Poland Chabad Hosts Summer Retreat for 200 Refugees

Chabad of Poland made a summer retreat for Ukrainian Jews from five different communities to give them a physical break and a spiritual refuge from the chaos of their war-torn country.

As the war in Ukraine continues into its third summer, Chabad of Poland hosted more than 200 Jewish Ukrainians, hailing from five communities, for a two-week summer experience focused on allowing children and their parents a break from life in a warzone.

Participants came from Kamianske, Sumy, Kremenchuk, Dnipro and and Kyiv. The program this year was led by Rabbi Levi and Dina Stambler of Chabad of Kamianske in close collaboration with Rabbi Levi’s brothers, Rabbi Sholom Ber and Rabbi Mayer Stambler of Chabad of Poland. Rabbi Yechiel and Rochi Levitansky of Chabad of Sumy also participated alongside members of their community.

The camp included specialized activities and psycho-trauma counseling designed to support attendees as they navigate their challenging circumstances. Daily activities range from field trips and arts and crafts to music and baking classes, all within a spiritually enriching environment. The program is staffed by educational and recreational staff all fluent in Ukrainian.

“Ukrainian refugees still face enormous day-to-day challenges. The summer is particularly difficult because there without school in session, there is little structure to the day for children, and a working parent has the challenge of how to keep their child occupied with a meaningful experience. The camp experience we provide these families not only meets their spiritual and communal needs, but gives them important respite from their daily challenge,” said Chabad of Poland Director Rabbi Sholom Ber Stambler.

“Growing up, summer was our chance to escape the routine of the rest of the year and dive into sports, fun and lasting friendships. For our children, summer offers a special opportunity to engage in informal education that emphasizes Jewish identity, heritage, values and customs in a more engaging and comprehensive way,” he added.

One-third of this year’s program is funded by Mosaic United, a global nonprofit that supports initiatives strengthening young Jews’ connections to their Jewish identities and Israel, in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. Chabad of Poland is covering the remaining two-thirds of the program’s costs through its network of partners. To support Chabad of Poland’s campaign, please visit: www.saveajew.org.

“We are deeply grateful to our generous supporters, hundreds of individuals and families from around the Jewish world for their support of our summer program for Ukrainian Jewish refugees,” said Chabad of Poland Co-Director Rabbi Mayer Stambler. “Our goal is to offer these children a sense of normalcy and emotional comfort this summer, within a fun and uplifting environment.”

Since the start of the Russian incursion into Ukraine, Chabad of Poland based in Warsaw has opened its doors to Ukraine’s Jewish community offering refuge, transportation, kosher food, medical aid, financial and material assistance, childcare, educational and social services, communal activities, and administrative and legal aid to tens of thousands displaced by the conflict. Since the start of the war, Chabad in Poland has seen its expenses rise by more than US$2.5 million. 

For more information or to contribute to relief efforts, please visit: www.saveajew.org.