CGI Montreal Releases Its First-Ever Live Kumzing

This past summer, Camp Gan Israel Montreal brought a new dimension to the camp music experience with its first-ever live Kumzing, bringing together more than 400 campers and counselors to sing as one.

Unlike a traditional studio recording, this production set out to capture something that has always been at the heart of Gan Yisroel: the powerful experience of campers and counselors singing together.

From Friday night meals to BOG War and Color War, some of camp’s most memorable, impactful and profound moments happen when the hundreds of voices of campers and counselors join together in song. This summer, CGI Montreal set out to capture that energy and preserve it in a professional recording and music video.

For its debut Kumzing, the camp chose “Standing Side by Side,” a beloved song originally written as a Color War alma mater in the summer of 5756 (1996). Over the past three decades, the song has become a camp classic, sung in Gan Yisroel camps around the world.

The song tells the moving story of a camper and counselor who each approach the Rebbe with a heartfelt message at the conclusion of the summer.

The counselor reflects on the precious children entrusted to his care and his shlichus to instill in them a lasting connection to the Rebbe. The camper, in turn, expresses gratitude for the counselor whose dedication, friendship, and example brought him closer to the Rebbe.

Though neither initially realizes the other is there, the two ultimately meet and embrace, capturing the deep bond formed over a summer in Gan Yisroel.

The live performance brings that message to life, with the campers and staff themselves singing the words together.

More than just a musical production, the Kumzing is a tribute to the lasting impact of Gan Yisroel and the relationships between campers, counselors, and the Rebbe that continue long after the summer ends.

The new music video is now available on YouTube, Spotify, and 24six.

WATCH

Lyrics:

Standing side by side
Tears well up in their eyes
Each unaware that the other is there
Whispering a silent prayer

(Staff)
Dear Rebbe I want you to see
The children you entrusted to me
Each one a jewel so precious and rare
You have placed into my care
To live with you every moment
Is the message I’ve tried to impart
To bring you lematah, together with us
Each of us doing our part
Now Rebbe the summer is over
Now that my shlichus is through
I ask that the spirit of Gan Yisroel
Continue in all that they do

(Campers)
Dear Rebbe I’d like you to see
How much Gan Yisroel changed me
I’m closer to you than ever before
Connected forevermore
My counselor your shilach inspired me
With true dedication and love
His friendship I’ll treasure forever
How can I thank him enough
Oy Rebbe your Gan Yisroel
Will always find place in my heart
It’s chayus and warmth will remain with me
It’s lessons I’ll treasure and guard

(Together)
As the crowd at the Ohel does grow
Mendele turns to go
As he leaves he sees a familiar face
Camper and counselor embrace
Goodbye, Gan Yisroel
Farewell to those wonderful times
Your memories will always be part of me
Oh Gan Yisroel, goodbye

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