Belated Thank You From Yeka

By Chaim Leiter

Rustig, David, Denise and Moshe committed to putting on Teffillin and received pairs of Teffillin as a result. Yaroslav joined the Bris of Avraham this summer (he is now called Zalman, after his favorite staff member). Dimah who was always afraid to tell anyone that he is Jewish, being the only Jew in his school, decided to keep Shabbos till the next summer.

Maxim from Slavuta had his first camp experience this summer. He is a shy, socially awkward kid. Typically, he would rather be at home with his grandmother than spend time with other kids. But, whenever asked if he is ready to leave and go home he would firmly say “Niyet!”, that he loves camp and never wants to leave.

Camp Yeka, also known as “Gan Eden of the Ukraine,” existed for three weeks this past summer. Many never believed it would actually happen and that our efforts, regardless of the outcome, were a waste of time.

In the end, over 100 kids walked through our doors this summer. For more than 30 children, this was their first time in a Jewish camp (i.e. first time having fun being Jewish). Campers learnt the importance and beauty of Yiddishkeit.

The campers learnt the basics of Judaism this summer and that Yiddishkeit is cool. Looking at campers and counselors faces tearing up on the last day of camp, one couldn’t tell who had it harder leaving.

Summer camps in the former Soviet Union have proven over and over again to bear long term results, hence the necessity and importance that it always be available. There are tens of thousands of Jewish children who are raised by parents with a communist mindset and a fear of their Judaism. Camps, especially ones with American staff, change that squared mindset. They turn that fear into love, acceptance and a desire for more.

One of our donors sent me an email during the summer. I never met him in my life. I have no clue how heard about us. He was asking a few technical questions about his donation which I answered and gave him an update about the camp.

He responded: “Such camps are crucial and I was part of a Jewish camp (non Chabad though) in Kiev at the age of 11-12 which was a crucial part of having a warm place to start growing in Yiddeshkeit later in my life.”

After camp this year, a few staff members went sightseeing in Kiev, during their last night in Ukraine. This guy, seeing that they are Jewish, walks over to them and starts singing a Gan Yisroel song. He was in camp years ago and still remembered every word. They set on the street corner, fabrenging, till the staff members had to leave for the airport.

I would love to continue with more stories from camp but alas I am afraid that people when seeing the length of this article won’t read it. And what I am about to write next is really important for people to read.

Even though officially our camp was only located in their area the Shluchim got involved and helped in every aspect of camp. The Zhitomer Shluchim survive on the bare minimum. Zhitomer is a poor city with thousands of Jews. Yet, from the first day that two other staff members and I arrived, they spared no expense or comfort to make our stay more comfortable.
From the Sheindrovs who fed us delicious meals working around our ridiculous schedules no matter what the hour always greeted us with a smile. When hearing of our meager supplies they cooked and baked for our Kevorim trip (All this they took on on their own).

The Rubins, with their knowledge of the city and the campgrounds constantly worked with us to make sure the camp would have every extracurricular activity possible. They smoothed out all the rough patches us as Americans would encounter throughout the summer.

The Dvorkins who invited us on Friday nights to fabraing after the campers were asleep. To Rabbi Shlomo Wilhelm, Head Shliach of western Ukraine, when I called him regarding making the camp in his grounds (there hasn’t been one there for the last 3 years due to financial issues) he agreed right away. I could hear his smile of delight over the phone. He gave us his secretary and said that anything we need she will take care of.

At great expense to himself (he only asked us to cover the food bill all other utilities he paid for) he told us to fill every bed and more. Once when walking through the grounds during a camp day he turns to one of the head counselors saying, “this is how it should always be here; you can feel the chayus and happiness in the air”. May they all experience great ease and Hatzlacha in their shlichus!

Most people can’t be bothered with writing “Thank you letters.” (That is part of the reason this took so long in coming.) Even more people wouldn’t even glance at a “Thank you” letter not written to them. Nevertheless, this one is being written and I hope you will enjoy reading it because the efforts of these people and the outcomes of this awesome endeavor can’t go unnoticed.

This camp couldn’t have happened without you – our supporters. It couldn’t have happened without the random donations online. It couldn’t have happened without your purchase of that multi-colored T-Shirt. It couldn’t have happened without you liking that photo on Facebook. Every time you spoke about, shared, listened to some Bachur talk about Yeka that’s what made Yeka happen.

Before I end off I would like to thank four groups of people, (some of who, usually get taken for granted). Without their support I wouldn’t have been able to organize this camp. I am writing in first person as this reflects my experience directing and fundraising for this amazing camp with these awesome humans. They are, in no particular order of importance: our donors and supporters, the Shluchim from Zhitomir Ukraine (where camp was held), the staff both from this year and previous summers and my parents (and family).

Thank you to all the corporate sponsors who donated big (you guys were the financial foundation that made camp happen), Jewish websites who constantly put up our articles, friends who gave Yeka their spending money, struggling parents who bought our designer (priced) T-shirts for their families, elementary students who bought our wristbands and and everyone who donated time, energy, and money.

Most organizations will arrange a black tie affair giving out different awards to honor the big donors. We aren’t going to make a fancy dinner and we aren’t able to give out any plaques. If we had extra cash it would go right back to the kids. (As this is being written, with the extra money from the summer and some fundraising on their part, their are 3 Yekaboyz making Chanukah parties/camp reunions in the Jewish schools where many of our campers are found. They came with Chanukah Gelt and gifts for all the children.)

In Yeka, you all are our big donors, take a look at Tola smiling and accept that as your plaque. Read this article and pat yourself on the back knowing that you made this Gan Eden happen. May your benevolence add Berochos to you and your families.

The staff, integral in every camp, outdid themselves here. Special mention goes to fellow Head counselors and Directors: Shneur Chein and Yakov Shmuel Golomb. It was my first time on the job and your experience and dedication taught me tons. You probably could’ve gotten less demanding better paying jobs but you choose to give the kids/Yeka a chance this summer. Truth be told Yeka counselors (or as they are known, YekaBoyz) are of another breed. I don’t know of any other camp that expects their staff to fund its program. Before camp many times I worried that we wouldn’t come up with the money (Gimmul Tamuz time we only had 20k). Shluchim weren’t registering kids. Yet the staff, with Hashem’s constant help, pulled through big time. We had more kids registered before the first day of camp than any other year (75% signed up three days before camp!). Campers hailed from over 15 cities throughout Ukraine. Guys, First time staff, who never experienced the magic of Yeka harassed everyone they knew to make sure camp would happen. Yekaboyz promoted camp at 4 different Lag Baomer Parades across the world. Counselors canvassed the entire Toronto , going door to door, collecting ben Hasedarim.

When camp started the staff outshone their previous accomplishments. Being with the kids from morning till night (they only had 2 1/2 hours a day alone which was used for Davening and rushing through Chitas Rambam) barely able to speak the language, they gave the kids every bit of energy they never knew they had. I thank you guys for giving over 5 months for these kids. No head counselor ever had a more dedicated selfless group or better partners. No words will suffice to adequately praise you for what you have done. Parents know that though your sons may not have walked out with money in their pockets, doing what they have done one doesn’t need to receive monetary reward to feel accomplished. A few times guys came over to me thanking me for accepting them as staff (most guys wouldn’t even apply hearing of the hard work during camp, let alone before!). I thank you for giving me another chance to come back to Yeka.

Last but the most due: Totty and Mommy. I will try to explain what they have done for this camp. I apologize in advance as this won’t scratch the surface. In the acknowledgments at the beginning of a book, authors will usually write something along the lines: “last but not least I would like to thank my spouse/parents for without them I couldn’t have done it”. I always thought it was really cheeky. Come on, you wrote the book without you the book couldn’t have been written (not them).

During this long project, I realized the truth behind those words. It was my first real life undertaking. When I started everyone (including my parents) were skeptical. Sixty thousand dollars plus setting up a camp halfway around the word is impossible. The Shluchim in Ukraine are wealthy, it’s their responsibility” and similar remarks were common, from donors as well as my parents. Once my parents saw that I was going to see this through till the end, they fully supported our endeavor. Forget the advice, time, know how and turning our house over into Yeka campaign HQ (almost everything, from: people, donations and the supplies that we had in camp come through our doors). Keep in mind I am the second oldest of 8 and my family was in middle of moving overseas. And put aside the financial support and fundraising they did for camp for a moment.

The emotional support, believing that I would get the job no matter what came along that’s what kept me going. A few times I was ready to give up. I wished that I never took it on. I wished that I could just “crawl under a rug” and it would all go away. I felt the project was too big, especially in the small time frame, for me. When things got over my head they set me straight. They were always there to listen to my worries. Many times they would stop from what they were doing , even during business hours to: advise, help in any way they could and encourage. They believed in the purpose (and in me) when my belief was clouded. There were so many obstacles from the start, without things not working out along the way. Many times details, donations and people that we counted on never pulled through. That was the hardest. It took away any passion that was driving me. My parents were there to keep me going. Without them I couldn’t have done it.

Totty and Mommy, Yeka counselors, Zhitomer Shluchim, donors and supporters 100 kids owe their summer and probably their (Jewish) future to you. The Jewish future thanks you. I thank you for making Yeka possible this summer.

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