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 Rubin family (Marc, Julie, Sara and Dan) got connected to OSRUI and why they became donors.
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 Rubin family (Marc, Julie, Sara and Dan) got connected to OSRUI and why they became donors.
The Rubin Family – Dan, Sara, Marc and Julie
Dan and Sara at OSRUI – 1999
QUESTION: Tell us about your family’s connection to OSRUI!
JULIE AND MARC: We raised our kids in Southwestern Ohio and our lifelong friends, Denise and Michael Heimlich, were closely associated with OSRUI. Sara was a camper beginning in 1995 in Tzofim, Moshavah, Chalutzim and Avodah. Dan was a camper starting in 1999 in Tzofim, Moshavah, Chalutzim and Avodah and was on staff for two summers.
QUESTION: Why was camp a special place for your family over the years?
JULIE AND MARC: For many years, it was the kids’ home away from home each summer. Living in southwestern Ohio, few of their friends were Jewish. Both Sara and Dan found that camp was a place that gave them time and space to try new things and figure out which Jewish aspects they wanted to incorporate into their lives.
Dan and Sara at OSRUI – 1999
SARA: Camp meant having friends that were Jewish and incorporating services, prayers, and Shabbat into daily living. My memories include coming to visit friends in Chicago. It comes full circle that I live with my family on the North Shore and am part of the Chicago Jewish community.
DAN: Some of my best friends were from camp, and have lasted until today, attending each other’s weddings and most recently, getting together with our families. Camp is also where I found a large part of my Jewish identity.
QUESTION: As former parents and alumni, your family gives generously to camp as donors. Why is this important to you?
JULIE AND MARC: Frankly, camp was some of the most fun my kids had growing up! It is important to donate to make sure OSRUI has the resources to operate and that any family that desires to give their children a similar camp experience is able to.
TOP: Erik Sirk, Scott Kaplan and Dan Rubin as Campers.
BOTTOM: Erik, Scott, and Dan 20 Years Later!
QUESTION: Giving Tuesday is coming up next week on November 29th. In your opinion, why should someone give a gift to OSRUI this year?
MARC, JULIE, SARA, AND DAN: It’s important for kids to have a safe space to make friends, explore nature, and find their Jewish identity. Especially now, kids may have a hard time finding these experiences at home and families may be strained to fund a summer at camp. If you have the ability to give, we would highly encourage you to consider a donation to OSRUI this year.
Thank you to the Rubin family for your support of OSRUI!
To make your gift on Giving Tuesday, contact Lani Hart, Development Director, at lhart@urj.org.