board and very involved with IU Hillel. He is an avid sports fan, and loves running around with campers playing silly games and other fun sports.
Kallah holds a special place in Matt’s heart as his favorite unit at camp! He loves getting to introduce new chanichim (campers) into OSRUI culture through all the great traditions of Kallah. His favorite part about Kallah is face paint Fridays along with the greatest event in camp history…Kallahlapalooza! He is so excited to get back to Oconomowoc and make this summer the best Kallah summer of all time! K-A-L-L-A-H KALLAH WOO!
Dani Shaykin, Tzofim Rosh Eidah
Dani is beyond excited to be the Rosh Eidah for Tzofim, the unit where she spent her first summer as a camper! OSRUI has been her second home for twelve summers and is stoked to be returning to Tzofim after being the S’ganit (Assistant Unit Head) last summer. Dani is from Skokie, IL, but spends the year in Grand Rapids, MI where she is a senior at Grand Valley State University. She is studying nursing and on track to graduate in December, where she hopes to be an OB nurse in Chicago!
Dani is looking forward to another fun summer in Kibbutz HaTzofim! She loves spending her days on Tzofim hill, in the refet (farm), and around the gan (garden). There’s nothing like singing silly songs in her tie dye and high socks surrounded by the teva (nature). Dani has also started to think about and prepare for her favorite night of the summer, Oconomostock (a Tzofim-planned all-camp talent show in August). Dani is counting down the days until Tzofim is full of smiling chanichim (campers)!
Dani Shaykin, Tzofim Rosh Eidah
Dani is beyond excited to be the Rosh Eidah for Tzofim, the unit where she spent her first summer as a camper! OSRUI has been her second home for twelve summers and is stoked to be returning to Tzofim after being the S’ganit (Assistant Unit Head) last summer. Dani is from Skokie, IL, but spends the year in Grand Rapids, MI where she is a senior at Grand Valley State University. She is studying nursing and on track to graduate in December, where she hopes to be an OB nurse in Chicago!
Dani is looking forward to another fun summer in Kibbutz HaTzofim! She loves spending her days on Tzofim hill, in the refet (farm), and around the gan (garden). There’s nothing like singing silly songs in her tie dye and high socks surrounded by the teva (nature). Dani has also started to think about and prepare for her favorite night of the summer, Oconomostock (a Tzofim-planned all-camp talent show in August). Dani is counting down the days until Tzofim is full of smiling chanichim (campers)!
Will Rivlin, Gesher Rosh Eidah
Sam Cohen, Moshavah Rosh Eidah
Sam is thrilled to be spending another summer as the “Roshavah of Moshavah”! This will be his 11th straight summer at camp and 6th on staff; there is absolutely no place he’d rather spend his summers than Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Sam is originally from Round Lake Beach, Illinois and currently lives in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago! Sam graduated from Indiana University – Bloomington where he studied Education and is currently the Youth Engagement Coordinator at Temple Sholom of Chicago. You can find Sam exploring coffee shops in the city, playing with his cats Simba and Zazu, listening to his favorite band, Steely Dan, or day-dreaming of hiking in the teva (nature).
Moshavah is Sam’s home away from home. Mosh is an incredible unit where Sam has made some of the greatest life-long friends and challenged himself to learn and grow! He is thrilled to get back to going on tiyulim (trips) and hanging out on Mosh Hill! He is excited to help build a kehilah (community) of teva-loving chanichim (campers). Sam cannot wait to strap up his chacos and get down to business in Moshavah HaTeva 2022!
Sam Cohen, Moshavah Rosh Eidah
Sam is thrilled to be spending another summer as the “Roshavah of Moshavah”! This will be his 11th straight summer at camp and 6th on staff; there is absolutely no place he’d rather spend his summers than Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Sam is originally from Round Lake Beach, Illinois and currently lives in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago! Sam graduated from Indiana University – Bloomington where he studied Education and is currently the Youth Engagement Coordinator at Temple Sholom of Chicago. You can find Sam exploring coffee shops in the city, playing with his cats Simba and Zazu, listening to his favorite band, Steely Dan, or day-dreaming of hiking in the teva (nature).
Moshavah is Sam’s home away from home. Mosh is an incredible unit where Sam has made some of the greatest life-long friends and challenged himself to learn and grow! He is thrilled to get back to going on tiyulim (trips) and hanging out on Mosh Hill! He is excited to help build a kehilah (community) of teva-loving chanichim (campers). Sam cannot wait to strap up his chacos and get down to business in Moshavah HaTeva 2022!
Lee Naftali, Chalutzim Rosh Eidah
Lee can’t wait to be back in Oconomowoc this Summer as she will return as Chalutzim Rosh Eidah!
Lee grew up in Kfar Saba, Israel, and is currently living in Tel Aviv where she works for Israel and Jewish Educational organizations. She holds a BA in Education and International Relations from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem and is eager to spend another great summer at OSRUI.
Lee’s favorite thing about being a madricha (counselor), Sganit (Assistant Unit Head) and Rosh Eidah (Unit Head) in Chalutzim is speaking Ivrit(Hebrew) with our chanichim (campers) and witnessing the unique bonds they form with their Israeli madrichim. From singing Israeli songs after each meal, to hearing fascinating stories about life in Israel, the chanichim are truly embracing their Jewish identity. Lee is looking forward to seeing what great adventures this summer will bring and is already counting down the days until Chalutzim’s first Shabbat singing our favorite song “Eretz Yisrael Sheli”.
Ethan Stone, Avodah Rosh Eidah
Ethan can’t wait to be back with our Avodaniks at camp this summer as Rosh Avodah! Originally from Overland Park, KS, Ethan grew up attending OSRUI’s sister camp in Indiana, Goldman Union Camp Institute. He is a graduate of Brandeis University and majored in Latin American and Latino Studies. Ethan currently works in Boulder, Colorado at Congregation Har HaShem as the Youth Director and is an OSRUI CLASP fellow.
This will be Ethan’s second summer at OSRUI! He loved getting to know the camp and community as Rosh Avodah last summer, and he can’t wait to work with this year’s Avodah Corps too!
Ethan Stone, Avodah Rosh Eidah
Ethan can’t wait to be back with our Avodaniks at camp this summer as Rosh Avodah! Originally from Overland Park, KS, Ethan grew up attending OSRUI’s sister camp in Indiana, Goldman Union Camp Institute. He is a graduate of Brandeis University and majored in Latin American and Latino Studies. Ethan currently works in Boulder, Colorado at Congregation Har HaShem as the Youth Director and is an OSRUI CLASP fellow.
This will be Ethan’s second summer at OSRUI! He loved getting to know the camp and community as Rosh Avodah last summer, and he can’t wait to work with this year’s Avodah Corps too!
Kayley Levine, Chaverim Rosh Eidah
After a short hiatus from camp Kayley is thrilled to be returning to camp for her fourth year and first as Rosh Chaverim!
Kayley graduated from Illinois State University in 2019 with a degree in Recreation and Park Administration. This will be Kayley’s 7th summer working at a camp. She lives the 10 for 2 life (meaning she lives all year waiting for two months at camp!). Kayley is originally from Mundelein, IL and now works as an early childhood teacher at The Board of Jewish Education.
When Kayley isn’t on Pinterest finding fun new activities for her students to do or planning her next dream vacation, she can be found playing with her three dogs.
Kayley is excited to bring the magic of OSRUI to the next generation and is thrilled to be spending her summer with all the staff and faculty children at camp.
Leah Sherin, Rosh Hadracha
Leah is so excited to be returning to OSRUI this summer as Rosh Hadracha (Staff learning director)! In this role, Leah will run the Machon (first year counselor) training and learning program, serve as one of our Rashei Shira (Head Songleaders), and help support continued learning for all of our staff members throughout the summer. This will be her 13th summer at OSRUI. Previously, Leah has been a madricha (counselor), songleader, and Rosh Eidah (unit head). Leah graduated from Brandeis University in 2019 and is currently a first-year Rabbinical Student at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion.
Leah is especially excited to be working with the Machon program this summer! Being a madrich/a (counselor) at camp is such a fun, special experience that also comes with big responsibilities and opportunities for growth, and Leah is looking forward to supporting the first-time Madrichim and helping to build the next generation of amazing OSRUI Madrichim! Leah is also looking forward to working with the OSRUI Songleaders to help create another summer of inspired, ruach-filled services, song sessions, and of course Shabbat Shira!
Leah Sherin, Rosh Hadracha
Leah is so excited to be returning to OSRUI this summer as Rosh Hadracha (Staff learning director)! In this role, Leah will run the Machon (first year counselor) training and learning program, serve as one of our Rashei Shira (Head Songleaders), and help support continued learning for all of our staff members throughout the summer. This will be her 13th summer at OSRUI. Previously, Leah has been a madricha (counselor), songleader, and Rosh Eidah (unit head). Leah graduated from Brandeis University in 2019 and is currently a first-year Rabbinical Student at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion.
Leah is especially excited to be working with the Machon program this summer! Being a madrich/a (counselor) at camp is such a fun, special experience that also comes with big responsibilities and opportunities for growth, and Leah is looking forward to supporting the first-time Madrichim and helping to build the next generation of amazing OSRUI Madrichim! Leah is also looking forward to working with the OSRUI Songleaders to help create another summer of inspired, ruach-filled services, song sessions, and of course Shabbat Shira!
Micah Brandhandler, Rosh Yetzirah
Micah is thrilled to be back at OSRUI as Rosh Yetzirah (Creative Activities). Micah has been the Rosh Eidah of both Avodah and Chalutzim, he has been Rosh Shira (Head Songleader), and has spent many summers before that as a counselor! This is Micah’s 20th Summer at camp and 15th on staff!
During the year Micah is a music teacher in Lemont, IL where he teaches general music, choir, and runs the musical theater program. He loves to play music, play sports, and direct plays. Micah believes that this will be the best summer yet and is counting down the days until Opening day!
Shira Brandhandler, Rosh Recreation
Shira is thrilled to be returning home to Oconomowoc this summer as Rosh Recreation! This will be her 15th summer at camp, most of which were spent as a madrichah and Rosh Eidah in Tzofim. Shira graduated from the University of Michigan in 2019 where she studied Judaic Studies and Biopsychology. Now, she works at Temple Jeremiah in Northfield, IL as the Youth and Family Engagement Director.
Shira is so excited for all of the fun that will be had in and around the Mercaz Sport (Sport Center) this summer! She is especially looking forward to trying the high ropes course, building the perfect campfire for s’mores, and learning to play new games alongside the chanichim (campers). Shira loves that all of the recreation options at camp offer opportunities to for chanichim to challenge themselves and build friendships through fun and teamwork. Shira can’t wait to get back to camp and is counting down the days until the first gaga game of the summer!
Shira Brandhandler, Rosh Recreation
Shira is thrilled to be returning home to Oconomowoc this summer as Rosh Recreation! This will be her 15th summer at camp, most of which were spent as a madrichah and Rosh Eidah in Tzofim. Shira graduated from the University of Michigan in 2019 where she studied Judaic Studies and Biopsychology. Now, she works at Temple Jeremiah in Northfield, IL as the Youth and Family Engagement Director.
Shira is so excited for all of the fun that will be had in and around the Mercaz Sport (Sport Center) this summer! She is especially looking forward to trying the high ropes course, building the perfect campfire for s’mores, and learning to play new games alongside the chanichim (campers). Shira loves that all of the recreation options at camp offer opportunities to for chanichim to challenge themselves and build friendships through fun and teamwork. Shira can’t wait to get back to camp and is counting down the days until the first gaga game of the summer!