By Clara Chaya Epstein – Camp Rebbetzin
It was Friday afternoon at BJJ Teen Camp. The shul was pulsing with excitement. On the edge of their seats, hyper-focused, all 240 campers were drawn towards the platform in the middle.
Headstaff members were stationed around the Ruchnius Director waiting for her signal.
Silence, and then…
“BJJ are Chassidim, we’ll wake up for Tehillim, We’ll wake up for Tehillim on Shabbos Mevorchim!”
The girls cheered and erupted in song!
The rules were explained and the campaign was initiated.
Throughout Shabbos, circles of campers were saying Tehillim together.
Headstaff members stood at different posts (also saying Tehillim) and acted as the Tehillim checkpoints. After every 50 Kapitelach a camper finished, upon telling the headstaff, everyone around would burst into song, “Mushkie is a chossid…Chanie is a chossid!”
The clock was ticking, and as Shabbos was coming to a close, the girls redoubled their efforts. Suddenly a shriek sounded from the left side of the dining room.
“I finished! I finished! I can’t believe I finished!”
Her friends surrounded her with hugs and praise, while the rest of camp once again sang what felt like the anthem of that Shabbos.
“Shayna is a chossid, Shayna said Tehillim, Shayna said Tehillim on Shabbos Mevorchim, Ay yay ya…”
“Guys, you don’t understand,” Shayna said breathlessly. “I have NEVER, ever, finished the whole Tehillim in my life. I did not think I could do it. But then I saw everyone else doing it, so I thought maybe I should try.”
Very soon, cries of victory and triumph were heard from all corners of the dining room. Singing and dancing ensued with each completion. Every individual’s feelings of accomplishment were amplified by her friends’ and fellow campers’ joyous celebration in her honor.
This is the Chassidishe peer pressure that epitomizes the atmosphere in BJJ Teen Camp.
In the Rebbe’s Camp, it’s cool to say Tehillim on Shabbos mevorchim.
The girls who finished the entire tehillim were rewarded with The Emunah Staff Sweatshirt. Forest green cozy fabric, contrasted by the honey mustard lettering of the Camp Emunah logo, this was a camper’s dream come true.
The next day, the immense nachas and pride were palpable when the Ruchnius Director read the list of names of who would be receiving their award.
Lots of girls said 50 and many more said in the hundreds. 142 campers finished the entire Sefer tehillim.
A total of….22,300 Kapitelach were said that Shabbos in BJJ Teen Camp, the Rebbe’s Camp. The camp that’s gonna bring Moshiach today!!!
Go Simi Sebag! ” A chossid macht a seviva” is a perfect way to describe her!
She’s the best Rebbetzin ever!!
So inspiring!!’
Simi has been an inspiration from the time she was a student in Bais Rivkah in Montreal
She and others like her is a proof that we as chabad have much to be proud of from our young people.
SHES MY TEACHER *clap clap clap clap clap* AND I LOVE HER *clap clap clap clap clap*
BJJ—The Rebbe’s camp!!! BEST camp for EVERY Chabad girl
This place truly lets ur neshama shine. Love the empowerment and positivity. The Rebbes camp, forever in my heart!
rebbitzin bluming u are just the best
SIMI SEBAG IS AN ICON!!!!
Wow wow wow I’m am speachless and I am blown away by the these girls this is the generation that is going to bring the geula as a teenage girl I can say that peer pressure can be hard but this peer pressure in machaneh Emunah is absolutely incredible