Category: CGI News

Every good organization gets better with age and Camp Gan Yisroel, NY established by the Rebbe 48 years ago is no different.

Thanks to a very dedicated Camp Director Rabbi Yossie Futerfas-now in his 16th season at the helm- backed by a talented head staff headed up by Head Counselors Yoel Gancz, Simcha Morgenstern and Yudi Steiner and learning directors Rabbi Sholom Baras and Tmimim Shaya Gopin and Yehuda Stern, CGI is BH once again off to a great start.

The 280+ campers k”ah, the most campers in over decade and perhaps even longer than that, in 25 bunks, including the increasingly popular Bar Mitzvah Division have camp rocking away.

Arriving on Tuesday afternoon, the campers were treated to spanking clean camp grounds. From the shiny floors in the Shul where the air conditioning was pumping away, to the neatly trimmed grass all around camp along with the clean crisp country air, campers and staff alike agreed it was great to be back for yet another summer in The Rebbe’s Camp.

Tuesday afternoon was reserved for unpacking.

On Wednesday, with the weather still very hot the campers were able to get all the pool rules and regulations and still have time for a much appreciated swim in CGI’s Olympic-size outdoor pool. Campers also had fun filled sports activities.

Wednesday night also featured the first night activity of the season performed by N.A.D. Moshe Hecht.

Camp Gan Israel – Parksville, NY covered with a blanket of snow.

There are only 187 days left till the first session @ CGINY where preparations are already underway to fulfill this year’s Roshei Taivos: “Tehay Shnas Great Summer”.

Looking to make a Chazaka for 5762, the technicians @ Gan Yisroel, NY are making the final preparations to broadcast Sunday evenings end-of-the-summer grand banquet live over the internet @ CAMPGANISRAEL.com.
The broadcast is scheduled to begin B”EH @ lerech 7:00pm Eastern Daylight Time.

To watch the live broadcast click here

Yesterday afternoon we had a beautiful and exciting color war break out. After hearing on Shabbos about the new property Gan Yisroel is about to purchase, (as was written on shmais) the campers were told that someone had given an extra big donation and therefore the grounds was going to be purchased together with a big celebration on Monday afternoon. At around five o’clock the campers all went up to hill were the ribbon cutting celebration was to take place from a point where you were able to see the new grounds. Rabbi Shemtov spoke about how special this is for the Rebbe’s camp, and just thereafter H.C. Asher Deren announced that the first activity we are going to be doing is COLOR WAR. (the funny part is that the grounds are still going to be purchased)

The campers all went into the Shul to be split up into teams. General Moshe Steiner’s team was called Lehovie Es HaGeulah, and General Mendy Kaplan’s team was called Lilmoid MaiHarebbe.
At night the campers watched four smashing scavengers, about golfing court cases sewing and much more. All the campers left the Shul with a smile on their face eager to jump into their bed for another smashing day of Color War .

Tuesday morning the campers woke up early to begin learning Mishnayos Baal Peh. Followed by Davening in a beautifully decorated Shul prepared the night before by the hard working staff.

As soon as learning classes finished, the kids began practicing there theme song until they were stopped by lineup and lunch. After lunch there was the song presentation followed by races in the indoor pool.

After Minchah the campers watched a gorgeous play. After supper the kids watched a second beautiful play. Right after the plays everyone said Krias Shema, and went to sleep more tired than ever.

This morning camp was in an uproar. Just after the camp woke up there was talk of a special guest coming to camp today, so after breakfast the camp had an extra cleanup. Later on the camp got word that he is not going to come today.
During learning classes the competition continued, more classes went head to head in a game of connect four.
During activities we had Playoffs; there were enough upsets that had the entire camp talking. The number eight seed squeezed pass the number one seed 38 to 34 in a game of basketball. The second upset was when the seventh seed beat the number two seed 6 to 4 in a game of hockey. The championship will be on Thursday IY”H.
For night activity the camp had judgment night were campers bring the staff to court for what ever reason they desire. The three most respected figures that were brought to court were
1) NAD Moshe Markel – for not being funny enough.
2) HC Aher Deren for owing campers pictures of the Rebbe.
3) ECAD Levi Backman for not coming through with the trips he promised bunk Yud Daled. Whereupon found guilty promised bunk Yud Daled together with the entire camp a trip to six flags – great adventures tomorrow.
The campers went to sleep with smiles from ear to ear, awaiting the big day coming tomorrow.

Moshiach day, yes another great amazing day in Gan Yisroel. Truthfully every day in Gan Yisroel is a day that we are working hard to bring Moshiach, but I guess today is something special. “Line up CGI”, line up in one very very very long line to bring out the Achdus (unity) between us all. By Davening all the campers sat together (i.e. the benches were pushed together) also showing the unity between all the campers. After that by breakfast we had a special guest – the food inspector. Then came learning classes. During learning classes the younger Kevutzah’s that are learning Mishnayos Succah (which speaks about different types of Succah’s that are Possul) started building model Succah’s (with Popsicle sticks). They head a competition which Kevutzah can build the nicest one. MEANWHILE the older kevutzah’s are having kevutzah vs. Kevutzah BEES on Shulchan Aruch Hilchos Elul & Tishrei.
During the day the playoffs in the 1st division of athletics kicked off. Additionally the new NBA hoops where in full use. Most of the bunks went swimming, it was a very hot day here in Gan Yisroel. In the evening the staff had an amazing OUTDOOR play. It started off about 7:45 starring all the head staff even Rabbi Baras acted. It had to do with a Chacham in Kabul who didn’t have any children and then Hashem blessed him with a special child but later they got separated. At the end of the play the father and son reunited together again. The “Nimshal” is that we are separated from our father the Rebbe and we can’t see him physically, but very soon we will be reunited together with him with the coming of Moshiach right now.