Every once in a while, we like to give a shout out to the people who make up our camp community. Without all of you, OSRUI would not be the magical place we all know it to be!
We are excited to share how the Riskin family (Shelley, Gary, Justin, and Micah) got connected to OSRUI and why they became donors.
Left to Right: Shelley, Micah, Gary, and Justin during a winter Chavurah Retreat (photo by Barry Rustin Photography)
Shelley and Micah at OSRUI
QUESTION: Tell us more about your family’s connection to OSRUI.
SHELLEY: I grew up in the Chicagoland area and was a camper from 1965 to 1967 and then a counselor. My sons, Micah and Justin, were campers in the 1990s and early 2000’s. Micah served on staff as a counselor/unit head until 2011 and joined the OSRUI Board of Governors in 2021.
QUESTION: What were your top takeaways from your time at OSRUI?
SHELLEY: Camp was a completely immersive Jewish experience that I will never forget. Everyone I encountered was passionate about Jewish life and in addition to my own BJBE Rabbi Mark S. Shapiro, the rabbis I met opened my eyes to what Judaism can look like. It inspired me to stay involved in the Jewish community in many ways throughout adulthood.
MICAH: I am thankful for the friendships I built at camp that endure to this day. I feel that OSRUI prepared me for college and the working world by teaching what it means to live in a community and to value the opinions and inputs of others.
Shelley and Micah at OSRUI
QUESTION: Why did you choose to stay involved with camp? What has that looked like for you?
MICAH: My mom (Shelley) has stayed involved through OSRUI retreats and financial support. I wanted to find a way to give back to a place that shaped who I am today. I am grateful for the opportunity to build relationships with alumni leaders across generations on the Board and look forward to continuing to learn and build a community that cares about OSRUI going forward.
QUESTION: Why do you choose to give to camp as donors?
SHELLEY & MICAH: We received scholarships to attend OSRUI and today, we give annually to the Scholarship Fund so future campers have the same opportunity we were lucky enough to experience. Our family is glad to support the unique bonds and relationships built at camp for another generation.
Micah as a camper in front of the Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
Thank you to the Riskin family for your support of OSRUI!
To learn more about how to get involved with volunteer opportunities at camp, contact Lani Hart, Development Director, at lhart@urj.org.