Over 100 young shluchim converged from across the globe at Camp Tzeirei Hashluchim, MyShliach’s week-long winter camp on California’s west coast. From Panama to Hawaii to England, the children gathered at the 112-acre grounds in the Verdugo Hills of Glendale for a week of connection, growth, and shared experiences.
For many of these young shluchim, some of whom live hundreds of miles from the nearest frum boy their age, winter camp means spending time with friends who understand their unique lives, a rare and cherished experience.
Nine-year-old Mendel Gerlitzky traveled over 2,500 miles from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, where he’s the only frum boy his age on the island. The reunion with friends made the long journey worthwhile.
“Caring for the Rebbe’s kinder and giving them the very best experience is essential,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302 and MyShliach. “These children carry the future of shlichus in their hearts.”
The camp’s professional facilities, including spacious bunk houses, vast playing fields, and an auditorium, provided the setting for a week of growth and excitement. Throughout the week, boys enjoyed archery, scavenger hunts, and late-night programs that stretched well past their usual bedtimes.
Throughout the week, chassidishe counselors taught and guided the campers, serving as role models and supporting their physical and spiritual needs, while instilling pride in being both a chossid and a shliach of the Rebbe.
The camp-wide curriculum focused on the 12 Pesukim, with boys exploring the meaning and personal relevance of each posuk. The timing carried special significance, as this year marks 50 years since the Rebbe launched Mivtzah Chinuch.
Rabbi Simcha Backman, shliach to Glendale, CA, and the camp’s executive director, emphasized the camp’s core mission. “The goal is that every child should feel part of the shluchim family,” he said. “When they’re here, they’re not alone, they’re home.”
Tuesday brought camp to Scooters Jungle, an inflatable park filled with energy and laughter. Hey Teves programs, including seforim ordering, learning, and farbrengens, helped campers connect to the special day.
Shabbos filled the camp with songs, farbrengens, and beautifully set meals. Motzei Shabbos featured a melaveh malka with a special visit from Rabbi Shlomo Cunin, head shliach of the West Coast, who spoke to the young shluchim about the importance of their shlichus and being on the front lines of bringing Moshiach. The evening concluded with a hypnosis show in the camp’s auditorium.
“It’s beautiful to see children who are so isolated from other Chabad children spending time and connecting with their friends,” said Rabbi Mendel Loschak, camp director and shliach to Santa Barbara. “You watch them playing together, and you see the Rebbe’s vision coming alive.”
“We are so grateful that our son has been able to join fellow young shluchim in this program,” shared Mrs. Fradel Laine, shlucha to Panama City, Panama. “It is obvious that the staff are carefully selected.”
On Sunday, the camp bused to Six Flags Magic Mountain for a full day on roller coasters and thrill rides. They returned to camp for a three-course banquet featuring songs, farewell speeches, and the annual ‘roll call’ that named the worldwide destinations the campers call home, followed by spontaneous dancing.
“Fifty years ago, when the Rebbe launched Mivtzah Chinuch, he singled out the shluchim and their children to be the mechanchim,” said Rabbi Zalmy Kudan, camp director. “Our campers are both.”
Planning for the week began months in advance. Tzierei Hashluchim winter camp is directed by Rabbi Zalmy and Shterna Kudan and Rabbi Mendel and Rochel Loschak, with executive leadership by Rabbi Simcha Backman and Rabbi Nachman Abend overseeing funding and operations. The camp’s staff included head counselors Mendy Hirsch and Shua Deitch, program director Yossi Hirsch, and ten experienced counselors.
Tzierei Hashluchim winter camp was made possible through the partnership of Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Mr. Shmuel Aizenberg, Mr. Yosef Gorowitz, and Mr. Sholom Leytin.
Monday morning brought emotional goodbyes as campers returned home. The week had flown by too quickly, leaving many sad to see it end. Yet they left with renewed energy for their shlichus, deeper friendships, and memories they’ll carry forward.
For young shluchim scattered across the globe, those connections are a lifeline until they meet again.
