Camp “Recharges” Shluchim Kids

Young Shluchos have returned home from the European Gan Yisroel camp for Tzeirei Hashluchos in Sweden. Despite the the lateness of the last hours of camp, spent singing, dancing and cheering at the banquet, they returned to 42 different cities and 31 countries with a new excitement. Though their voices are hoarse from singing for 3 weeks, their energy is sky high.

“The Tzeirei HaShluchos camp in Sweden helps set the kids’ internal compass, a tool I see them use time and again when they are faced with choices throughout life, even when camp days are over,” says Freidy Brackman, who runs Chabad of Oxford, England, together with her family. “It gives a chasidishe lens through which the world is a joyous and loving place, where everything is a kli to serving Hashem and fulfilling the Rebbe’s mission.”

The camp strengthens the bond of new and old friendships with fellow campers who live on similar time zones and share lives dedicated to teaching Yiddishkeit to their communities.

Sara B from NY said “As a staff member, I thought I was coming to inspire the campers, and help the shluchim. It turned out that the campers were my inspiration! They live with the Rebbe. They are so proud of their shlichus. I thought I was coming to help the Namdars. Instead I learnt what it means to be ibergigeben. Every ounce of strength, every recourse is used to give the campers the best summer that they can have. Camp gives them Chayus to continue on their shlichus, a chance to build everlasting friendships, and gives them a fun, happy time. I came to camp and felt that I joined a big warm, happy, encouraging family of shluchim.”

In the atmosphere of the beautiful scenery on the West Coast of Sweden, the girls enjoyed great trips, inspirational farbrengens, interactive learning, mivtzoyim, creative activities and sports and non stop fun.

” Even though we all come from different places, we all have so much in common. In my bunk of 12 girls, we come from 9 different countries! ,” said Chaya Mushka Altabe from Marseille, France. Her mother, Vivi Altabe adds:
“Home affects our children in a powerful way.
Friends affect our children in a powerful way.
Mashpiim who talk from the heart reach the hearts of our children.
Which is why sending my girls to Sweden camp is not a luxury. It’s a basic need.
It gives them a home, friends and hashpaa to last them a lifetime.”

This Shluchos family reunion has been held yearly – summer and winter in Gothenburg, Sweden since 5769. Directed by Rabbi Alexander and Leah Namdar, directors of Chabad in Sweden, and staffed by team of dedicated counselors and head counselors, the camp is a project of Chabad of Sweden in conjunction with MyShliach and Rabbi Kotlarsky of Merkos Leinyonei Chinuch.

Rabbi Alexander Namdar remarks:” The Rebbe said in a sicha of Acharon shel Pesach 5741: ‘Every effort should be made to ensure to enroll their children, boys and girls, in a camp that is permeated with the spirit of Yiras Hashem and Ahavas Hashem throughout the day and night.
In such an atmosphere…the child will derive more benefit and more good will be accomplished than the whole 10 months of the previous school year!’
These powerful words of the Rebbe are especially important for kids of Shluchim living in remote locations. Our hope is that the chayus in learning, davening, shlichus and yiddishkeit bichlal will beezras Hashem continue all year. I can attest to the great impact on my own childhood from Gan Yisroel in Italy, run by Shluchim Gareliks and Lazars.”

“Camp is a lifeline for my girls,” says Bina Stiefel, who is on shlichus in Piestany, Slovakia. “Living in a place where there are no Jewish children their ages, camp is what keeps them going. The energy and inspiration fuels them from one camp session to the next. It brings out the best in them and gives them the pride and strength to continue in our Shlichus.”

Mushki Freedman of Bahia Blanca who was HC together with Mussie Danow of Leeds, says: “Camp added a chayus to every part of the day of a chossid – from Modeh Ani until Krias Shma. We left feeling so lucky to be on Shlichus, and the responsibility we have that we have to bring Moshiach! It ingrained in us a deeper Hiskashrus to the Rebbe.”

Campers were inspired by counselor Fruma Hurwitz, daughter of Dina and Yitzi Hurwitz of Temecula, California, speaking about Emuna and simcha, no matter the challenge.

Registration for winter camp will open after Tishrei, Beezras Hashem.