Since 1980 under the leadership of the Shliach of the Rebbe, Rabbi Dovid Weitman, Camp Gan Israel Brazil has been running summer and winter camps. Since then, the camp grew BH every year, and made a great impact on the lives of hundreds of Jewish teens.
In 2022 Gan Israel Brazil decided to take a step forward and expanded its projects internationally, running a travel camp for teens. BH after a first year of great success, we are pleased to announce that we’ll be running the Brazil travel camp once again this summer. This once-in-lifetime trip is for American girls completing 9th and 10th grade. Our camp dates for 2023 are July 31 – August 21.
During the 3 week trip, the campers will have the opportunity to get a real taste of Brazil. They’ll tour breath-taking, natural sceneries across the beautiful, tropical country. The camp will travel to the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro, world known for its beautiful mountains overlooking the ocean, to the Iguazu waterfalls that were awarded as one of the 7 wonders of the world, the city of S. Paulo hometown to one of the largest Jewish communities in South America, and to the beautiful old town of Recife.
Along with the beautiful scenery, the camp will have daily Shiurim, high standards of Tznius and Yiras Shomayim, the opportunity to visit local Shluchim and hear their stories, visit the first Shul established in the Americas (1642), and experience authentic Shlichus.
The camp will be based in Gan Israel’s large and modern campgrounds located in the beautiful mountains in the region of Atibaia. The grounds feature comfortable accommodations, a shul, 2 swimming pools, beach tennis, a beautiful lake with kayaks, and many other recreational amenities.
The experienced staff under the direction of Rabbi Chaim and Bassie Weitman, come with great Chayus and excitement, ready to give the campers their all. The campers will surely be uplifted, and left with unforgettable memories.
Limited spots.
For more details visit: https://travelcamp.ganisrael.com.br
ABOUT OUR FIRST YEAR
A group of 30 girls coming out of 9th and 10th grade, from across the whole US, and led by five experienced staff members, the group traveled across Brazil for 3 weeks. The trip began in July when the group landed in Brazil and went straight to the large and modern campground located in the beautiful mountains in the region of Atibaia. There the campers got to enjoy the amenities of the grounds such as swimming pools, tree climbing, beach tennis, and other activities brought to camp like zumba classes. That’s besides day trips nearby such as water rafting, horseback riding, boating and paintball shooting.
The Ruchniyus program accompanied the girls during the whole travel camp. At their arrival they got a briefing about Tsnius rules and behavior. A daily shiur was given on selected Igros from the Rebbe that were analyzed and commented. Every day another girl prepared the Hayom Yom and Sefer Hamitsvos, and at the end of the day Chitas was learned together. The counselors, besides being very friendly with the campers, also served as personal Mashpia to the girls, with excellent results.
Not too long after settling in the campgrounds, the campers already had to get ready for the next trip. Each camper received a beautiful travel bag designed specially for the “Brazil Travel Camp” and once packed the group departed to one of the most visited cities in the southern hemisphere and known for its natural settings, the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro. Rio is located between mountains and the Atlantic Ocean with an extensive coast. There the campers hiked up one of the mountains and got to enjoy some breath-taking views of the city. Campers also had a chance to walk along the beach boardwalk, enjoy the breeze from the ocean, and buy some souvenirs, ofcourse! The highlights of the Rio trip was going up the famous Sugarloaf mountain by cable car overlooking Rio de Janeiro. During Shabos the campers were hosted by the Shluchim in Copacabana, one of the most touristic areas in Rio and during Shabos they got to experience the taste of Shlichus in Brazil, and hear some stories from the Shlucha Mrs. Debby Stifelman.
The next trip the campers had was to the north east of Brazil, to the city of Recife. Before this trip the girls had a preparatory class with Rabbi Dovid Weitman, where they learned about the Spanish inquisition and how the jewish people made their way to Recife. After catching an early morning flight together, the group landed in Recife and visited the first Shul in the Americas; Kahal Zur Israel, which was established by the Dutch jews who fled the inquisition back in the sixteen hundreds. There, the campers gathered to hear some emotional stories, Tehilim, Davening and songs. Besides its historical and jewish past, Recife is also world-known for its beautiful beaches and palm trees groves. The campers had an amazing time jeeping along the sand, and having a chance to swim by the clear turquoise waters. But “no one was in Recife without buying souvenirs”, so the campers had some time to walk around the main street and shop for souvenirs.
Before heading to the airport to catch the flight back to S. Paulo, the campers were hosted by the local Shluchim for a delicious dinner at their Chabad house, and got to hear from Rabbi Alexander Mizrachi together with his wife about the challenges of living in a small town and what a Zechus it is to be part of this mission.
In between each big trip the campers returned to the base campgrounds, there, they got to have a Shabbaton with the local Pardes Chana Brazilian girls and make new friends. The girls also had the opportunity to do some Chesed in the city of S. Paulo, when they visited Ten-Yad’s soup kitchen, a non-profit organization that helps poor people, and serves over 1000 meals per day.
There the girls volunteered by helping pack meals for the elders that cannot come to the soup kitchen.
Last but not least the campers had a trip to the world known Iguazu falls, located in the south of Brazil by the border with Argentina. The Iguazu falls were chosen as one of the 7 modern wonders of the world; they make up the largest waterfall system in the world. After walking by the trails of the state park and enjoying the scenic view, the campers took a jeep inside the jungle to make their way to a special boat ride, on that ride the campers got to be literally under the water falls. For many, this was the highlight of the trip. Once you’re in Iguazu you will want to see the magnificent falls from all angels, and for that reason, on the following day, the girls crossed the border into Argentina to see the falls from the Argentinian side. There they walked a trail that brings visitors directly over the falls, also known as the Devil’s Throat, the highest and deepest of the falls.
Once back in the camp, the girls had a few more days to enjoy the grounds and the new friendships. After 3 weeks, the program came to an end, and at the banquet, it was clear how much of an impact camp had in the campers’ life. One camper said the following: “I am so beyond grateful to have been given this priceless summer experience and I want to thank the people who helped me see the bigger picture, one I couldn’t see on my own. And to our directors who gave so much to me forever. Thank you especially for the conversation on Shabbos with the girls who sat with me for hours, helping me see that with the right mindset, I could get far. They helped me get to this point and see that this isn’t the end of my story, it’s only the beginning.”
Another camper also shared her feelings about camp: “I went to Brazil Travel Camp, and it was one of the best summers I’ve had. The moment I stepped on camp grounds I felt all the warmth the camp brought to every girl. The Shluchim made every girl feel that they belonged and created an atmosphere of unity between us girls that I never experienced in any camp Before. There was never a moment where we weren’t busy doing something whether it was an activity, trip or adventure there was always something happening. I made lots of friends and all the counselors were dedicated and caring . The trips were incredible and had us exploring all the amazing parts of Brazil . It’s a summer I will never forget and will stay with me forever.”
My daughter went last summer and came back saying it was THE best 3 weeks of her life. The shluchim went above and beyond to give the girls the most amazing experience. They felt safe, were treated to luxurious clean accommodations, excellent food, great positive atmosphere, and trips and thrilling experiences they will never forget. Thank you so much Weitmans
Working for Rabbi Chaim and Bassie on this trip, was the best experience I’ve had as a staff member. Their patience and flexibility was unprecedented. Their biggest priority was that each individual camper enjoyed every moment. They worked hard to make sure each camper was happy, safe and growing. Their care for the campers and us counselors left a profound impact on me. I’ve been to many camps as a counselor, head counselor or head staff and the Whitemans where the best directors I’ve ever had. Brazil Travel Camp was a summer I will never forget.