By COLlive reporter
The Tzeirei HaShluchim West Coast Winter Boys Camp, in partnership with Merkos 302’s MyShliach, has concluded an amazing eight, fun-packed days of chayus, chassidishkeit and excitement.
Over 100 Shluchim’s children from across the West Coast have come together for eight days of fun and friendship in a chassidishe atmosphere. Most of these children live out of established Jewish communities and this unique camp of chassidshkeit and excitement gives them a special opportunity to enjoy what many other Jewish children take for granted.
Nestled in the Verdugo Mountains of Glendale, California, the 113 acre camp affords an amazing experience with beautiful mountain views, hiking trails, archery, sports fields, outdoor amphitheaters and much more. In addition to all the on-site activities, the children also went on a grand trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain.
On Motzoi Shabbos Hey Teves, the children were honored with a special visit by the Head Shliach of California, Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin. Rabbi Cunin gave the children Chizuk and shared stories of the Rebbe regarding Shlichus. Rabbi Cunin put special emphasis on the importance of Hey Teves and on the release of all the Seforim which are still being held captive in Russia. He recalled that the Rebbe told him that when the Seforim are all released Moshiach will come.
On Wednesday evening, when the news of the release of Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin reached the camp, the children were treated to a very special evening of dancing and Simcha with Rabbi Yosef Muchnik, Shliach in Camarillo, California.
On Sunday evening, there was a grand banquet with a keynote addresses given by the young Shliach Dovid Cunin from S. Jose, California. He shared with fellow Tzeirei HaShluchim regarding what it means to be a lamplighter when one lives in a small and distant Jewish community and the immense impact that all Tzeirei HaShluchim can have on the fellow Jewish children in their communities by being a Dugma Chaya.
Amongst the many special visitors to camp were Rabbi Yehudah Weg, head Shliach to Oklahoma and Rabbi Yossi Mintz, Shliach to the Beach Cities, California. These Shluchim inspired the boys with stories of the Rebbe and emphasized just how special they were in helping their parents fulfil the Rebbe’s holy Shlichus.
A special curriculum was compiled by MyShliach with the assistance of Rabbis Mendel Shanowitz and Mendy Kotlarksy. This curriculum is geared specifically toward Tzeirei HaShluchim in remote and small communities and its objective is to help them overcome challenges unique to their Shlichus. One example is the issue of Shabbos afternoons with no other frum children to spend time or play with. These classes provided a framework of how special Shabbos is within the context of the challenges and how to better address the loneliness they sometimes face.
The exceptional staff, led by head-counselors Mendy Heber, Shaya Itkin and Leibel Bendet who provided round-the clock chassidishe warmth and a positive environment for these precious children.
The camp is directed by veteran directors Rabbi Zalmy and Shterna Kudan and Rabbi Mendel and Rochel Loschak.
This camp is organized and run by Shluchim for Shluchim. The executive committee overseeing the camps funding and operations are California Shluchim Rabbis Simcha Backman, Nachman Abend and Shlomo Bistritsky.
A very special thanks to all the supporters of the Tzeirei HaShluchim Camp, especially Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky and Reb Shmulik Aizenberg.
The Tzeirei HaShluchos West Coast Winter Girls Camp began on Monday with close to 100 girls participating. To help fund this special and unique camp please click here: https://www.tzeireihashluchimcamp.com/donate.html
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