Summer at OSRUI
Why OSRUI?
Sessions & Programs
Activities & Schedule
Jewish Living
Dates, Fees & Registration
Tuition Assistance & Savings
Directors and Full-Time Staff
Registered Families
Congregational Leaders
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OSRUI Events
Family Camp - Spring 2020
Machon Shira
Hava Nashira
OSRUI Retreat Center
NFTY Youth Group Programs (Grade 6-12)
NFTY Chicago Area Region:
Chicagoland, Northwestern Indiana
NFTY Northern Region:
Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota
Manitoba CAN, Sioux Falls SD, Rockford IL
Work at OSRUI
History of OSRUI
Support OSRUI
To Our Donors
OSRUI Donors
OSRUI Calendar
Photos of Your Camper
Why OSRUI? Directors and Full-Time Staff
Solly Kane, Director
Solly Kane, Director Email Solly
Solly is a former OSRUI camper, counselor, unit head, and assistant director, and became OSRUI's 10th director in 2017.
He believes that summer camp is the place that makes Judaism come alive, creates friendships for life, and gives young people a supportive environment in which to grow. Solly leads our professional staff team, lay leadership, and synagogue partners to continue the magic that has existed in Oconomowoc since 1952.
Prior to rejoining the OSRUI team, Solly worked as a management consultant advising companies on business strategy. He previously worked for the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) in multiple roles. His time at the URJ included stints in Washington D.C. at the Religious Action Center (RAC), and in New York City leading the planning and implementation of the URJ's largest programs for adults and youth.
A native Midwesterner, Solly has a BA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and an MBA from the New York University Stern School of Business. He is a Wexner Foundation Field Fellow and was named to JUF Chicago's list of "36 under 36" in 2018.
During the summer, Solly can frequently be found cheering on our campers and staff, playing basketball with a group of kids, or helping to lead a campfire song session with his guitar.
Reach out to Solly to connect, share feedback about camp, and to be a part of sustaining OSRUI for the future.
Beth Rodin, Associate Director
Beth Rodin, Associate Director Email Beth
Beth is so excited to have returned home to OSRUI. Her Jewish journey and love for camp started right here in Oconomowoc while "staffing" synagogue retreats as a toddler when her parents were the youth group advisors for Congregation BJBE. A long-time camper, staff member, unit head and faculty member at both OSRUI and the URJ Kutz Camp, she has been an active member of the Reform movement for as long as she can remember!
Beth previously was the Managing Director for NFTY – The Reform Jewish Youth Movement. She served on the NFTY team for almost 15 years including time as Regional Advisor for NFTY's Chicago Area and Northern Regions, Program Director, and NFTY Board Advisor. During her time in NFTY, she championed the development of our partnership and collaboration with fellow youth movements and other organizations.
Beth received degrees in Political Science, Jewish Studies and Hebrew Language and Literature from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and holds a Masters in Jewish Professional Studies from Spertus College in Chicago. In building on her favorite time at camp (six summers in Moshavah), Beth spent a year pursuing her passions for adventure and teaching as an outdoor education instructor in Southern California. Beth currently lives in Skokie with her husband Sam, their sons Charlie and Joey, and a dog and a cat who (sometimes) tolerate each other.
Reach out to Beth about community partnerships, year-round engagement opportunities, and general camp questions.
Alexandra Argentar, Director of Development
Alexandra Argentar, Director of Development Email Alex
Alexandra believes that camp has the power to create transformative life experiences while building for a strong Jewish future. She works passionately with all stake holders in our community to create meaningful opportunities for their involvement and investment in OSRUI.
Before joining the full time staff as Director of Development at OSRUI , Alexandra was the Assistant Director of the Women's Division of the Jewish United Fund and then the Director of Development at The Cove School, a school for children with learning disabilities. At Cove, she focused on increasing the school's annual giving, major gifts, marketing and PR efforts. She created community partnerships, a corporate sponsorship campaign, and young professionals' board. Most recently, she was the Associate Director of the Midwest Region of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum where she focused on major gifts, volunteer engagement and events.
Alexandra first attended (and felt the magic of) OSRUI 25 years ago. It was through camp that she met her husband Darin, also an OSRUI alum. They are now proud parents of 3 happy OSRUI campers.
Reach out to Alex with questions about major gifts, capital campaign, annual campaign, and alumni relations.
Dylan Singer, Assistant Director
Dylan Singer, Assistant Director Email Dylan
Dylan has been a member of the OSRUI community since 2004 when he began as a camper. He has since been a summer staff member and unit head. Dylan loves being part of the OSRUI community and being able to spend his summers in Oconomowoc. He grew up in Deerfield, Illinois and graduated from the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities with degrees in Business and Marketing Education, Jewish Studies, and Hebrew. During his senior year, Dylan served as the student president of Minnesota Hillel, creating dynamic programming and working to engage students in Jewish life on campus.
After graduating, Dylan worked in Bloomington, Indiana, as a Springboard Innovation Fellow at Indiana University Hillel. While there, he worked to further students' connections to Judaism, helped them develop as leaders, and created a warm and welcoming Jewish environment. He also had the opportunity to teach two college credit courses about Jewish Cooking and Jewish Leadership. Dylan is looking forward to making each summer unforgettable for campers and staff alike.
Reach out to Dylan with questions about the summer staff application, camp programming, and social media.
Naomi Looper, NFTY Chicago Regional Director and OSRUI Assistant Director
Naomi Looper, NFTY Chicago Regional Director and OSRUI Assistant Director Email Naomi
Naomi has been active in the OSRUI and NFTY community as a camper, NFTY-CAR president, unit head of Kallah, and now as the NFTY-CAR Regional Director and OSRUI Assistant Director. She believes that Jewish summer camp and youth group are places and communities that allow kids to find their voice, develop lifelong and meaningful relationships, and discover their Jewish identities.
Prior to joining the OSRUI and NFTY team, Naomi worked at Temple Jeremiah in Northfield, IL as the Youth and Family Engagement Director and oversaw youth group programs for kids 0-18. Naomi was also the Youth Group Director at Temple Beth El in Madison, WI. Naomi spent a year after high school in Israel studying Jewish leadership in youth movements and has a wealth of experience with informal Jewish education.
Naomi grew up in Oak Park, and received her BA in Jewish Studies and International Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies at Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago. Naomi lives in Chicago with her husband, Max Looper.
Reach out to Naomi with questions about NFTY Chicago Area Region programs and events, and how to continue the magic of OSRUI year-round.
Denise Heimlich, Assistant Director, Marketing and Development
Denise Heimlich Email Denise
Denise is responsible for marketing & communications, scholarship, and she works with Alex in development as well. She spent several years as the OSRUI registrar, building relationships with families, and she now enjoys developing relationships with donors, alumni and friends of camp as well. A former camper and staff member, her very first job at camp was working in the office while a member of the Avodah Corps. Denise was also a camper and staff parent. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois and worked in marketing and communications before joining the OSRUI full-time staff.
Reach out to Denise with questions about marketing & communications, scholarships, and general questions about donations and tributes.
Rachel Lyon, Registrar
Rachel Lyon, Registrar Email Rachel
Rachel grew up attending URJ's Goldman Union Camp Institute in Zionsville, Indiana. She spent each summer from 2001-2014 at camp as a camper, counselor, and leadership staff member. After graduating from Indiana University with a BS in Arts Management and Telecommunications, she moved to New York City. While there, Rachel served as the Events Administrator on the North American Events team at the Union for Reform Judaism. She worked on the registration, logistics, and customer experience for all professional development events, creating relationships with the participants as well as the staff members whose events she helped facilitate. Rachel is thrilled to continue her work with the OSRUI community as the Registrar, talking with families, helping with registration and being up at camp during the summer months.
Reach out to Rachel with questions about camper registration as well as registration for all of OSRUI's year-round programs (such as Family Camp, Shabbat Shira, Hava Nashira Songleading Workshop, etc.)
JoAnn Sandoval, Business Manager
JoAnn Sandoval, Business Manager Email JoAnn
JoAnn has served as the OSRUI Business Manager for 30 years. She handles camper accounts and all other financial matters for Camp. JoAnn holds a degree in accounting from DePaul University and came to OSRUI with a substantial background as a corporate executive. She enjoys hearing from parents and working with the OSRUI Campership program to make sure that every child has the opportunity to attend camp.
Reach out to JoAnn with questions about your camper's account or accounts payable.
Geoff Prass, Operations Manager
Geoff Prass, Operations Manager Email Geoff
Geoff brings with him extensive experience at several congregations. Before joining the OSRUI professional staff, he served as the Executive Director and Director of Education at Shir Hadash Synagogue in Wheeling, IL. He was one of only a handful in the country serving in this specific dual role capacity. He holds a joint degree in Jewish Studies and Studio Arts from the University of Minnesota. While living in Los Angeles, he continued his education at Hebrew Union College where he received a Certificate in Synagogue Management.
During his 20+ years in synagogue life and Jewish Education, Geoff has served in a variety of roles, including; Director of Education at Congregation Solel in Highland Park, Religious School Principal at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, NFTY Northern Regional Director and Director of Informal Education at Bet Shalom Congregation in Minnesota. He is affiliated locally and nationally with both the ARJE (formerly National Association of Temple Educators) and NATA (National Association of Temple Administrators).
Geoff is thrilled to be part of the OSRUI professional staff in this new capacity. He's a longtime member of the camp community, having been on staff for several years, and is currently a faculty member and camper parent. He's the proud father of two children, and while both are under the age of 9, Geoff is confident that they already have a love of OSRUI.
Reach out to Geoff with questions about hosting your next event or retreat at OSRUI.
Debbie Locketz, Camper Care Director
Debbie Locketz, Camper Care Director Email Debbie
Debbie works in conjunction with the OSRUI professional staff year-round, and in the summer leads the OSRUI Camper Care team, which helps problem solve camper concerns as they arise by working with campers, staff, and parents. Originally from Toronto, Debbie grew up as a camper, counselor and unit head at OSRUI. She holds a Master; Degree in Social Work and is a Clinical Independent Licensed Social Worker. When she's not at camp, Debbie works at Relate Counseling Center in Minnesota as an outpatient therapist for kids, adolescents and adults. Debbie brings years of experience working with all ages in a range of settings. She lives in Minnetonka, MN, with her husband, Rabbi David Locketz, and their two daughters, who both continue to spend their summers at OSRUI.
Reach out to Debbie with questions about how we can accommodate your camper's needs during the summer.
Joe Heinecke, Plant Manager
For more than three decades Joe has cared for the buildings and grounds at camp as if they were his own. Each week he and his staff prepare camp to welcome our retreat guests and before the summer they ensure that every building and activity area is ready for campers. Joe also oversees construction projects, working with lay leaders as well as the architects and builders. Joe's wife Katie also worked at camp for many years, as did their children.
Lisa Radanovich, Food Services Manager
Lisa comes to OSRUI with years of food service experience. For 18 years she worked in the Oconomowoc Area School District, in both public and private sectors. She is the mom of four children, and she knows how important good nutrition is. In her spare time, she loves to be outdoors and gardening. Lisa looks forward to meeting all the campers this summer and hopes to make the camp food an experience the campers will love.
Jerry Kaye, Emeritus Director
Jerry Kaye served as the director of OSRUI for 48 summers, from 1970 through 2017. Jerry is truly a visionary; he oversaw the camp's expansion during that time, both physically and programmatically. Jerry has authored numerous works relating to Jewish education, self-esteem and youth. He has consulted to communities and congregations throughout North America and presented programs on Jewish content for children, adults and families alike. Jerry is best known, though, as a gifted storyteller. Thousands of campers and staff share memories of the lights dimming during Shabbat Shira, the music quieting, and Jerry walking to the center of the circle to share one of his beautiful and meaningful stories.
Business Office:
1121 Lake Cook Road, Suite D
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Camp Address:
600 Lac La Belle Drive
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