Things were looking bleak. With covid restrictions in Israel clamping down just weeks before the summer, Yeshivas Kayitz Tzeirei Hashluchim, which takes place each year in Tzfas, Israel, was left without a home.
Famous for its incredible Israel experience, they were left scrambling – challenged to recreate the magic elsewhere.
A group of staff, led and inspired by Director Eli Rosenfeld and under the leadership of Chabad of Tzfas, stepped up to the plate.
A vigorous search across America landed them a cozy campground in the Prescott Pines of Arizona. Just weeks later the Pines were filled with the sounds of 130 bochurim playing, learning and farbrenging.
Scrumptious meals were prepared by the outstanding Chef Shloimy Ezagui, treating the bochurim to a five star menu, unlike any other!
A revamped learning program, designed and directed by Mendel Banon, had everyone enthralled. A course created by JLI was used to help the bochurim truly understand the depth of the intricate logic involved in building each piece of gemara. In-class debates helped them formulate their own ideas, allowing them to properly appreciate the Gemaras conclusion.
An exciting Mivtza Torah program encouraged bochurim to review the Gemara they learned by heart. An incredible private plane tour of Southern Utah was awarded to those that completed the program.
Competitive sports leagues complimented the learning. Daily activities exploring the beauty of the local national forest – its lakes and waterfalls, ensured that the Bochrim that don’t love sports had a really fun time during activities.
A “Lubavitch Z’rich” Program, formed by the devoted group of hard working counselors, helped each bochur treasure the value of Yidishkeit and Chasidus. Dazzling events and high quality Z’rich merch, helped motivate the bochurim to strive higher and higher in the Z’rich ranks.
Trips across Arizona and the greater West Coast highlighted the summer. Visits to National Landmarks such as the Grand Canyon, Red Rocks of Sedona, Zion and Bryce Canyon were just breathtaking. UTVing, axe throwing, jet skiing and paintball shooting were just a few of the exhilarating outings enjoyed. A midsummer Flagstaff Shabbaton and a 5 day grand trip ending in Nevada were real treats. A surprise visit from 8th Day infused the Yeshivas Kayitz with unbelievable energy!
The summer would truly not be possible without the dedication of an incredible group of staff, led by Yisroel Posner, Chezky Vogel and Binyomin Gurarie.
“A special thank you to Rabbi Zalman and Dov Levertov of Chabad of Phoenix and Eli Filler of Chabad of Prescott for all of their help and
support,” staff said.
The Bochurim went home with memories and experiences that they are sure to hold dear for a lifetime!
VIDEO: By Tzvi Eber 727.946.6769
Phenomenal year!
Thank you to an incredibly dedicated staff!
Go Chaim Yosef👊🏻
Wow watched it with tears 😭
WHAT AN AMAZING SUMMER MY SON HAD !!!!! I can’t thank you enough and no words could express enough THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Best Counslor
I have been to four Lubavitch sleep away camps
Ykth is in an entirely different league
Highly, highly recommended
Wow Nissi and ari you guys are the best counselors ever!!!! Really rocked it definitely best out there in lubavitch lubavitch ‘Zrich!!!
#bestever
My son has got to a bunch of sleep away camps, never did he come back so happy and thrilled about the program and about the mivtza in camp
I heard it was the best mivtza in YKTH history!!
YKTH only get’s the best staff and especially counselor’s in Chabad!
Really lucky camper’s
My son loved Ari, nissi, and avremel!!
They were the best counselers ever!!!
The name is Lubavitch ‘Zrich
Not Lubavitch Z’rich
Like “Lubavitch Is Rich”
Wow. I had such an insane time this summer. We all saw how The staff worked so hard. The counselors really made the sports incredible and the ‘Zrich was just unreal.
Go lower village!
Shout out to mendel and sholom!