Over 100 young Shluchim and Shluchos returned home happy and energized from the Tzeirei Hashluchim camps in Sweden, with renewed inspiration to begin the year on Shlichus.
Participants this summer hailed from 58 cities in Europe, Asia and beyond. Between them all, they speak a total of 23 languages, from Greek to Chinese!
As Sweden enjoyed the hottest summer in 260 years, (according to the weather agency SMHI), kids experienced three weeks of fun, outstanding trips, friendships and learning, enveloped in the warm, caring and chassidishe atmosphere of “Chassidim Ein Mishpocho.”
When a child from South Korea meets with a child from Slovakia – with so much in common- one can only marvel at the Rebbe’s far reaching vision. It’s a real Shluchim family reunion.
Most of the campers live in places that have few – if any- frum children their age and the Tzeirei Hashluchim camps fill an important role.
Staff members are awed at the incredible bond the campers share. “These kids meet, and suddenly they are like cousins!”
The boys’ Staff Play featured a gripping dramatization of the story of Shamil. Viewers were moved to tears as Shamil sang the nigun at the climax of the story and heard the cry of the neshama come to life.
“Shamil’s nigun has a much deeper meaning for me now,” said Levi, age 11.
The boys camp was led by Assistant Director Dani Namdar and Head Counselors Moshe Sasonkin and Mendel Namdar.
Mendel G, 11 relates, “In this camp I feel that everyone cares about each other; I felt true Ahavas Yisroel.”
The camps are organized by Rabbi Alexander and Leah Namdar of Chabad of Sweden, in conjunction with Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky of MyShliach and Merkos.
Inspirational and powerful farbrengens sometimes lasted until the early rays of dawn.
“You come to camp, and you just can’t stop singing!” smiles one camper.
Freyda S said: “I’m not in a Chabad school and even though we talk about Moshiach, this is the first time I felt like Moshiach is really coming.”
“My daughter learned more this year in camp than she ever learned before” said one mother, who sent her daughter for the first time.
“This camp is just amazing – when you go there once, you just wanna come back every year.
For shluchos, it’s a great opportunity to meet new Chassidishe friends, something I am missing terribly in my city of Lyon, France,” remarked Estherke Gurevitch.
“I had my best experience there, it was for me a home away from home and I will definitely return there as long as I can!”
This year marks the 10th year since the first Tzeirei Hashluchos Camp. Since 5769, Baruch HaShem, there have been 25 Camps – held for 3 weeks for both girls and boys in the summer and also 10 day winter camps.
“We are tremendously grateful to Hashem and all the devoted staff members who really care – belev venefesh – for the kids,” says Rabbi Namdar, who teaches Chassidus to the campers daily and leads many farbrengens, in addition to directing the camp.
“And a special yasher koach to all the parents who – together with all the responsibilities on shlichus – have raised children of whom the Rebbe is surely so proud.”
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I really felt like I came so much closer to the Rebbe during camp, my Hiskashrus went up to a new level at the Farbrengens and made me be MORE devoted to my Shlichos, I learnt that the rebbe is with me on my Shlichos and the Rebbe cares for me like his only daughter.
I am Forsure coming back!
MOSHIACH NOW
Beautiful pictures of my granddaughters! They had a fantastic time.
Best counselor
This is the best camp I EVER WENT TO IN MY LIFE!!! I’ve learned so much! The Chassidishe atmosphere, the Farbrengens and the Ahavas Yisroel I felt in camp was amazing!