Shluchim Initiative to Give Every Child A Jewish Summer

In a year marked by unprecedented challenges for Jewish children worldwide, a new campaign led by Shluchim and Merkos 302’s CKids International seeks to share the opportunity of a CKids Gan Israel experience with every Jewish child.

Throughout the past year, many Jewish kids have been feeling alone even within their own classrooms. The need to connect with other Jewish children like them is vital. In light of this, a grassroots movement of Shluchim has emerged, spearheading a new initiative to give these kids an authentic Jewish overnight camp experience.

For Shluchim like Rabbi Raleigh Resnick of Chabad of the Tri-Valley, California, the emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of Jewish children is a constant priority. “We do events, programs, Hebrew Schools, Clubs – all to connect them and give them a strong Jewish identity”. A summer spent in a Jewish overnight camp, however, can provide them with community, friendship, and an immersive Jewish learning experience that the synagogue just cannot. As Rabbi Resnick shares, “We had one local girl join a CKids overnight camp for a few weeks. It is exponentially more… An entire year’s worth was accomplished in one or two weeks! She now comes to Shul every Shabbos.”

Launched in 2020 by Rabbi Levi and Chaya Plotkin co-directors of CKids Gan Israel Florida, the network has provided an opportunity for Jewish public school kids across the world to immerse themselves in an authentic Jewish environment with their fellow brothers and sisters.

Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302, believes that these experiences create a critical lasting Jewish connection. “The Rebbe emphasized the unparalleled impact of summer camp for every Jewish child. Now more than ever we are seeing the importance of such empowering experiences. Our goal is to foster Jewish pride in the next generation of Jewish children, which will in turn inspire their families and communities.”

Shluchim the world over have been taking advantage of this resource. Over the past few years, CKids Gan Israel has grown exponentially, with over 600 campers in five camps and three countries. For a few weeks each summer, the independently ran and locally funded camps in Florida, the Poconos, Wisconsin, Hungary and Denmark empower public school kids with a fun, lively Jewish experience that they never forget.

But the connection doesn’t stop with the kids – it can positively affect their entire family and community, as well. Rabbi Eli Reyder, Shliach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has witnessed this first-hand. “The impact goes well beyond just the experience that they had in the summer. They had a very strong impact on their home, their family and friends, on the entire community.”

Since the events of October 7, the need for Jewish kids to have an authentic Jewish experience has only grown more. For the kids in Orange County, New York, Shlucha Chana Burston sees CKids Gan Israel as a vehicle to foster a real Jewish identity. In her words: “Whether it’s celebrating Shabbat with hundreds of new friends, creative crafts, exciting sports and kosher cooking, the campers we have sent to CKids Gan Israel have gained a deeper sense of Jewish pride and identity.”

Now, Shluchim worldwide have spearheaded an initiative to empower as many children as they can with a CKids Gan Israel summer experience. They believe that a few weeks spent in CKids Gan Israel will not only provide a warm, fun and caring environment for their kids, but will also empower them and their communities for life. It’s “the summer of a lifetime, for a lifetime!”

Are you a shliach? Does your community have a family looking to experience Jewish overnight camp? Here’s what you need to do:
1) Think about which families in your community have shown interest in going to a Jewish overnight camp.
2) Review CKids’ five camp options and see which one will be the best fit for the children.
3) Connect the family to the camp director and arrange a Zoom or a phone call by completing the form below

Visit ckids.org/overnight for more information or Whatsapp us at +1 (347) 644‑7791

The CKids Gan Israel Network

CKids CGI Florida
Rabbi Levi & Chaya Plotkin

CKids CGI Wisconsin
Rabbi Avremi & Shaindy Schapiro

CKids CGI Poconos
Rabbi Gershon & Devorah Sandler

CKids CGI Denmark
Rabbi Yitzi & Rochel Loewenthal

CKids CGI Hungary
Rabbi Levi & Chaya Greenberg

CLA Catskills
Rabbi Yitzchok Steinmetz