When Bob Wolk (Herzl director, 1983) notified me that I would be Mama Ozo, I clearly remember feeling like the luckiest person in the world.  I treasured being a 1980 Ozo and I now had the chance to relive the experience through a different perspective.  I was bound and determined to not miss this reunion no matter the cost or travel difficulties.  I knew I had to be there.

Seeing each Ozo was like a miracle –they are such wonderful people with beautiful sparks of goodness.  When we were all together it was a giant flame that burned bright.  On Friday night we talked and laughed so much, it was hard to say goodnight.  In fact, Papa Ozo Ricky Bloomfield enjoyed a little kuntz the next morning at his home, left by a car full of (adult!) ozrim who wanted to make that night’s fun last a little longer.  We were back again together on Saturday afternoon through the evening at Ezy’s house (I don’t think we ever called him by his name – Richard Ezrilov).  Here, the stories were told that Ricky and I were not privy to when we were at camp.  It was probably better that they waited 27 years to tell us. Ricky Bloomfield is still talking about Ricky Ansel’s wake-up routine.  I can safely say that we all truly loved being together.  It also became more and more clear that the summer of 1983 was magical for each and every one of us.

Sunday we were off to camp. Sometimes things just work out – even when you don’t plan for them:  it was visitor’s day.  And my luck just kept getting better as I had the good fortune to drive up to camp with Gotts (Steve Gottlieb), Ricky and Debbie Chanen Bear — what a car ride. And yes, I had to get permission to be at camp.  I was even assigned a tour guide (thankfully it was Usey (Jeff Usem, part of our original posse). My biggest fear was just seeing the “wall” (don’t ask) and was relieved to know that I didn’t have to take a swim test. Everything was a little different, but I struggled to find my name that I had painstakingly written in toothpaste (no luck) everywhere with every date I had ever been at camp.  But when that trademark Herzl ruach started,  it sent me through a 27-year time warp. I am not sure how many decibels were blasting that morning  but I must say it was electrifying.

It was the energy in that room that gave me that Herzl feeling and made me miss camp and remind me why I went for so many years.  Being back at Herzl was timeless and perfect……I just wanted to stay.  I was so excited to be able to sing our Ozo song even though none of us remembered it (except Albie). The ’83 Ozo women were a little resistant – they didn’t feel we were “relevant.”  If you know me, of course that didn’t matter to me as I was bound and determined to belt out the old tune even if we had to use song sheets.

As we drove out that long road, I felt so lucky to have been a part of this particular group. Each of my many years at Herzl was special, but something about that Mama Ozo year, and watching each ’83 Ozo experience it then and now was just stellar. I love the 1983 Ozrim and I am so proud of each of them.  A stop at the Northview Drive-In was a bonus, and we even got a cameo appearance by friends and long-married Herzl Camp/Omaha sweethearts Corey Kirshenbaum and Marcy Noodel (their son Ryan was an Ozo last summer).

I’m glad that they worked so hard to find Ricky and me to include us in this unbelievable weekend.  Being together, hearing the stories and laughing ‘til it hurt was much more fun than a Facebook status update will ever be.  Everyone should have the opportunity to experience their Herzl memories this way – live and loud and in person.

Missy Korenblat-Hanin
1976 Camper
1977 Camper
1978 Kadimah Camper
1980 Ozo
1981 Madricha
1982 Madricha
1983 Mama Ozo
1985 Program Director