Fund in Memory of Chomie Weiss

A Lubavitch Teen Program (LTP) participant’s reflection on her summer in her own words…

“There is an inherent trepidation signing up to a new, untested program. Without any reviews, good, bad or indifferent, it can go either way – fantastically wonderful or a pitiful waste of time and money. It was with hopeful optimism that I joined a friend this summer to be one of the trailblazers at the LTP.

This second-month-only experience focused on girls who completed 9th and 10th grade only. As a result, it was a very different vibe than a camp where the age span can be 6+ years. This was an encounter with purely a lower high school focus. We were it!

Sometimes one can be prepared for a life-changing event – a simcha of any kind – is anticipated with great excitement. Yet at times, life-changing events catch us off guard and we are swept off our feet into a new reality for which we are grossly underprepared. I was not at all prepared or aware of what a month in LTP would do for me.

I arrived a regular 9th grader. I left transformed into an energized and inspired chossid who craves and needs connection to Yiddishkeit, chassidishkeit, and the Rebbe. Our world is bright and beautiful, and our happiness is tangible. I want to proclaim to all that “We Can Bring Moshiach!”.

What happened in this “camp” that enabled this growth? The grounds were beautiful, air conditioned bunkhouses, private lake, swimming pool, climbing wall and zipline, sports courts and fields and much more.

This laid the backdrop to allow us to absorb the caring, positive, and unlimited energy which the staff exuded. But that wouldn’t have been enough for a revolutionary summer. It was more than that. Each counselor (all were at least one year out of seminary) and head staff went out of their way to forge a real relationship and connection with each of the 51 participants. We are each our own world, with our own struggles, strengths, and needs.

This bond cannot be underrated. It is a core reason why each one of us left with a new mindset, a new level of attachment to who we are as Bnos Chabad. Since we were each heard and tuned into, everyone was so happy! Each girl was smiling, friendly and positive. Many finally got turned on to Yiddishkeit in a way that completely took them by surprise.

While the activities and trips were tailored for teens, no matter what happened (we got lost, the buses came late) it didn’t matter as it was all part of the fun, and we were all in a perpetually good mood anyways. The chassidishe way to cope with the unexpected? It’s all Hashgacha Protis!”

To help us plant the seeds of joy LTP is the midst of $100,000 Charidy Scholarship Campaign that ends soon. All donations will be matched in the blessed memory of Chomie Weiss, OBM.

Chomie Weiss OBM lived in Belgium, with her husband and six children ka”h. She devoted her life to helping anyone in need, and as such, every Friday night would host many Jews, mainly youth, who’d simply show up at her doorstep. To many, her house was the only place they’d feel valued and loved; to others, it was the only place they’d consider celebrating Shabbat. If there was a quiet teenager sitting lonely, Chomie would take note and pay extra attention.

Hundreds of teenagers and adults alike were touched by the unique open house she provided.

She literally changed people’s lives with significant results, strengthening their connection to G-d while uplifting their self-esteem.

On 11 Shvat, January 27, 2018, the painful news hit us all. Chomie passed away after fighting for her life for almost two years. The pain was unbearable. We could not understand how it was possible that someone so pure would pass away at 40 years old with six young kids.

But we decided to continue her legacy; continue her life by making sure that no friend would ever be overlooked. No youth should overdose out of depression or lack of care.

Mah zaroi bachaim, af hu bachaim.

In Chomie’s merit, camp LTP came into existence. Her life and legacy is the very message that our camp instills in our campers.

We ALL can continue her life.

With your help, Chomie’s lifelong efforts will live on.  www.charidy.com/ltp