Rabbi Wolkow's letter from the August_September issue of "The Sinai Messenger"
As I sit down to pen these few words of mid-summer greetings, Helen and I are getting ready to spend the next two weeks in Oconomowoc, Wisc., home of OSRUI (Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute Camp), first of Reform Judaism's summer camps and (with all due apology to Goldman) flagship camp of the UAHC and probably all of American Judaism.
This is not the time or place for a long lecture on the importance of the camp movement - but I cannot help but reflect on the manner in which my life is influenced by the calendar of Jewish events and matters Jewish. We started this summer in the East where we attended (and I participated in) the Bat mitzvah of my grand niece Karen Wolkow. Being in that part of the country we vacationed in the northeast in Canada's Maritime provinces where we visited synagogues in St. John's, New Brunswick, and Sydney, Breton Isle (Nova Scotia) . We returned in time to attend (and conduct) the wedding of a youngster who grew up in TBY. We will return from camp on the middle Sabbath to conduct another wedding and will perform yet another wedding ceremony the week after camp ends; and a week and a half before the yearly cycle begins with my first visit (of 5761) to Lake Charles.
Of course, you say, "You're a rabbi". But when I think deeply on it I know that those young campers who we will soon be working with, and those marital couples - young and older, and countless others influenced by camp, and Israel and Temple plan their lives, as well, around events and matters Jewish. And, if you will help me, so too will each of you. So get your calendars out and plan to come out for our first adult discussions (Thursday eve August 31st and/or Lunch & Learn on Friday September 1st). And don't miss Friday eve Service when Rebekah if I can talk her into it or I will address the value of a summer (or any) visit to Israel. And Hebrew classes - all levels on Saturday morning. (I just saw in my stack of papers a wonderful article on the adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony of TBY and if I can find it again, and if Faye has room for it I'm going to ask her to put it in this bulletin)
See you all quite soon.
P.S. to Leah Fuerst - get crackin'.
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