Letter from a CIT Camper in CGI Toronto:
Dear Counselor of CGI Toronto 5779,
CGI Toronto…The camp that literally taught me so much in just the months I’ve been there than from all the years I’ve been in school. I’ve been going to this camp for five years now. Every year I come home more inspired. I come to camp and I get to spend four crazy, fun weeks with the best girls and my best friends.
This summer we went to go play Machanayim against a non-Chabad camp called Agudah. When I was talking to the girls there I realized how lucky I am to be a Chabad girl. I was talking to a girl and she was telling me how she thinks it’s amazing how we all follow one Rebbe. The Rosh Bnei Yisroel of the entire Jewish nation. They were asking us, “Why do you guys write and do so much to a person who is no longer alive?” That’s when it made me think. We are just so lucky that we have such a strong connection to the Rebbe. Not just a Rebbe but to a person who is no longer physically with us. We know that the Rebbe isn’t physically with us, but he’s spiritually with us and guides us in our choices, decisions, acts, and everything we do throughout the day.
We must realize how special and how lucky we are that we have this kind of connection with such a special person. And I do not take this for granted. This is a camp where I have no words to express my appreciation. They taught me so much! I know everyone says this cliché thing about how this is the camp who made me who I am. But for me this camp will literally have everlasting memories for me. And summers I will never forget. It really inspires me to be around such a good group of head staff and staff. It’s amazing for me to see how they are all so Chassidish, yet, so fun and full of Chayus. It’s amazing to watch them so passionate about Yiddishkeit, Moshiach, the Rebbe, and so much more. When I heard from one of the head staff that she writes to the Rebbe whenever she has a question, thought, or concern, I realized I should 100% do that too. Why not use the advantage of being able to write to someone who is so special and is always listening to our Tefillas? (I use the word advantage in the appropriate way.)
The least I can do to show appreciation to this camp is take on some Hachlatos that I took on in camp. So I will always have a piece of me connected even when the year goes on. I did make a few Hachlatos that I will IY”H try my hardest to keep.
Forever Grateful,
CIT Camper 5779
Fortunate are we!!
It’s so heartwarming to read an article by a teenager that appreciates our precious heritage. Yasher koach to the counselors that instill this pride in our children.
The Rebbe’s children.
THIS IS WHAT WE NEED FOR OUR CHILDREN! THIS IS WHAT WILL BRING MASHIACH! YASHER KOACH!
wow i am so inspired and i totally relate! cgi changed my life!
This girl is an inspiration to us all!! Keep up the good work!!
who ever wrote this, reallly nicely written and so true!!
This is beautiful!! Keep it up! It’s gonna be the little kinderlach;)
So true about every single camp. A camp experience is a must for every kid.
The inspired writer says “Why not use the advantage of being able to write to someone who is so special and is always listening to our Tefillas?” It is important that we educate our children and students that we don’t daven to the rebbe. We ask the rebbe to intercede for us on high to daven for us. That G-d should create a new reality for us. we can also give a report to the rebbe. We can ask the rebbe for a bracha, which is to draw down that which exists from Hashem already. But we dont daven, pray… Read more »
Absolutely! Though a kesher with the Rebbe is wonderful and even essential, a kesher with Hashem Himself is absolutely vital and must be nurtured within ourselves and our children.
wow so beautiful !
Very nice heart warming. However the Rebbe wanted that chedorim and yeshivas not close for the summer.
Teach the kids in school all these things. Bring the spirit of camp to school or bring the entire school to camp.
Chaim, this is a girls’ camp
Very nice the kids should also be educated that the rebbe is physically with us that we receive answers and he hears our questions