Cantor Glikin's Blog

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So, How Was Camp?

Since coming back from serving on the faculty of Union for Reform Judaism’s OSRUI (Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute) a couple of days ago, I have been bombarded with one question: “How was camp?”  It is close to impossible to describe the experience of camp with all of its energy and intensity, but I am going to attempt it anyway.  So, here it goes.

 

Shabbat at Camp

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel taught that while most other religions sanctify space, Judaism sanctifies time.  One reason to send your child to a Jewish summer camp is to give them the opportunity to experience living in Jewish time.  Having this experience is incredibly powerful because most of the time, our lives are regulated by the Gregorian calendar.  But, at a Jewish camp, our lives are regulated by the Jewish calendar, which brings us closer to our Judaism.

 

Cantor Glikin's Field Notes from Camp

Camp OSRUI is off to a great start!  Yesterday morning hundreds of chanichim (campers) were dropped off and greeted with songs and hugs of welcome from madrichim (counselors), friends old and new, and segel (faculty.)  The day was filled with getting-to-know-each-other activities, unpacking, learning how things work at OSRUI, selecting chugim (clubs) and creating community.  In the evening, together with the camp’s songleaders, we led t’filot services, which were followed by an evening activity.  It was a very hot day and all were ready to get to their cabins