More than 1,500 children from a wide range of backgrounds attended Jewish summer day camps organized by Chabad-Lubavitch centers in London, Edgware, Ilford, Wimbledon, Bournemouth, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester, England.
With staffs comprised of directors and counselors from the United Kingdom, United States, France, Belgium and Israel, the camps posted some of their largest enrollment figures in recent history.
Camp “is a crucial step in ensuring another generation of Jewish children are excited about their Jewishness and Judaism,” commented Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, chief executive of Chabad-Lubavitch UK. “The numbers this year confirm Chabad-Lubavitch as one of the largest providers of fun-filled summer activities for Jewish children in the UK.”
According to Rabbi Shmuly and Chana Karasik, who ran London’s Lubavitch Day Camp, the institution set a record with its more than 400 campers.
“It has been an incredible summer camp this year,” said Shmuly Karasik, “our biggest yet.”
Chana Karasik said the camp focused on the upcoming Hebrew month of Tishrei, which begins with the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah and includes the holidays of Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah. The campers waded through water in a reenactment of the tashlich ritual traditionally performed on Rosh Hashanah, picked apples and gathered honey – two traditional Rosh Hashanah foods – crafted ram’s horns known as shofars, and studied the meaning behind the Four Species of plants held together during Sukkot.
“The children were imbued with the joys of Tishrei,” said Chana Karasik.
In North Manchester, the Lubavitch Day Camp also experienced its largest-ever summer, said director Rabbi Levi Wineberg.
“When we started to run the camp 12 years ago, there were only between 40 and 60 children,” explained Wineberg. “Now we have more than 500.”
“The 10 percent increase over last year is a reflection of our non-judgmental approach and our acceptance of every Jewish child regardless of their level of observance,” added Rivka Wineberg.
Nearby, at the South Manchester Day Camp, 50 children enjoyed a variety of arts and crafts projects, field trips and a family barbeque.
“By coming to our camp, the children get to experience a Jewish environment and take pride in their heritage,” said Louise Weinberg, who ran the camp with Rochel Jaffe. “There is a lot of competition for children’s attention over the summer. If they didn’t come to us, they would be going to a tennis camp or a football camp.”
Edgware’s Camp Gan Israel had close to 150 children in attendance over a three week period.
“We enjoyed activities such as trips to Adventure Island, Woburn Safari Park and Gulliver’s Land, as well as sports, arts and crafts and a carnival,” said director Rabbi Yaron Jacobs.
“Camp has been amazing” said one camper at Camp Gan Israel Ilford, organized by Rabbi Odom and Henry Brandman and head counselor Rivky Kesselman.
One parent said: “Last summer, my child spent one week at Chabad and one week at another camp. He said that this summer he only wants to go to Chabad!”
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