20 Languages, 1 Camp, 1 Heart

Gan Yisroel for European Tzeirei HaShluchos in Sweden enjoyed an incredible summer this year, with 60 campers and staff members gathering from 43 cities in Europe and worldwide.

“The best part of camp was meeting girls that are growing up on Shlichus, just like me,” says Sosha Bentolila, age 15. “Living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, I do not have many Jewish friends, so meeting and being friends with shluchos was a great experience for me.”

Campers growing up in remote Shlichus locations have a chance to spend time with real live friends, who share the same lives.

“We are all different, from different countries but we all have something big in common – we’re all Shluchos of the Rebbe!” muses Sosha. “During camp we realize how we have the kochos and the chayus to bring the Jewish people closer to Yiddishkeit, to bring Moshiach! And this counts for every Jew. Now I have new friends and all the chayus to bring Moshiach closer!”

One of the camp’s traditions is singing this song after Licht Bentchen in every language spoken by the campers and staff:

“If I would have the might
I would run into the night
And I would cry out Shabbos
Shabbos, Shabbos, Shabbos.”

This year, 20 languages were counted. That’s right: an average of a different language for every 3 girls!

Amazingly, despite the diverse languages, the girls really connect with an amazing unity. Shluchos with one Rebbe, one mind, one heart and one goal: Bringing Moshiach now.

This year the camp focused on the call of the Rebbe “Tut altz vos ir kent!” The Shabbos after the urgent call to bring Moshiach on 28 Nissan 5751, the Rebbe explained that this would be accomplished through doing Mitzvos Behiddur. Each day of camp, the campers discovered a new chayus through learning chassidus, halochos and stories relating to each MItzva, from Modeh Ani and Negel Vasser in the morning to Krias Shema at night.

It was a source of nachas to see a new chayus in Hiddur Mitzva from the campers as they went about their day.

“My best part of camp was the official and not official farbrengens. The dedication, love and care – we saw this in everything that the staff did in camp,” says Brocha Mondshine, 14 from Moscow. “I gained a lot of kochos and chassidishkeit for a whole year on Shlichus until next year!”

“I really enjoyed how homey and caring the atmosphere of camp is. The family atmosphere created in camp doesn’t exist anywhere else,” says Mushka Paltiel of Port Washington, NY, one of the staff members.

“The way the kids speak about the Rebbe and their shlichus, their faces light up. You really see kids happily living on mesiras nefesh, living with the Rebbe in the most basic, day to day way.”

The 3 week camp included exciting trips on the beautiful West Swedish coastal area, exciting activities, and the grand trip to the famous Liseberg Amusement Park. Farbrengens, great shiurim and an incredible Tzivos Hashem Learn and Do program gave the summer the chassidishe chayus that is the trademark of this camp.

Gan Yisroel Tzeirei Hashluchos Sweden is a project of Chabad Lubavitch Sweden, directed by Rabbi Alexander and Leah Namdar, in partnership with My Shliach of Merkos Suite 302 and Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky.