Wisconsin!

Shalom from Wisconsin!!

Today was a super fun and exhausting day, starting with an early wake up, a drive from Chicago, a fun time at a Water/Theme Park with an Ancient Greece Theme (Tali and I had the time of our lives on the underground Hades roller coaster), a barbecue at Camp Chi, and some bonding around a campfire.

After Pittsburgh last week, we were off to Cleveland where we played by a giant rubber stamp, hung out in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, visited a host synagogue, dropped our kids off with host families, and celebrated staff independence at a really nice hotel!

From Cleveland, we went straight to Chicago where we toured Navy Pier, ate at Ken's Diner, and had a Bus C Bar Mitzvah at our host synagogue. After the Wheelniks were dropped off with their hosts, staff had a party at Jake's house in Chicago and I read a book because I was tired and the book was good. Also we met Jake's two dogs, frog named Jules, turtle named Toady, and his whole family. Then we were very exhausted, especially me, and we went to our really nice hotel to sleep.

On Friday, we had one of the coolest days ever. We went to the bean in Millenium Park in Chicago for pictures, then we went to the Jewish Council for Urban Affairs to learn about worker injustice in the hotels in Chicago. Then the kids made signs and made up chants. We heard stories from hotel workers who have been on strike for SEVEN YEARS trying to get a fair living wage and health care. Their stories were incredibly powerful. The kids were really moved and got really into it. Finally, it was time to get in the picket line!!! They sang loud and proud about justice and it was AWESOME. Then everyone stood on corners and handed our fliers with information on them about the strike to passersby, and it was so amazing to see. I was so proud. Every person got into it in their own way, even those kids who don't usually participate in programs. I was soooo happy!

Then we prepared for Shabbat by grocery shopping (which is RIDIC when you're shopping for 51 people and making sure every single thing is certified kosher), washing, dressing, decorating, and finally it was time for services. Shabbat services were nice but we have a long way to go. I was proud of the people who stepped up to lead but at the same time, I was disappointed in the people who said they didn't know enough to lead and then did not even pay attention to try to learn more.

On Saturday, I led my first discussion with a group of 12 kids about God and Theology. They got so into it! We lost track of time and were 20 minutes late to lunch. I learned so much from them.

The most notable moment of Saturday, however, has to be the Girls' Bonding program on Saturday night. It's kind of a circle-of-trust thing, though, so I can't tell you what we did or what was said. I will just say this: everyone has a story, everyone has pain, and everyone has so much beauty inside them. The girls got so close in just one hour, and it was really moving. Tali did a beautiful job leading it with me as well, and I was so glad she was there. All the girls were truly inspiring.

This is what makes it worth it. I love bus C!