By Rabbi Avrohom Brashevitzky – Doral, Florida
Last week, I received a most moving WhatsApp message which brought tears to my eyes. It was a short video clip of a young boy named Luis with a message to his rabbi on his last day at the Ckids Gan Israel Florida, taking place in North Carolina.
Baruch Hashem, I am a father to children who are currently in camp. It is very rewarding to see their giant smiles in pictures the camps post online. There’s nothing like seeing your kid genuinely happy. I obviously cherish each and every one of these communications.
But this video was different and beyond anything I’ve felt in a very long time – on Shlichus.
The real treat, even greater than the above-mentioned, came on Shabbos as we sat down in Shul for Kiddush. Luis, back from camp, had a question for me. “Rabbi, can you please teach me the prayers we say before food?”
It wasn’t just an effort of his to make conversation. I could detect the chayus, the warmth and the Chassidishkite that infused him during his short stay in camp. His outside appearance did not change. He had the same hair, same clothing, same everything. But, “eppes hot zich gerirt.” Something changed.
I’m writing this to say thank you to the wonderful counselors who accomplished so much, in so little time. I know you could have traveled to exotic locations on Merkos Shlichus, or served as staff or head staff “amongst your own,” where the job may have been so much easier. Instead, you chose to give it all you’ve got to help these beautiful neshamos and contribute to their becoming the Rebbe’s children.
Thank you to the staff, and thank you to Rabbi Levi and Chaya Plotkin for all that you have done to run a successful camp and make sure that Jewish children have a realistic chance to go to a real Jewish camp.
Community members sometimes comment, “Rabbi, if I win the lottery, you’ll be on the top of my list.” I haven’t seen much funds for such promises, but it does make clear how important our work is to them. So I say the same to Ckids Gan Israel. If I win the lottery, you will certainly be on top of my giving list.
Go bunk gimmmmmmeeellllllllllll
i heard that they had the top staff this year,
shim dovid and mendel !!!!
What amazing counselors and head staff! Incredible group
ckids ’82 was ultra mega
amazing staff etc.
I am writing as one of the staff members that was part of this camp. You could not even imagine how involved the kids were in everything that happened in camp. This is due to the tremendous effort and dedication of the staff, the counselors, the head staff and the directors. It is so hard to describe the energy that the kids got and gave. They lived an experienced Judaism in each and every learning class, each and every day. They got up early for Coco Club, they put all that effort into Torah by Heart. On Friday nights they… Read more »
Ckids Gan Israel Florida this year was literally super deluxe ultra mega !!!!!! 🔥
This camp was in its third year, but it felt like it’s 10th year in regard to the level of this program.
Can’t explain in words my experience, was amazing program, very well ran, professional, the on site activity’s we’re nuts. I left inspired, and strengthened, the Neshamas that were Nisgale left a crazy impact in me, that I can’t do scribe.
Thank you to rabbi Plotkin and his wife for this crazy and awesome experienced.
I would love to come back.
Best counselor!!!!!!
This camp seems to be top quality!!
I loved this camp, it was the best!!!!! Ultra mega!!!!! Fish mendel and mayer were the best!!!!!
Not only was this camp a huge nachas to the Rebbe, but the Kiddush Lubavitch that resulted due to the incredible work of staff and founding Directors, levi and Chaya Plotkin is tremendous.
May this ckids Gan Yisroel be an impetus for many new GAN IZZY so that each Jewish child receives the chayus and Inspiration to grow in their Yiddishkeit.
Kol hakovod and a huge Hakoroas Hatov to all the hard working staff. May they be blessed with an abundance of Brochos and may we finally welcome the good news of the coming of Moshiach. AMEN!!