When Eli first showed up at Chabad of William & Mary, no one could have imagined how much his life would soon change.
Just a year and a half ago, Eli and his family — who live on a farm 45 minutes away from campus — had virtually no connection to Judaism. That all changed when Eli’s mother stumbled upon Chabad of William & Mary on Facebook and decided to bring her family for a Shabbat dinner with Rabbi Mendy and Esther Heber.
From that evening on, Eli was drawn in. He joined Purim celebrations, holiday programs, and Shabbat events with growing excitement. Seeing his spark, the Hebers suggested he attend CKids Gan Israel Florida, the international Jewish overnight camp known for its warm spirit and transformative impact.
Eli jumped at the chance — and thanks to a scholarship made possible by generous donors, he was able to go.
“At camp, something just clicked for him,” says Rabbi Levi Plotkin, co-director of CKids Gan Israel FL. “He arrived shy and quiet, but he left with confidence, joy, and a proud sense of who he is as a Jew.”
Over the course of one unforgettable summer, Eli made new friends, joined activities with enthusiasm, and connected deeply with his Jewish identity. When he returned home, the transformation was complete. He now wraps tefillin every single day with the pair gifted to him by his camp counselors — and has become a source of Jewish inspiration for his entire family.
Eli’s story is far from unique. Every year, CKids Gan Israel FL continues to spark lasting change in its campers long after the summer ends.
This past year alone, six campers transferred from public schools to Jewish day schools and Yeshivos, and three are now proudly attending Bader Hillel High School. Campers across the country have sent in photos of themselves affixing mezuzahs — not only on their own homes, but on friends’ and neighbors’ homes as well.
One camper from Altamonte Springs, FL, that was connected to camp through Rabbi Mendy and Mussie Bronstein, was visiting Italy for vacation and was astonished to find his camp counselors at the same Chabad House Friday-night meal. Encouraged to share his experience, he stood up before a room full of tourists and spoke passionately about camp, sang Jewish songs, and led the camp dance. His parents were moved to tears: “We’ve never seen him so confident, so proud,” they said.
Another camper, vacationing in Boynton Beach, realized he had forgotten his tefillin at home. Rather than miss a day, he reached out to the local Shliach, Rabbi Raichik, to borrow a pair.
“Shabbat Shalom! I’m Alex, Gary’s grandson. Thank you for lending me a pair of tefillin while I’m down here. I wouldn’t want to miss another day,” he texted gratefully.
Months after camp ends, the spirit continues. A WhatsApp group of 30 bar-mitzvah-age campers remains active, with 13 boys now wrapping tefillin daily — many for the very first time. Some even inspired their fathers to begin doing the same.
To help sustain that momentum, the dedicated staff sent to campers a colorful post-camp magazine filled with mitzvah missions, learning challenges, and creative Jewish content to keep the excitement alive at home. (“Even our dog loves it,” one parent wrote.)
“Watching these boys grow — not only in knowledge but in pride and identity — is the greatest reward,” shares Mendel Zaltzman, Assistant director at camp. “They discover that being Jewish is something joyful and powerful. That realization stays with them for life.”
From quiet farms in Virginia to bustling cities across the world, the stories all tell the same truth: CKids Gan Israel FL is changing Jewish lives — one camper, one mitzvah, one summer at a time.
As the Plotkins reflect on another year of growth, they see not just a successful camp season, but a generation of children ignited with purpose.
“When a child feels the warmth of Yiddishkeit,” says Mrs. Chaya Plotkin, co-director of CKids Gan Israel FL, “that flame doesn’t fade — it spreads to their families, their friends, and their communities.”
To learn more about CKids Gan Israel FL and how to bring this life-changing experience to families in your community for the upcoming winter Shabbaton and summer program, reach out to [email protected] or visit ckidsganisrael.com.
