Over 80 boys and 100 girls from nine European countries including Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Latvia, Northern Cyprus, Sweden, Turkey, Hungary, China and Poland, traveled to Zhytomyr and Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine for a week full of friends, activities, chassidishe chayus and inspiration at “Shluchim Shtetl”, a winter camp geared specifically for Hebrew speaking Shluchim all over Europe, currently in its 7th year.
While outside was blustery and cold, inside the camps were full of the warmth of friendship and chassidishkeit, made possible by the executive directors of the camps, Rabbi Moshe and Shoshi Weber, shluchim to Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, and MyShliach of Merkos 302.
In a city known as less than hospitable to Yidden and Yiddishkeit when the Rebbe lived there as a young child during communist rule, the children of the Rebbe’s army now gathered to draw inspiration and build lasting friendships before they returned to help their parents spread Yiddishkeit in their hometowns across Europe and the former Soviet Union.
The girls camp was dedicated by Chief Rabbi of Dnepr Rabbi Shmuel and Mrs. Chani Kaminezki in the memory of Mrs. Doba Kaminezki.
At both locations, a tremendous amount of planning and energy went into creating a schedule full of exciting and inspiring experiences for the young Shluchim.
Campers in both camps enjoyed exciting trips and activities including skiing, ice skating, swimming and paintball. Delicious meals with ingredients specially ordered from the US and Israel were prepared for campers by Rabbi Avrohom Deitsch, a special treat for kids who came from hometowns with limited kosher food options.
As in past years, much planning and forethought went not only into the gashmiyus but also the ruchniyus of the camp, with an exclusive curriculum designed to boost chassidishe knowledge and hiskashrus.
“The Shluchim Shtetl camp offers a wonderful opportunity for the children of Shluchim to meet and befriend other children who are also on the Rebbe’s shlichus in an atmosphere of chassidishe warmth and chayus.” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky of Merkos Suite 302.
Special thanks to Rabbi Shmuel and Chani Kaminetsky, chief rabbi of Dnepr and the staff of the Menorah Centre in Dnepr for hosting the girls camp, Rabbi Shlomo Wilhelm of Zhytomyr for hosting the boys camp, and to Rabbi Mendy Shanowitz and the staff of MyShliach for their dedication to the children of Shluchim worldwide.
Real nachas to see my granddaughter Chani as a madricha in the camp and on stage.
These refined kids, holding the fort wherever they are – and
their parents – deserve this wonderful experience. Yasher koach so to everybody involved. A beautiful hashpaah on all of us, everyone trying to do the Rebbe’s “work”.