BeSTY Members at OSRUI — Bet Shalom Congregation

by Emily Dejewski

Throughout the years I have noticed an increased desire of our teens and students at HaMakom to be more connected to their Jewish Identities. At BeSTY’s end of the year event, I asked teens who had gone to OSRUI before about different aspects of their OSRUI experiences and how they helped them make that connection. I hope that these answers shed some light of the meaningfulness of their experiences and encourage others to go as well!

Dani Johnson, Gabby Ladmer, Sam Griffel and Levi King

Tell us about your OSRUI (Camp Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute) participation. When did you go, which levels or sessions, how many years?

Sam Griffel—3 years gesher mosh mosh

Gabby Ladmer—3 years gesher mosh chalutzim

Dani Johnson—5 years, did a lot of sessions but did tzofim the most

Tell us about your favorite experiences at OSRUI.

Sam Griffel: Every week going and participating in Shabbat and the dancing and connecting with our peers and our Judaism itself. It’s not just one time, it’s a collection of it all and how it makes us feel connected to the experience and to camp.

Gabby Ladmer and Dani Johnson: Being with friends and getting to build relationships outside of social media and phones. Everyone puts technology away and has real conversations!

Dani Johnson: They have lots of awesome activities there like water skiing, which is really fun to do with friends. I enjoyed the Shabbat song sessions along with all of the songs they sing at camp!

What has going to OSRUI meant to your relationships?

Sam Griffel: I have built strong connections to more Jewish people and created lasting connections.

Gabby Ladmer and Dani Johnson: Deeper connections with friends and talking to them to make closer bonds. It allows us to find other teens with similar experiences who can relate to our own.

How has going to OSRUI contributed to your Jewish identity?

Gabby Ladmer: I feel more connected, and I have learned to understand my Jewish identity more and define what it means to me and the importance it has in my life.