Girls’ Summer of Empowerment

There are summer programs that entertain. There are those that even inspire. But for 46 girls from around the globe, this summer was a summer of entertainment, inspiration and most unique empowerment.

In a journey that covered three countries and close to 5,000 miles, Camp Emunah’s Tenth Grade Shlichus Program was by all accounts a roaring success. Usually ably run by Rabbi and Mrs. Shaya Gansbourg, the program this year was directed by Rabbi and Mrs. Mendel Duchman of Los Angeles.

Addressed by 24 shluchim including the head shluchim to Oregon, Washington, California, and Mexico, the girls were left with a lasting impression and a new-found appreciation for shluchim and what they do.

The holistic program also included talks from frum life coaches, a lawyer, a nutritionist and numerous Jewish federation and JCC leaders.

Every day another camper delivered a Dvar Torah, Hayoim Yoim and sefer Hamitzvois.

Amongst the highlights of the camp was a Kosher Awareness Drive in Northern California, where the girls were sent out to dozens of supermarkets to do mivtzoim, especially mivtza kashrus. They took the city by storm.

The mixture of Gashmiyus and Ruchniyus was a theme throughout the three weeks, and the girls experienced among other things, river rafting in Oregon, zip lining in Northern California, dune buggying in Salem, dragon boating and of course, hiking. Popular attractions such as Universal Studios, Sea World and Magic Mountain were also enjoyed by the girls.

Three stimulating shabbosim were had in Bellevue, Washington, Chabad of Pleasanton and Tijuana, Mexico, where the girls interacted with the community, and the local Shaliach and Shlucha served as “scholar in residence.”

As camp was ending a gala banquet was held in the newly opened Los Angeles five star catering hall – ABBA’S- where a five course meal was served, camp songs were sung, hours of dancing, and each traveler had a chance to express their summer experience through grammen, songs and skits. The evening was concluded with the traditional “Shliach Roll Call,” followed by dancing to “Shluchei Adoneinu.”

The MC of the evening was Faigy Stern, the keynote was delivered by Sara Basya Jacobson – both from Crown Heights.

At the end of it all, many girls felt empowered to find ways of improving themselves in their own personal lives. Definitely a fitting way to begin Elul.