85 campers and 40 staff members will never forget the incredible three and a half weeks filled with trips, learning, creative clubs and swimming spent at the 8th annual Jewish Girls Summer Retreat in Albany NY, founded and directed by Rabbi Avraham and Nechama Laber and working with Rabbi Israel Rubin of Capital Region Chabad.
The Jewish Girls Summer Retreat brought together girls from as far away as Sweden, France and as close as Albany and united campers from every level of observance in an atmosphere of warmth and acceptance, where every girl is encouraged to shine, grow and become part of the camp family!
In one room, Masha, a 13 year old daughter of Shluchim from PA helps Leah, a student at the Chabad of Monaco, France practice reading the Shema from a Siddur. In another room, Chaya, the daughter of shluchim in MA is having a DMC – deep meaningful conversation – with Anya whose family attends Chabad House in Markham, Ontario about why a Jewish girl would want to be tznius. At a bunk farbrengen, Naomi from Chabad of Florida inspires her bunk with the story of how her family started keeping Shabbos. On Tisha B’av night, the girls built the Beis Hamikdash symbolically by taking on new mitzvot. Bina, who is close to the Namdars – Shluchim in Sweden, decided that she would begin lighting Shabbos candles, and others took on to say Shema, dress more modestly and daven everyday.
This is a small taste of what goes on at the Retreat and how girls from all backgrounds learn from one another.
With a 1:2-1:3 staff to camper ratio and the support of talented and dedicated staff, each camper can also grow individually in her character, mitzvos and talents. Each night girls checked off a chart with the Mitzvos they are working on from saying Modeh Ani to the daily Chitas to being more respectful. In the teen division, each girl met periodically with a mentor of her choice, and set goals that would help her to better herself.
Yocheved Daphna, a parent from the Five Towns, is so pleased that she chose this camp for her daughter. “This was the first time my daughter was exposed to girls who are not yet observant. This experience gave her the opportunity to share her Torah education and truly think about her heritage in a way she never did.”
In her daughter Golda’s own words, “being in JGR reminded me why I love being Jewish all over again and made me grateful for the Jewish upbringing in which I was raised.”
“There is no place in the world where you feel such unity! The positivity, non-judgmental atmosphere, unconditional love and warmth between campers and staff of all backgrounds is what makes this camp unique, says Miriam Goldberg from Seattle, WA. Miriam started off as a teen camper and was a counselor this past summer.
Chaya Leah Dickel reflected on her time in JGR as a waitress and writes: “Thank you for making an awesome camp. I have been to quite a few camps and of all the camps that I have attended this camp has the most Ahavas Yisroel!”
Every summer the girls star in a professional film and tell a story through drama, song and dance. This year’s movie is based on a true story about Rabbi Azriel Yitzchak Wasserman OBM. “A New Leaf” tells the tale of teenage Mindy, who discovers her Jewish heritage. On her journey, Rabbi Wasserman guides her to realize the value of family, friendship and the power of her Jewish soul. Rabbi Wasserman obm was a beloved teacher and mentor to thousands and the 28th yortzeit was commemorated during camp. “His deep concern and unconditional love for every Jew touched so many lives until today. It is clear that my father, Rabbi Wasserman obm is the force and energy behind the non-judgmental and loving atmosphere in camp and that it is here that his teachings live on,” Nechama Laber remarked.
Miriam W. a former student of Rabbi Wasserman at Machon Chana in the 80’s discovered the same inspiration that she felt in Rabbi Wasserman’s classes for her 12 year old daughter, who attended JGR this summer. She writes, “Thank you for bringing me right back to that very special time in my life when Rabbi Wasserman was a role model and inspiration in how to live each moment connected to Hashem. I am thankful to Hashem that we have been connected through JGR. It is so uplifting to see what you are doing and how you are doing it. I am sure that Rabbi Wasserman is getting a lot of nachas from this camp and its giving him something to point to when he begs from his place in heaven for Moshiach.”
One of the highlights of the summer occurred on the last Shabbos of camp. The two oldest teen bunks walked to the Shabbos House Student Center, run by Rabbi Mendel and Raizy Rubin, for a special Shacharit and Kiddush celebration. Their bunk mate, Cheyenne, received her Jewish name and is now proudly called Laya. And in her speech at the banquet on the last day of camp, she told everyone, “Before camp I didn’t know what being Jewish meant and I didn’t know if I would fit in. It turns out that the people here are amazing and very accepting. I made many new friends and learned a lot about being a Jew.”
Many of the 15-year old campers in the oldest bunk called the “Lamplighters” have been returning to camp over the last 6 years. “I made the most amazing friends here. JGR is my family and I just never want to leave you”, said Audrey Larson from Sharon, MA at the candle lighting ceremony.
Ellie Parker from Chabad of the Cobb in GA has attended almost every winter and summer retreat since she was 10 and was awarded with the MISS JGR AWARD at the banquet. Ellie told the crowd, “Every positive change I made in my life can be traced back to my summer and winter retreat experiences. Thank you JGR for changing my life!”
As the campers often sing, “JGR planted seeds in me changing my life, bringing me closer to Yiddishkeit… what I learned here forever I’ll do.”
For more information on the winter or summer retreats, ordering the Movie – A New Leaf and supporting future programs. Please Visit: www.jewishgirlscamp.com or call Rabbi Avraham or Nechama
Laber at 518-727-9581 or e-mail [email protected]
There aren’t any pics of them here, but a huge thank you goes to the waitresses for all their hard work!!! Camp wouldn’t have rolled without them:) Devorah, Yocheved, Frayde, Rivka, and Chaya Leah- thank you for contributing to this awesome summer!
you’re the best!!!!!
love you know who :)))
You did so much to make this summer
a success. Thank you from all the staff of JGR!!
Our daughter loves JGR! It is a place where every girl is accepted and loved. We are truly thankful we found this camp. Thank you Rabbi and Mrs. Laber for creating an amazingly warm and loving environment! We feel truly blessed to be a part of JGR.
You did an incredible job producing A New Leaf!
You made every girl into a star!!
The message of the movie is powerful and relates
to every Shlucha and her community of women and girls.
I miss all the awesome ppl and the amazing non-judging atmosphere! The best place to be and to grow!
People keep on saying how amazing camp was this year, but without…Racheli Sneiderman ( head chef) camp wouldn’t have been great. her food was LITERALLY amazing, thanks racheli!!
JGR really inspires every camper….
no matter what their home background is…
It was a great summer.
As long as I can have the opportunity to return….
I plan to be there every summer!!!
I love JGR!!!!
Thank you to Leah Larson Caras, founder of Yaldah Magazine, for helping to plant the JGR seeds.
I love JGR wih all my heart!
go Chavie!!!!
Wow!!! These girls are so special and lucky to be joining such an amazing camp!
Rivky F. and Mushka T, you were the best, best hc’s in the world! Thank you so much for creating the most positive, beautiful atmosphere in camp. The two of you were a match min hashamayim! Thanks again!
You rock, Laya! You are such an inspiration to all of us! May you go from strength to strength.
yay mushka teitlebaum! im sure u were the best hc!
Brocha Marazov!
JGR was a phenomenal experience!!! There’s no other place like it!! Yasher koach to the wonderful, dedicated Labers!
Keep up the good work!!!
I had just an incredible time!!! thank you everyone!!
the best camp in the universe!!!!!!!!
were always late
JGR ROCKS
Huge shkoach to the Labers for this amazing camp.
Bina, we are so proud of you!
From all of us in Sweden
Keep up the wonderful work that you are doing.
I spy the greatest bunk ever seen in camps history! Bunk seven I miss u all! Dreaming of sparkles…remember bunk seven I really love you!!!!! Mwaaaaa
We rock ppl!! Miss u 🙂
The Laber’s are the most incredible people!!
Go YEHUDIS & CHANA MIRIAM
Love you TONS
Winter retreat is the weekend of Dec. 25.
Usually Wed. – Sun.
Avraham and Nechama amazing job once again. Keep it up!
Shayna!!!! And chaya!!!!! And Chana!!!!! And Bracha!!!!! And Mushka!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So it was awesome, right?
AMAZING pictures, AMAZING programming, AMAZING beyond description! My hat off to you all!!! Nechama YOU ARE INCREDIBLE and INSPIRATIONAL! The girls are so fortunate to be in your aura!!!!!!!
YENTA SHAYNAAAAA!!!
love u!!!!!!!!!!
you really gave so much love and care to these girls.
#1 best counsler ever! go bracha marazov!!!!!!!!!!!!!
love, ur camper from pc
any dates yet for winter retreat
Go Chava and bracha!! Looks like ur having an awesome time!
-dormie
it was so much fun
I spot my adorable campers!!! Who’s the best bu-unk? BUUUNK 4!!! I miss you all so much!:)
you rock
love ur grade mates
There’s no camp in the world like Jgr! Camper and counselor alike have the greatest and most life changing experiences! I miss it like nuts!!!!! Its literally a family!
Go MSYers!
jgr rooooooooooocks!!!!!!!
Nechama Im sure your father is shepping nachas from shamayin for the work you do continuing his legacy
Bubby K
ma bunk, ma bunk, ah luv, ah luv, ma bunk! so nice to see pics of you;) miss you all!!
What a special place! The sense of achdus and ahavas yisroel comes through so clearly. Thank you, Nechama Laber and staff, for making such a wonderful camp for girls.
GO CHAVIE RESNICK AND SARALAYA ROCKFORD!!!!
I love JGR and can’t wait to go back for the winter retreat!!
In JGR, EVERYBODY is welcome and feels part of the JGR family!
Thank you Nechama Laber!!
We’re looking for you…! Love you!
~ your cousins who missed you this summer…..
mushka teitelbaum!! the best hc out there!!
Looks like a lot of fun!!
THE MOMMY OF US ALL :):):)
(this is the most imp part of the song…;) “Each time that you smile, each thing that you share, your changing the world cuz you took time to care, your giving us nachas each thing that you do.. remember dear campers. we really love you!!
couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to spend my summer with!
The best place for every jewise girl to go
And the Labers’ put there heart and soul in the camp
Thr best camp ever JGR !!!!!
JGR literally changed my life. thanks for an awesome summer!!!
was one of my best summers, keep the good work going!
The Laber’s pour their heart and soul into JGR and make it such an incredible experience for each and every camper! Looks like another wonderful summer…