By Head Counselor, Camp Gan Israel in the Poconos
When we were asked to write about our experience this summer at Camp Gan Israel in the Poconos I knew I had to. However, the same thing happened to me that happens when people ask me in person how my experience was. The words just don’t come out. I become speechless, there are no words to describe it.
So what do I say? It’s a magical place, where magical things happen. A place where all girls from every background feel welcome and accepted. A place where G-dliness and yiddishkiet are felt through and through and infused in every activity. A place where campers are given the best most exciting experience of a lifetime. Where counselors show their campers an unlimited amount of love and give themselves over literally 24/7. A place where being Jewish is cool! A place where every meal is turned into a dance party, every rest hour is turned into a water fight, and every night time is turned into a Farbrengen. A place where 80 Jewish girls were all touched in different ways.
Here is a little story from the last day of camp, just to get a glimpse of what can happen in a month at CGI Poconos.
Upon leaving camp, amidst all the tears and hugs, a camper and counselor went back to their cabin together to get the camper’s luggage as she got ready to leave.
A camper who came with no prior knowledge of Judaism, a camper that in camp said the bracha of “shehechiyanu” the first shabbos as she lit her candle for the very first time, a camper who in the beginning was very opposed to the many things she was taught in learning class.
As they got her stuff and started walking back to the front gate, the camper turned to her counselor and said, “counselor, can I ask you a question?”
To which the counselor responded, “Of course!”
The camper then said, “I know this may not be the appropriate time, but can we say Shema together just one last time before I leave?”
The counselor, shocked, took her hand and the hand of her camper, and together they covered their eyes and said the Shema together one last time.
This is the magic, this is the love, and this is the G-dliness that is felt in camp for an entire month.
Yasher koach to all of the counselors and headstaff who dedicated literally 24/7 this past month to the 80 Neshamos that were touched!
Finally, a huge Thank you to Gershon and Devorah Sandler, for dedicating their lives, their full 24/7, to touching the lives of others in ways that are unthinkable!
– The Head Counselor
This wouldn’t happen with out Sandra Paul- who is the most dedicated, role model the girls could ask for. She is a real Shlucha connecting with the girls on all levels.
Thanks for writing
If people only knew the struggles and obstacles and challenges that the Sandler’s went through over the years and the hurdles they overcame to get to where they are today (and continue to go through to maintain the Hatzlocha), they would be even more amazed and grateful for what they are doing for these girls. The years of work seeking proper facilities, fundraising challenges, legal battles, time taken away that could have been spent with their own children (surely the Rebbe is giving them extra brochos to compensate with their chinuch work!) and so much more that nobody ever sees… Read more »
I also came from a non observant family and was sent to a religious sleep away camp. I finally was in a religious envirement and became observant as a result. Once you leave the camp it is very hard to go back to an anti religious home and stay frum. The camper felt it was the last time she would be observing anything. Shema is said in a time of danger for protection as well as in the prescribed times. I said shema when i was in danger when i wasnt frum as i felt it would protect me. Please… Read more »
This is the best camp ever. The staff are really awesome, especially Mushka Silman. Her vision for camp really makes it what it is today.
Heartwarming!! Keep it up!
amazing camp! I still keep in touch with the campers! Shluchim send your community members here!