SHABBAT MATOT 2014

It’s been a fabulous week at OSRUI!  We welcomed nearly 400 campers on Tuesday and their sessions got off to a great start.

Kallah Gimmel chanichim (campers) are enjoying all the amazing activities around OSRUI while they get to know each other and make lots of new friends.  They are learning about Israel in limud (Jewish studies).  Be sure to ask your camper to sing the new Kallah Gimmel theme song, Tal Yerushalayim, written by one of their faculty members, Cantor Arik Luck.

In addition to learning about Israel in limud, Kibbutz HaTzofim chanichim tie-dyed shirts, enjoyed a sweet Yom Honey, and picked the theme for Oconomostock, the fabulous talent show they produce during the session.  Of course they were also feeding the animals in the refet, tending the garden and wearing High Socks on Thursday.

Tiferet chanichim jumped right into their studios – visual art, instrumental music, digital arts, drama, and dance.  The limud for their session is T’hilim (Psalms).  In studio, the chanichim have the opportunity to learn about psalms through the lens of their passions and their art.

Moshavah Bet chanichim spent this first week in camp doing all the activities they love at OSRUI – swimming, sports, chugim (electives), and climbing the Alpine Tower.  Now they are preparing to leave on their first trips – hiking, biking, rock climbing and canoeing.  Mosh campers go on two 4-day trips, during weeks 2 and 4.

In Gesher, chanichim picked the theme for the Gesher Carnival, which they are keeping a secret for now.  They began painting the benches around their m’durah (campfire).  They are loving their chugim, which include some that are unique to Gesher, such as fencing, modular origami, running, and leadership.

After a couple of days of intensive training, we bid farewell to our Tour La’Agam bikers who left on Thursday.  The trip promises to be an amazing experience for our 16 chanichim, led by Scott Goode along with Lizzy Scheinkopf, Adam Kazilsky, and Becky DeNelsky.  We look forward to hearing from them along the way.

After a wonderful visit with families during Yom Horim, Chalutzim set out for their amazing canoe trip.  They returned yesterday and are looking forward to their last two weeks together.

This weekend we are honored to welcome Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism.  And tomorrow we are hosting more than 100 alumni from 1979-1984 for a wonderful day in camp.  On Sunday, our Board of Governors joins us for their summer meeting and a chance to see OSRUI in action.

Be sure to read our blog for daily updates on what’s going on at camp!

Shabbat Shalom from all of us at OSRUI,

Jerry Kaye, Director    Susan Alexander, Associate Director     Max Weinberg, Assistant Director