Full Crowd at Chof Av Melave Malka of Yarchei Kallah in New York

By COLlive reporter
Photos: Shalom Ross

A large crowd of Chassidim and bochurim made their way to Camp Gan Israel in Parksville, New York, to participate in an event that the Rebbe strongly encouraged Chassidim to attend over the years.

Upon entering the campgrounds, they gathered in the main shul, where tables were set and a dais featured esteemed rabbonim, roshei yeshiva, and mashpiim from around the world.

They came to attend the Global Yarchei Kallah, the annual gathering of Torah learning in memory of the Rebbe’s father, Harav Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, OBM.

The Yarchei Kallah was founded 51 years ago by Rabbi Avraham Shemtov, the Rebbe’s Shliach who also serves as head of the camp and chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad International.

Over several days, rabbonim delivered in-depth shiurim on Torah and Chassidus, led discussions, and inspired with farbrengens.

The gathering culminated with the Chof Av Melave Malka, which drew participants from across the Catskills. As a memento, attendees received volume two of Gems of Likkutei Levi Yitzchok.

Serving as emcee was Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin, coordinator of the Yarchei Kallah and a Chabad Shliach from Tucson, Arizona, who highlighted the significance of this year, marking the 70th anniversary of the first Chabad overnight camp for boys.

The first speaker was Rabbi Efraim Demichovsky, one of the Rebbe’s choizrim and currently a mashpia at the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim in Kfar Chabad. He addressed a subject in the Torah of the Rebbe’s father.

Special thanks were extended to Rabbi Yossi Futerfas, his brother Rabbi Shlomo Futerfas, and the camp staff—including kitchen and wait staff, general managers, and head staff—for hosting the Yarchei Kallah. The presence of the rabbonim left a strong impression on the campers, while the children in turn impressed the rabbonim with their spirited davening, learning, and fine behavior.

This year’s organization was assisted by Rabbi Shemtov’s sons—Rabbi Eliezer Shemtov, head shliach of Uruguay; Rabbi Levi Shemtov, senior shliach in Washington, DC; and hatomim Bentzion Pearson.

Rabbi Levi Shemtov spoke about the impact of the Yarchei Kallah, recalling advice he received during his yeshiva years in Los Angeles: not to waste time but to dedicate himself to learning.

He then introduced his rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Ezra Schochet of Yeshivas Ohr Elchanan Chabad in Los Angeles, who began his shiur by teaching a passage from the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch regarding the laws of blessings.

Midway through his address, Rabbi Schochet turned to the bochurim, urging them in his signature style to remember that wherever a chossid goes, the Rebbe is with him, and to carry the great responsibility of conducting themselves in accordance with the Rebbe’s expectations.

The final speaker was Rabbi Yossi Garelik, Rabbi of Congregation Anshei Lubavitch in Crown Heights. He shared his family’s connection with the Rebbe’s parents in Alma-Ata, where they were part of the small Chassidic community in Kazakhstan. He recalled the Rebbe asking his father to say l’chaim at Chof Av farbrengens and sending him several times as his shliach to the Yarchei Kallah in Parksville.

As the Rebbe once told Chassidim: “A yeshar koach goes to those who participated in the Yarchei Kallah at Gan Yisroel, and through this, to all those who learn Torah around the world.”