It’s Transgender Awareness Week. This is a time to recognize, honor, and celebrate transgender and gender non-conforming people in our community.

"Ana-a-a-a-achnu ohavim et Tiferet...v’ein acheret...”  The words of this cheer carry so much truth – we love Tiferet and there really is no other program like it. For three decades, Tiferet, its campers, staff, faculty, and artists have created beautiful artwork and...

By Debbie Locketz LICSW One of my favorite times at camp is on opening day when we come together to sit at the Bitan.  It is during this time that I get to look out and see our entire community. Those new to camp and those that have been to camp before. Those from...

What’s New This Year? We are so excited to be in person in Oconomowoc this summer! Here are a few highlights of what is new for 2021. New for 2021: Gesher Updates  We are so excited to expand the Gesher program to create an unforgettable summer experience including...

Summer 2021 Registration FAQs By Beth Rodin, Associate Director, and Debbie Locketz, Assistant Director – Camp Care and Enrollment  We are excited to be planning for an in-person program for Summer 2021!  The health and safety of our families has always been and will...

Shanah Tovah – Happy New Year!   It has been wonderful to see so many of our camp families on our OSRUI virtual programming throughout the summer and to see your smiling faces in our Zoom boxes and social media feeds. But, we know it hasn’t been the same as the magic...

The idea of working together as a team towards a common goal is something that gets highlighted repeatedly each summer at camp.  Maccabiah (OSRUI’s 24-hour team competition) is just one example of how we can take all our campers' unique strengths and differences and...

Prior to and during ever summer we put a lot of thought and planning into how our community will be safe while altogether. Safe both in the physical sense but also in the social emotional way as well. Over the past few years, we have created a code of conduct for all...

Over the past few weeks each of our cities have begun a new phase of opening up. Stores and restaurants, and even youth activities have all found ways to re-engage us in a safe and healthy way. As we begin to reemerge from our houses, we begin yet another transition...

Today should have been Opening Day of Summer 2020 at OSRUI. The morning starts early on Opening Day.  Our staff gather in their crisp new t-shirts for t’fillah (services) with voices singing together and smiles exchanged between friends. I am going to miss that today...

Dear OSRUI 2020 camper families, Monday is a VERY big day... (how big is it?)  Monday is our first ever VIRTUAL OPENING DAY! All year, we have been looking forward to welcoming you to our physical camp home and even though we won’t be able to do it in person this...

Dear OSRUI Community, In recent weeks, we have seen and heard from so many in our country, and community, who have faced racism and discrimination, and lost the lives of loved ones, because of the color of their skin. We say, unequivocally, that Black lives matter and...

Dear Campers,  We asked our tzevet (staff) what they wish they could tell you right now. Below is what they said. "Heartbreak leads to growth" "I wish we could sing the moon song together!" "OSRUI is just a location, wherever your friends are becomes your home" "The...

[siteorigin_widget class="SiteOrigin_Widget_Button_Widget"][/siteorigin_widget] This letter to OSRUI 2020 families was sent to parents today (Thursday, April 30th).  See our 2020 Update web page for more information. Dear Camper Families,It is with a broken heart that...