Camps in Ukraine Have Campers, Counselors and Psychologists

By COLlive reporter

One and a half years into the Russian-Ukrainian war, and the psychological damage on Jewish children growing up amidst the fighting and bombona is evident. Thousands of them are currently participate in Chabad’s 35 summer camps, where they are receiving professional and emotional support.

The summer camps, organized in relatively peaceful areas by Chabad Shluchim, host psychological discussions circles and therapeutic art activities guided by therapists to encourage the less expressive children to share and talk.

Under tight security and great precautions, the camps take the campers on trips to different regions, allowing them to relax and unwind, while strengthen their emotional resilience.

The various Camp Gan Israel branches in Ukraine are a joint project of Chabad’s Jewish Relief Network Ukraine (JRNU), Mosaic United and the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. Unique about them is that they also cater to some adults, who can use respite just like the children.

Included in the staff of the camps are not only counselors and teachers, but also mental health professionals and psychologists. “Each summer camp has a pre-planned educational program,” according to Rabbi Chaim Friedman from JRNU’s educational team.

Explosions Altered Plans

One of the prominent summer camps is the one hosting the orphans from the ‘Mishpacha’ children’s home in Odessa, managed by Chabad Shluchim Rabbi Avraham and Chaya Wolff.

Initially planned at a beautiful seaside hotel with breathtaking views, the reality of continued bombardment forced them to find an alternative. The hotel had it windows shattered in a Russian attack. “Fortunately, there were no casualties,” said Rabbi Wolff.

They sought a peaceful alternative location for the orphans and settlers on the smaller city of Haditch, known as the home of the Ohel of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad Chassidus and author of the Tanya.

The ten-hour journey from Odessa to Haditch was filled with gratitude towards the organizers who gave them the opportunity for a peaceful vacation one and a half years after an unending war.