Fun in the Sun at Broward Camp

by Zahava Goldwasser

Camp Gan Israel of South Broward, located at Chabad of South Broward Headquarters in Hallandale Beach, Florida, is celebrating its 26th and most successful season.

The dynamic directors, Rabbi Mendy and Endi Tennenhaus, have once again engaged the most qualified and dedicated staff. By the end of the seven weeks of Camp, the 300 plus boys and girls attending, will have experienced a most refreshing summer of extraordinary fun, learning and camp spirit permeated with love of G-d, love of Torah and love of Israel. Camp Gan Israel is one of the wide array of programs that has made Chabad of South Broward Headquarters a center that bustles from 4 am until midnight every single day.

During the summer, all activities of Chabad of South Broward, (soon entering their 34th year) which has propelled itself into a Mega Hub of Torah and Chassidus, has intensified.

The Yosef Mordechai Men’s Mikvah, a division of the Mei Menachem – Mikvah Israel Complex, opens each morning at 4 am. Over a hundred men use the Mikvah every day, over 200 men and boys use the Mikvah every Erev Shabbos. The Elana Leah Women’s Mikvah, often stays open until midnight.

During the day, there are three Shachris Minyanim at 6:45, 7:45 and 9:15. Daily Classes include Ayin Beis (well into the third year of study) at 6:15 am and Rambam at 6:30 am,(led by Rabbi Eli Phillips) Mishnayos at 9 am, (taught by Chabad’s Administrator Rabbi Moshe Schwartz) followed by Daf Yomi (given by Kollel Director Rabbi Mordy Feiner, who leads scores of weekly public classes, private classes and Lunch ‘n Learns ). In addition to the regular mini-classes between Mincha- Maariv of Sefer HaMitzvos, Inyonei Moshiach and Geulah and Daily Halacha, the Laws of the Beis HaMikdosh is being studied during the three weeks, with many Siyumim being offered during the nine days and up through Tu B’Av.

For the upcoming School Year, all educational programs are anticipating increased enrollment. This includes the Chai Tots Preschool (ChaiTotsFlorida.com), the Hallandale Hebrew School (HallandaleHebrewClub.com), and the Chaya Aydel Seminary, (ChayaAydelSem.com).

Rabbi Raphael Tennenhaus, Chabad’s executive-vice-president, says “The Rebbe’s Brocha that we outgrow our Center is unfolding before our eyes. It is very likely that a second and third floor will have to be added to our two buildings”.

Mrs Goldie Tennenhaus, Chabad’s Co-Director, recalls the Rebbe writing in a letter in the mid 1980’s, that “there should be tremendous growth with the children of the community.”

“At the time, the only children in Hallandale were mine,” she says “We did have a network of Talmud Torahs in six South Broward cities, and we opened Camp Gan Israel in 1988, but we never anticipated so many programs for children in Hallandale. What was once a community of primarily Holocaust Survivors, has evolved into a Mega Hub of programs and activities for men, women and children of all ages.”

For inquiries on all of Chabad of South Browards’ programs, which also includes CTeen Club and the Friendship Circle (SBFriendshipCircle.com), please email LTChabad@gmail.com.