Duchmans Hit the U.S. Roads

By COLlive reporter

Rabbi Mendel Duchman is once again on the road. Now that is hardly news for the Los Angeles-based entrepreneur, non-profit consultant and motivational speaker that visits Chabad centers and communities worldwide.

What is different is that this time his wife Rochel is joining and a few others. 52 girls to be exact.

The Duchmans are leading the Camp Emunah Traveling Shluchos Program, a summer camp on the road for 10th grade Chabad girls in the U.S.

The inspiring travel program is one of many divisions under the auspices of Camp Emunah, presently celebrating its 60th anniversary under the leadership of Duchman’s mother in law, the esteemed Rebbetzin Chava Hecht, wife of the legendary Rabbi JJ Hecht OBM.

Beginning in Seattle, Washington and ending in Tijuana, Mexico, the camp is driving along the coasts of Oregon and California with stops in Vancouver in Canada, Victoria Beach, S. Francisco, Los Angeles, S. Diego and many other destinations along the way during their 3 week journey.

The girls spend the days touring, hiking, and site seeing. In the evenings, they meet Shluchim and Shluchos who spend time teaching them about Shlichus in general and the specific opportunities such a way of life provides.

Leading the program for the last 18 years were Rabbi Shaya Gansburg, the Shliach in Harlem, New York, and his wife Mrs. Goldie Gansburg, a dedicated educator in Bais Rivkah in Crown Heights. Thanks to them, the program earned a reputation such that it carries a 2 year waiting-list.

Due to health reasons, the Gansburgs took a leave of absence this summer. Asked to fill in were the Duchmans, who have combined decades of experience in running and directing day camps, overnight camps and youth programs.

Asked how they felt about scouting the country with 46 girls and 6 staff members, Mendel Duchman replied, “my shviger’s wish is my command. Do I have a choice?”

On a serious note he said: “The 2 closest persons to our hearts are Shluchim and ‘unzereh Lubavitcher kinder,’ so what better zchus do we have then to spend 3 weeks with Chabad youth while visiting close to 40 Shluchim.”

He added, “we wish Rabbi Shaya a refuah shleima and will try to be a proper fill-in.”