An unforgettable summer for over 180 campers has just concluded with an inspiring blend of outdoor adventure, deep bonding, and amazing growth in Yiddishkeit. The final week kicked off with an overnight in the woods, where campers from all divisions joined around crackling campfires for farbrengens, toasted marshmallows, and uplifting stories.

The excitement continued as the teen division headed to Vermont for their grand trip—featuring white-water rafting, ropes courses, and an overnight stay hosted by Rabbi Andruiser at Chabad of Vermont—while younger campers enjoyed a trampoline park trip and an interactive “kosher hunt.” Campers competed in L’man Achai’s first-ever live-streamed game show centered on the 12 Pesukim, followed by a moving staff play illustrating that a Jew’s connection to Hashem is forever unbroken.

The emotional crescendo of the summer came during the farewell banquet, when camper Yonatan Edry from Northern California stepped up to speak:

“Hi, my name is Yonatan Edri. I come from Northern California. I learn in a public school with about 700 students… I am aware of only five students, including myself, who are Jewish.”

He recalled his first two-week stay at camp last year, and the harsh reality awaiting him back home.
“Everything was regular until one day I experienced an extremely antisemitic incident. I was shocked. I didn’t know what to do; I couldn’t get back to myself. When I was home, I was thinking about what my counselor would have told me to do. I remembered that my counselor would have told me, ‘Go to school wearing a kippah.’

“And that’s what I did. I went to school the next day wearing a kippah and my tzitzit hanging out of my shirt, and there was never another incident of antisemitism after that… They saw that I really stand up for myself. And that was it.”

As Yonatan finished, the room erupted. Campers and staff leaped to their feet in a wave of cheers, applause, and tearful celebration—a living testament to the fruits of the camp’s dedication.

Yonatan returned to Camp L’man Achai for the full summer this year, taking on new hachlotos and earning first place in the Torah By Heart learning competition. As campers return home inspired to wear their Yiddishkeit with pride, staff are already preparing for the first off-season Shabbaton of the year.