By Shaina Fridzon, JGR Teen
Jewish Girls Retreat recently concluded a 4-week retreat with forty campers from the USA, Canada, and Israel. The girls were welcomed to an upgraded campus featuring new restrooms, magnificent wall murals, and a playground. Campers love the scenic campgrounds with a private pond and boating, sports fields, goats, chickens, gardening, honey and garlic harvesting, hammock and playground, and of course the sunset spot overlook.
This summer’s theme was Creating Connections through the Aleph Beis. Recognizing each letter as the building block of creation, the girls learned how to Connect and GROW through the Aleph Beis. Each day’s letter was expressed through activities, art projects, songs, and workshops.
Another major highlighted theme at JGR was Building Bitachon. The “Professionals” included 4 bunks: Aleph Architects, Beis Builders, Gimmel Gardeners, and Daled Designers! The girls learned to acknowledge challenges as Bitachon Bricks—building blocks to strengthen trust and confidence and say, “I Trust You, Hashem!” Build Bitachon sweatshirts were raffled off for “Bitachon Builders” who chose to respond to challenges with trust. This concept was inspired by the camp director Nechama Laber’s father, Rabbi Azriel Yitzchok ben Yisroel Wasserman, of blessed memory, a beloved educator, whose 39th Yahrzeit is Thursday, 4 Menachem Av. As a child of 7, Nechama moved to a new school, and in the face of this challenge, her father taught her to say, “I trust you, Hashem!”
Campers speak:
“I am Rochel White, and this is my second summer at JGR. I wrote a GROW reflection about how awesome it is. I am grateful for JGR because I made so many friends. I recognize all the hard work put in to make the next day fun. In oneness, I will stay connected with everyone after camp. I wish to come back to JGR next summer.”
“I am Shaina Fridzon, and this is my fourth summer at the Jewish Girls Retreat. JGR has helped me grow in ways words cannot explain. I’m so grateful for my beautiful experiences and the kind friends and staff members I’ve met here. I truly appreciate all the lessons I learned here and all the fun I had. I recognize that JGR is such an integral part of my life that not only accepts me for who I am but also shaped my personality. I would not be the same person if not for JGR. In oneness with Hashem and JGR, I will stay connected with all my friends from near and far by joining Jewish Girls Unite’s online classes. I wish for JGR to continue connecting with many girls, no matter their background. Help us Build Up our JGR campus for generations to come!”
“I am Adira Friedman, and I have been a camper at the Jewish Girls Retreat since 2021. JGR has tremendously impacted my life for the better. I am grateful for the strong and welcoming community of all types of Jewish girls and staff. I’m so appreciative of the special experience and unique perspective on Tefilla and Chassidus that Mrs. Nechama Laber has given me. I recognize the strong connections I was privileged to make and all the ways I have grown from my four summers at JGR and Jewish Girls Unite. In oneness with Hashem and JGR, I plan to stay connected and recount the memories and lessons I’ve learned. I wish for JGR to impact many more Jewish girls like me. Help us Build Up Jewish Girls Retreat and the Future of Jewish Women.”
JGR is Building Bitachon in our girls at retreats and online at JewishGirlsUnite.com. On August 19, JGR will welcome campers ages 7-13 to our One Week Taste of JGR Retreat. Register at Jewishgirlsretreat.com
Partner with us to Build Bitachon and Build Up JGR, our beautiful grounds with new facilities to accommodate our growing community. Donate to raisethon.com/buildup .
Our warm and capable staff members included:
Founders & Directors: Rabbi Avraham & Nechama Laber
Nurse: Regina Minkoff
Art Director: Chana Laber
Photographer & Head Staff: Rivkah Laber
Head Chefs: Raizel Laber, Shaina Laber
Program Director: Masha Dachevsky
Head Counselor: Bracha Chana Katz
Activity Head: Chana Singer
Lifeguard & Sports Coach: Chaya Mushka Feldman
Counselors: Chaya Mushka Oirechman, Basya Tenenboim, Mushka Alperowics, Shifra Weinstein, Mushkie Goldstein, Chaya Mandel
Visit raisethon.com/buildup to Build Up Jewish Girls worldwide!
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Rabbi & Rebetzen Laber are sweeter than an apple pie!! I had the pleasure of shadowing their son three times already. I did it for the mitzvah not expecting to be rewarded, but they rewarded me anyway. May G-D continue to bentch them & the Gan’ze Mishpacha many more of years of success in the camp and all their endeavors!!