200 Kids Enjoy Antwerp Camp

Camp Gan Israel of Antwerp, Belgium, is taking the city by storm, with its excitement and “lebedigkeit”.

“Europe is different than America, and Antwerp, Belgium is even more so,” says Head Counselor Dovid Katz. “People here don’t like change, especially not wild, loud change. And the challenge of running a successful American-style Chabad-Gan Yisroel camp here in the frum – but not Chabad – community can seem daunting. But it’s been done – in fact for 40 years now!”

Chabad in Antwerp has worked and accomplished a strong and influential presence in the city, with one of the highlights of the year being the Camp Gan Israel. The campers await from the moment camp ends until next summer arrives. Unlike most Chabad day camps, this one functions with speaking Yiddish, and is made up of Litvish, Chasidish, and frum Israeli kids.

The 200 plus campers are enjoying a summer of learning, energy, friendship, and growth. At the heart of the success of the camp are the directors and staff. The staff has the opportunity to instill Chassidus, life lessons, and deep meaning into the values that these children already posses.

Camp Gan Israel of Antwerp is presently in its 41st summer, and they are smashing records. During all this action, the biggest part of the day is Mishnayos Baal peh. Every day the counselors stay after camp and test kids on lines of Mishnayos and Tanya which they have memorized. One camper has done over 8 mesechtas!

Many thanks to the directors Rabbi Shabti Slavatitzsky, Rabbi Yossi Slavatitzsky, head counselor Dovid Katz, and all the rest of the staff.