Those who sow in tears will reap in joy - Psalm 126
Yesterday, campers, parents, staff and faculty were informed that all-in person activities for URJ Summer Camps, including our beloved Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute will be cancelled this summer for reasons of health and safety. This announcement, though necessary, is heartbreaking.
For our many children and teens who were planning to attend as campers this summer and looking forward to working as camp staff, this news is especially disappointing. I myself am very sad about this, as I thoroughly enjoy serving as faculty at OSRUI. 32 BTC children and teens registered as campers and proudly 10 of our Beth Tikvah youth hired for Camp staff. This summer I was especially looking forward to sharing that special magical OSRUI experience with our BTC contingency of campers and staff, along with working together again on faculty with Rokki Parinello, our Religious School Co-Principal.
I am grateful to OSRUI Director Solly Kane, who explained with kindness and compassion the situation to various constituents of the Camp community. It is a tough decision, but the right decision. In the call, Solly reminded us all what a joy it is to be at OSRUI. Camp brings us to together in friendship, song and laughter. OSRUI instills such a wonderful sense of excitement for Judaism and brings joy to our lives year round.
What we were told was to hold out hope for next summer. Solly reminded us of the passage in Psalms that says: “Those who sow in tears, will reap in joy.” Next year, he said, we will all return to our home in Oconomowoc and it will be better than ever.
“Those who sow in tears will reap in joy” is a promise that extends well beyond what happens or doesn’t happen in a summer. It is a reminder that though we may experience rough spots, life will get better, things will improve and when it does, our return to joy will be all the more sweet.
At this time, let us look forward to a brighter future while at the same time, finding joy, laughter, friendship and song in our here and now.
May God bless you and keep you. May you be blessed with a week of peace.
