Thousands of Jewish children from across Russia are spending the summer months in Jewish camps held in dozens of locations throughout the country, where they are enjoying weeks of Yiddishkeit, Chassidishe chinuch, and connection under the guidance of rabbonim and Shluchim.

Among them are hundreds of children of Shluchim and community rabbonim, many of whom live year-round in distant cities across Russia, often as the only frum children in their surroundings. For them, the summer camp is far more than a break from school. It is a time to strengthen their Chassidishe pride, form lasting friendships, and gather kochos for another year of shlichus.

At the center of this year’s programs is Camp Gan Israel Tzeirei Hashluchim, located at the Ramenskoye campgrounds outside Moscow and directed by Rabbi Avraham Zaks. The camp hosted a special visit this week by Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, who addressed the campers and staff.

During the visit, Rabbi Lipsker, director of Moscow’s educational institutions, presented Rabbi Lazar with a unique gift symbolizing the victory of Yiddishkeit in Russia. He showed him an original red Pioneer tie from the Communist youth camps of a century ago, which were used by a regime that sought to uproot religion, alongside a new green tie bearing the emblem of the Chassidishe camp.

Speaking to the campers, Rabbi Lazar told them that together with the responsibility they carry, they must also remember the great zechus each one has, especially as children living on shlichus in Russia. He thanked the camp staff for their devoted work and said that one of the greatest successes in shlichus is when people see how much care is invested in the chinuch of the children.

A major highlight of the camp came when the campers traveled to the town of Lubavitch, where they davened at the Ohel of the Tzemach Tzedek and the Rebbe Maharash and toured the historic sites connected with the Rebbeim and the founding of Tomchei Tmimim.

The campers also joined a special excavation project taking place in the courtyard of Raboseinu Nesi’einu, the area where the first Tomchei Tmimim yeshiva was founded and where generations of the Rebbeim lived. During the work, they uncovered a rare antique pocket watch, together with old ruble coins that had been buried in the ground for decades.

The discovery brought great excitement to the campers and staff, who broke into spirited dancing in the historic courtyard in the center of Lubavitch. The items were then handed to Rabbi Gavriel Gordon, the shliach in Lubavitch and director of the local Chabad House, who oversees the restoration and upkeep of the holy sites in the town.

After an initial examination, Rabbi Gordon said that the quality and finish of the pocket watch indicate a strong likelihood that it belonged to a member of the family of the Rebbeim. The discovery added a powerful sense of connection to the visit, giving the campers a tangible link to the history they had come to experience.

The boys’ camp is one of many Jewish summer programs taking place across Russia. A parallel camp for daughters of rabbonim and Shluchim is being held in Nizhny Novgorod, directed by Mrs. Fradi Lerman, with the assistance of the city’s shliach Rabbi Shimon Bergman and his wife.

As the campers prepare to return to their cities across Russia, they will carry with them the inspiration of a summer filled with Chassidishe chinuch, friendship, and a renewed connection to the heritage of Lubavitch.

Photos: Levi Nazarov