Parksville, NY
“All campers to the Shul, all campers to the Shul” blared the P.A. this Wednesday afternoon.
they said Tehillim for a missing camper, and listened to EMT Shmuly Klein who spoke about the
importance of safety and then suddenly BOG WAR!
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Continue reading “Bog War”
biv·ouac
\ˈbi-və-ˌwak, ˈbiv-ˌwak\
noun
1) A temporary camp or shelter
2) A night in Camp Gan Israel in which campers sing around a campfire, enjoy a barbecue, and
camp out.
N.O.D. and the 4th grade division just returned from their bivouac in the Rebbe’s Forest, and an
amazing time was had by all. Wood was collected, campfires lit, marshmallows roasted,
sleeping bags unfurled, and memories made.
Meanwhile, grades 5 and 6 enjoyed a delicious barbecue in the camp square, followed by a
fascinating story from N.A.D. Shmoozel Leemanov.
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Camp Gan Yisroel is joined by Rabbi Shemtov and Rabbi Lazar in a visit to the original camp grounds on the very day the Rebbe visited them 59 years ago.
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Continue reading “Camp Makes Historic Visit to First CGI Campgrounds in Ellenville, NY”
Here in Gan Yisroel learning and playing sports are equally fun.
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Continue reading “Having Fun in the Rebbe’s Camp”
On Thursday afternoon, immediately preceding the gala banquet in honor of the 60th year since
the Rebbe’s visit, the entire Camp Gan Yisroel-NY- campers, staff, and directors- gathered for
the annual camp picture. Joining camp for the picture was founder and first head counselor of
Gan Yisroel Rabbi Moshe Lazar.
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Continue reading “CGI-NY Camp Picture”
Rabbi Avraham Shemtov and Rabbi Moshe Lazar addressed the campers, and
numerous videos and songs were prepared especially for the occasion.
On Tes Zayin Tammuz, 5716, the Rebbe visited the grounds of the fledgling Camp Gan
Yisroel. Touring the installations, the Rebbe showed his great interest in every aspect of
camp.
As the 60th summer of Camp Gan Yisroel – New York continues, this day was celebrated
in a truly special way.
Immediately following Mincha, the campers entered the shul, which had been
decorated for the occasion with special lighting, large screens, and state-of-the-art
surround sound. The evening began with greetings from former campers and staff,
including Rabbi Shmuel Lew, Rabbi Zev Katz, Rabbi Moshe Feller, and many others. This
was followed by a few words from HC Berel Slavaticki, who emphasized the importance
of the day.
After singing Ani Maamin with a video of the Rebbe, the Rebbe’s kapital was read by
Rabbi Dubinsky.
Following the lavish main course, prepared by chef Shloime Futerfas and the dedicated
kitchen staff, Rabbi Avraham Shemtov spoke. He shared with camp a note that he
recently found in which Rabbi Lazar had written the directives that the Rebbe gave
regarding the founding of camp. After describing in detail the Rebbe’s close connection
with camp, Rabbi Shemtov called up the guest speaker, Rabbi Moshe Lazar, who flew in
especially for the occasion from Milan, Italy, where he is a shliach. Rabbi Lazar was
privileged to be the one who founded Camp Gan Yisroel together with Rabbi Yossi
Weinbaum and Rabbi Kehos Weiss, as well as being the first head counselor. Rabbi
Lazar described the Rebbe’s fatherly care to each and every individual, and spoke
about how Camp Gan Yisroel has grown from 1 camp with under 100 campers in the
inaugural season to 400 branches, with 10,000 staff and 150,000 campers annually.
Gan Yisroel’s very own choir then sang a song that was composed especially for this
event. A sicha of the Rebbe about the importance of camp was then shown, after which
a camper spoke and introduced the theme video. The theme video describes the
change that camp can make in the life of each camper. Then came spirited singing and
dancing.
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Continue reading “Gala Banquet Celebrates 60th Year”