Introducing Our 2026 Rashei Eidot (Unit Heads)

We are so excited to introduce our 2026 Rashei Eidot (Unit Heads) who are part of our Mazkirut (Leadership Team)! This team is comprised of staff members who help oversee each of the units, the specialty areas, and other important spaces of camp.

Becca Irgang, Kallah

Lyla Prass, Kibbutz HaTzofim

Lyla is so excited to be returning to camp as the Rosh Eidah of Kibbutz HaTzofim for her 15th summer in Oconomowoc; 9 as a camper and 5 on staff so far! She grew up in Deerfield, Illinois, but spends her school year at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. There, she is a Senior studying Elementary Education and Teaching English as a Second Language. When Lyla is not at camp or in class, she loves trying new coffee shops, traveling, going to musicals, and spending time in the teva (nature). She cannot wait to be back at camp celebrating Shabbat, hanging out in the gan (garden) and refet (farm), and building a kehila (community) that takes care of each other every day! Lyla can’t wait for the best summer yet, Kibbutz HaTzofim 2026!

Aaron Mogilner, Gesher

Daryn Kaplan and Seve Zatzenbloom, Moshavah

Noah Shapiro, Chalutzim

Hannah Kobee Thompson, Avodah

Hannah Kobee Thompson is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. She currently works in the Jewish community in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with youth aged two through 17 and she plans to attend rabbinical school in the next few years. This will be her third summer at camp and she is so excited to return to OSRUI as Rosh Avodah.

Stay tuned to meet more Mazkirut members in the coming weeks.

Rashei Eidot (UNIT HEADs) & S’ganim (Assistant Unit Heads)

Learn more about our entire Leadership Team here.

Jacob Morrison
Declan Poll
Ruth Prass
Aden Rabinowitz
Ruby Rosenberg
Roseth
Daniel Schultheiss
Zach Seaver
Leo Seiler
May Shalem
Gali Shushan
Yael Sommer
Caleb Stevens
Bella Stowe
Galia Streisfeld
Yael Toubes
Eden Uriel
Zeke Webber
Abby Weiss
Ethan Weiss
Mia Wetzler
Noam Wigman
Solomon Winer
Seve Zatzenbloom
Maggie Zurn

Moomchim (Specialists)

Aquatics: Molly Boerst, Dan Boulton, Charlotte Conchie, Dayra Díaz, Ava DiLallo, Hanna Filadelfi, Manuela Florez, Ava Fox, Kevin Garzón, Judith Jardí, Dakota Lutz, Alex McGhee, Kyle McNeil, Ava Oleniczak, Isaac Peterson, Stella Peterson, Wiktor Przysiezny, Avi Rotjur, John Von Rueden
Art: Hedi Kolmar, Yulia Krasovsky, Justin Rubenstein
Camper Advocates: Rusvelt Ortiz, Leah Melling
Chaverim: Yasmin Agur, Ari Blanco, Catalina Idrobo, Angelo Moncayo, Mariana Mora
Cooking: Nomi Kane, Roni Brailovsky
Dance: Gili Guetta, Alana Slade 
Drama: Ashley Gatueno
Etgar (Tower and Challenge Course): Carmel Elimelech, Keshet Gabai, Alyssa Kaufmann, Alex Moran, Naama Peled, Eduardo Ramírez, Liya Sorkin, Ángela Villota, Ziva Westreich, Yuval Yitzhak
Farm/Teva: Elana Adler, Yanai Schwartzber
Horseback Riding: Uriya Dadon, Maya Ozeri, Naomi Schifris, Or Shlomo
Merkaz Ivrit: Ron Goldenberg, Achinoam Harpaz
Musical/Songleading: Micah Brandhandler
Office: Adam Griffith
Photographer: Andi Crisóstomo, Katherine Farfan
Science: Noa Carmon, Kevin Horwitz
Sports: Aviv Ellenbogen, Oded Shoshani, DJ Silvert

Housekeeping and Maintenance staff

Santiago Carrera
Dana Fernández
Yare Melo
Keila Mitl
Mauricio Morales
Daniela Paisano
Zita Ribly
María Rodríguez 

Introducing Our 2025 Rashei Eidot (Unit Heads)

We are so excited to introduce our 2025 Rashei Eidot (Unit Heads) who are part of our Mazkirut (Leadership Team)! This team is comprised of staff members who help oversee each of the units, the specialty areas, and other important spaces of camp.

Mor Kriger, Rosh Kallah

Charlie Maloney, Rosh Tzofim

Charlie is pumped to be the Rosh of Kibbutz HaTzofim this summer! This will be Charlie’s 9th summer at camp and 4th on staff, and he is super excited to be returning downstairs. He loves coming back to camp every summer, and when away, he spends the year at the University of Minnesota where he studies Political Science and Business Communications. Charlie loves to play guitar and do all things active, whether that’s playing basketball with friends, going on walks with his dog, or dancing! Some of his favorite parts of camp are celebrating Shabbat, swimming in the lake, and making lifelong friends! Charlie is most looking forward to all of the special Tzofim activities, like visiting the garden and hanging out with the animals in the refet (the goats are his favorite). Summer 2025 in Tzofim can’t come soon enough!!

Jordyn Duberstein, Rosh Gesher

Zoe Haith, Rosh Moshavah

Omer Eitan, Rosh Chalutzim

Hannah Kobee Thompson, Rosh Avodah

Hannah is so excited to return to camp as Rosh Avodah! She’s grown up being involved in the Jewish world and plans to pursue a Jewish professional career.  She is so grateful to have found a home at OSRUI. Hannah is from Pittsburgh, PA and is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh. She loves biking and songleading and can’t wait to lead the Avodah program this summer!

Introducing Our 2025 Rashei T’chumim (Specialty Heads)

We are so excited to introduce our 2025 Rashei T’chumim (Specialty Heads) who are part of our Mazkirut (Leadership Team)! This team is comprised of staff members who help oversee each of the units, the specialty areas, and other important spaces of camp.

Jade Selch, Program Manager and Rosh Staff Life

Jade is totally stoked to be this summer’s Program Manager and Rosh Staff Life! This is Jade’s 6th summer on staff, and 15th summer at camp overall, and they are so ready to spend another summer on Lac La Belle. Jade grew up in Evanston, Illinois, and is now a religious studies major at the University of Rochester. They’re looking forward to working with each unit’s Rosh Pe’ulah to ensure a fun summer is had all around, staff included! Their favorite part of camp is everyone coming together on Friday night for Shabbat Shirah, and back again on Saturday for Rikkud. Jade will be wandering all around camp this summer, so make sure to say hi when you see them!

Amanda Russo, Rosh Chaverim

Amanda is so excited to be coming to camp as Rosh Chaverim! She is coming back to OSRUI for a 5th summer. While not at camp, Amanda lives in Orlando, Florida, and is a 1st grade teacher. She is so grateful that she can spend time at camp during the summer, and has been working in the camp world since 2014. She loves to spend time with her friends, explore local markets, go to Disney, and go to sporting events/music festivals. Her favorite parts of camp are seeing the whole camp community come together on Shabbat and taking in the amazing view of the lake from Bayit Hill. Amanda cannot wait to make some amazing memories in Chaverim with some awesome campers and staff!

Max Reiner, Rosh Etgar

Max is so excited to be Rosh Etgar for summer 2025! Etgar (challenge) provides an awesome opportunity for campers to expand their comfort zones at the camp’s climbing tower and high ropes course. Max will be returning for his 10th summer at camp and 5th on staff, and is thrilled to see campers reach new heights this summer. Max grew up in Naperville, Illinois, and is a junior at the University of Colorado–Boulder; go Buffs! He is majoring in Chemical Engineering with a focus on Materials, as well as a minor in Computer Science. Outside of classes, Max loves biking through the Colorado front range, playing volleyball, and is a board-game fanatic.  Camp is Max‘s second home and he is delighted to be spending another summer in Oconomowoc, and is ready to make it the best summer yet!

Ravid Talmi, Rosh Mishlachat

Ravid is so excited to return to camp for the third time as Rosh Mishlachat! She is 23 years old, and comes from Kfar Saba. She had the privilege of being a Chalutzim counselor the past two summers as well as Chalutzim Rosh Pe’ulah last summer. When not at camp, she enjoys being involved in education and traveling. She has spent most of her life guiding and assisting in educating others, and has spent the past 8 months traveling the world! She looks forward to sharing her home away from home with all the amazing Israeli counselors who help in representing Israel at camp.

Stay tuned to meet more Mazkirut members in the coming weeks.

Introducing Our 2024 Rashei Eidot (Unit Heads)

We are so excited to introduce our 2024 Rashei Eidot (Unit Heads) who are part of our Mazkirut (Leadership Team)! This team is comprised of staff members who help oversee each of the units, the specialty areas, and other important spaces of camp.

Shayna Irgang, Rosh Kallah

Emma Locketz, Rosh Tzofim

Emma is so excited to be the Rosh of Kibbutz HaTzofim this summer! This will be Emma’s 13th summer at camp, and 5th on staff. Emma is from Minnetonka, Minnesota, and is a junior at UW-Madison. She is majoring in genetics and genomics, with a certificate in disability rights and services. She enjoys figure skating, going to Zumba classes, and baking! Emma is so excited to spend another summer in Tzofim, and can’t wait for the silly and fun Tzofim traditions like high sock Thursday and hanging out with the animals in the refet (animal program). Emma’s favorite parts of camp are making friendship bracelets on Tzofim Hill, singing at Shabbat Shira, and meeting so many amazing friends. Emma is counting down the days until summer 2024 and can’t wait to meet all of the campers in Kibbutz HaTzofim!

Jade Selch, Rosh Gesher

Zoe Haith, Rosh Moshavah

Bar Ungar-Klein, Rosh Chalutzim

Bar will also be a Rosh Eidah of Atid.

Hannah Seigal, Rosh Moshavah Midwest

Hannah is so excited to be returning as a rosh eidah this summer! After 15 summers at camp, 9 as a camper and 6 on staff, she can’t wait to lead the first ever Mosh Midwest tiyul (trip)! Camp has been her favorite place for the better part of her life, and she is so excited to be back. Hannah is currently preparing to start her studies in law school this fall. She can’t wait for this summer!

Leo Norton, Rosh Avodah

Leo is so excited to be Rosh Avodah! This will be his 14th summer in Oconomowoc, where he’s spent 7 years as a camper and 7 as a staff member. Leo is from Omaha, Nebraska, and he attends the University of Kansas. Leo loves watching Kansas basketball, Nebraska football, and all Boston sports teams. Camp is his favorite place to be, and he can’t wait to lead the Avodah program this summer!

Elana Adler, Rosh Staff Life

Elana is beyond excited to be Rosh Staff Life this summer! OSRUI has been her second home for 14 summers and this is a dream role. Elana has done every single unit on camp and enjoys the uniqueness of each program. Elana works in Boulder, Colorado as a full-time youth director at Congregation Har HaShem, and loves her Western community. She is passionate about the mountains, lifting heavy weights, and her forty house plants. Elana is excited to work closely with OSRUI’s wonderful staff this summer. This summer, you can find her on the Peloton, in the gan (garden), or drinking an iced coffee. When you see her this summer, make sure to tell her your best joke!

Stay tuned to meet more Mazkirut members in the coming weeks.

Learn more about our entire Leadership Team here.

Max Reiner
Becca Richman
Audra Rosenzweig
Ania Sacks
Michal Samel
Shaked Schwartz
Leo Seiler
Tomer Seter
Noah Shapiro
Emma Shimovich
Sammy Silverman
Shae Stonemeier
Alex Stromin
Zohar Strull
Ravid Talmi
Inbal Tizazo
Elliot Toljanic
Tali Tseitlin
Bar Ungar-Klein
Brianna Velaney
Aden Weiss
Ruby Winer
Seve Zatzenbloom
Orly Zuckerman

Moomchim (Specialists)

Aquatics: Dayra Diaz, Zach Duffy, Ava Fox, Tyla Freedman, Carly Galbraith, Alonso López, Balázs Magilniszky, Szabolcs Magilniszky, Olivia Neaves, Alex McGhee, Diego Padrón, Henry Shaw, Wylie Simonen, Emily Sodolski, Ellie Steele, Jack Staus, Luis Tobias, Will Young
Art: Ofri Cohen, Or Nachum
Camper Advocates: Amanda Gorell, Nina Gordin, Marni Israel
Cooking: Todd Kinsman
Dance: Evalina Krimsky
Drama: Chen Kfir
Etgar (Tower and Challenge Course): Ace Anteby, Drew Hamblion, Shakked Hazan, Matan Katlev, Mor Kriger, Shai Licona, Logan Meyers, David Price, Shahar Sidon, Hollie Weston
Horseback Riding: Mika Heichal, Adi Khasin, Lydia Lancina, Tal Srur
Merkaz Ivrit: Noam Moisi
Music: Alek Kopulsky
Musical/Songleading: Micah Brandhandler
Photographer: Anna Melnikoff
Recording Studio: Stephen Steigman
Science: Avital Barkan, Kevin Horwitz
Sports: Nihal Ahmed, Noam Elkayam, Yonaton Shalem

Housekeeping and Maintenance staff

Pablo Díaz
Annie Gaytan
Melissa González
Lizady Licona
Luis Márquez
María Nava
Zita Ribly
Francisco Rivera
Aura Zavala

Introducing Our 2023 Rashei Eidot (Unit Heads)

We are so excited to introduce our 2023 Rashei Eidot (Unit Heads) who are part of our Mazkirut (Leadership Team)! This team is comprised of staff members who help oversee each of the units, the specialty areas, and other important spaces of camp. Their leadership will be incredibly valuable towards creating a great experience for our campers, staff and larger community!

Hannah Seigal, Rosh Kallah

Hannah will also be a Rosh Eidah of Atid.

Daniel Brot, Rosh Gesher

Idan Sheleg, Rosh Chalutzim

Idan will also be a Rosh Eidah of Atid.

Rachel and Evon (2022)

QUESTION: When were you at camp and what did you do when you were there?

RACHEL: I started as a camper in 1992 (Kallah Aleph) and moved through all the Eidot (Kallah-92-94, Chavurah-95, Moshavah-96, Chalutzim-97, OSRUI in Israel-98, Avodah-99). Then I was a Machon-00, Madricha-01,02, Rosh Teva-03, and Kallah Rosh Eidah-04.

Rachel as a Chavurah Camper (1995)

Rachel as a Moshavah Madricha with Beth Rodin and Lizzie Gussis (2001)

QUESTION: Why was camp a special place for you when you were there?  Why is special to you now?

RACHEL: When I started as a camper in 1992, I went knowing NO ONE. Now my closest friends and family all have roots at OSRUI. I was one of those campers who would leave camp and start counting down the days until I could return. I loved the time spent in the bunk, trying new activities, and making friends. Now camp is special because I see how spending time at OSRUI impacts our youth. I can see how chanichim grow through the innovative and fun opportunities for engagement, during the summer. I am so grateful that I can be a participant in that process, even as an adult (on the Camp Care Team). 

QUESTION: Why do you think camp is valuable? What does camp provide that one can’t get elsewhere?

RACHEL: Camp is INVALUABLE to campers and staff. It is a life-changing opportunity to learn about how to live in a community, how to explore the natural world, and how to gain independence in a safe and supportive space. If you are a parent who is considering sending your child to OSRUI, but feeling unsure or wavering….please know that my partner and I have been to multiple Jewish summer camps throughout the United States, and we choose OSRUI for our children (traveling from Northern California) without a doubt in our minds that it is absolutely the most incredible place for Jewish children and young adults to experience their world. 

Thank you to Rachel for sharing your OSRUI experience!
If you have an OSRUI story to tell and would like to be featured in our Blog, email OSRUI’s Assistant Director, Ben Schillmoeller, at bschillmoeller@urj.org or click the button below.

Alyssa speaking at a Moishe House Event at OSRUI

QUESTION: When were you at camp and what did you do when you were there?

ALYSSA: The better question is, when have I not been at camp?! I was a camper at OSRUI for four years including Gesher, Mosh, and Chalutzim (fun fact, I was in the first year of Gesher as an eidah). I also did Avodah and eventually became a specialist for a couple years as a lifeguard! Even though I stopped going to camp during the summers, once I started working in the Jewish field I was there all the time. I was a youth group advisor for a bit and staffed some retreats and NFTY weekends over the last 4-5 years. Plus, Moishe House does a few retreats at OSRUI every year and I ALWAYS find a way to staff them because I can’t stay away!

Alyssa and friends during her first year at camp

Alyssa and friends at her 10-year Chalutzim Reunion

QUESTION: How has camp impacted your life?

ALYSSA: Camp has single handedly changed my entire life! Camp gave me the inspiration to work full time in the Jewish field as I loved being able to find my own Jewish journey at OSRUI as a child and then on staff. Now, I get to help other people define their own Jewish journey day-in and day-out, especially people who didn’t have the experiences that I had as a kid. OSRUI also gave me my best friends! Most of my community in Chicago are all people I met at OSRUI throughout my time there. I have had two different roommates, Emily and Emily, both who I met at camp and I was a bridesmaid for another camp friend, Carrie, this past summer! Of the seven bridesmaids, five of us were OSRUI girls! If you ever see me around Chicago, chances are I am with at least one other camp person.

QUESTION: Why do you think camp is valuable to campers? What does camp provide for them that they can’t get elsewhere?

ALYSSA: Camp helps you develop such a strong sense of self and identity. OSRUI offers so many choices for how you can spend your summer from the eidah (unit) you choose to which chugim (elective activities) you participate in. It’s a really powerful way to develop independence and to figure out what people and activities make you the happiest! I also think camp gives you so many strong role models and every counselor taught me something about being a good person, friend, and leader!

Thank you to Alyssa for sharing your OSRUI experience!
If you have an OSRUI story to tell and would like to be featured in our Blog, email OSRUI’s Assistant Director, Ben Schillmoeller, at bschillmoeller@urj.org or click the button below.

The Rubin Family – Dan, Sara, Marc and Julie

QUESTION: Tell us about your family’s connection to OSRUI!

JULIE AND MARC:  We raised our kids in Southwestern Ohio and our lifelong friends, Denise and Michael Heimlich, were closely associated with OSRUI. Sara was a camper beginning in 1995 in Tzofim, Moshavah, Chalutzim and Avodah. Dan was a camper starting in 1999 in Tzofim, Moshavah, Chalutzim and Avodah and was on staff for two summers.

QUESTION: Why was camp a special place for your family over the years?

JULIE AND MARC: For many years, it was the kids’ home away from home each summer. Living in southwestern Ohio, few of their friends were Jewish. Both Sara and Dan found that camp was a place that gave them time and space to try new things and figure out which Jewish aspects they wanted to incorporate into their lives.  

Dan and Sara at OSRUI – 1999 

TOP: Erik Sirk, Scott Kaplan and Dan Rubin as Campers.
BOTTOM: Erik, Scott, and Dan 20 Years Later!

QUESTION: Giving Tuesday is coming up next week on November 29th. In your opinion, why should someone give a gift to OSRUI this year?

MARC, JULIE, SARA, AND DAN:  It’s important for kids to have a safe space to make friends, explore nature, and find their Jewish identity. Especially now, kids may have a hard time finding these experiences at home and families may be strained to fund a summer at camp. If you have the ability to give, we would highly encourage you to consider a donation to OSRUI this year.

Thank you to the Rubin family for your support of OSRUI!
To make your gift on Giving Tuesday, contact Lani Hart, Development Director, at lhart@urj.org. 

Naomi at OSRUI 2022

QUESTION: Tell us about yourself!

NAOMI: My name is Naomi. I’m a freshman at Stevenson High School. In my free time I’m on Stevenson color guard and I’m also a member of the Refined Dance Company with In Motion Dance. In addition, I volunteer at Or Shalom assisting at their Sunday school. When I’m not at OSRUI, I also volunteer at Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County, a camp for kids with special needs.

QUESTION: How long have you been coming to camp and what units have you been in?

NAOMI: I’ve been going to OSRUI for 3 summers and I have been in Tzofim, Gesher, and Moshavah. Camp is my second home and is very special to me.

Naomi with her camp friends on Shabbat.

Naomi with her friends in Moshavah.

NAOMI: My favorite place at camp is the lake because the lake is always so peaceful and pretty to look at the lake; from OSRUI’s beach you can see all the places surrounding Lac La Belle. The lake is also where we go tubing and pontooning every summer. I have the most fun memories of tubing and pontooning with my friends.

Thank you to Naomi for sharing your OSRUI experience!
If you have an OSRUI story to tell and would like to be featured in our Blog, email OSRUI’s Assistant Director, Ben Schillmoeller, at bschillmoeller@urj.org or click the button below.