Gan Yisrael takes Israel soldiers to heart

YEHUDA LEVIN
PHOTOGRAPH: MENDI KATZ

Pictured: The girls division of Gan Yisrael.

They were also given an opportunity to write letters to the soldiers in the IDF who are guarding the Holy Land, expressing their thanks to them

The camp was attended by more than 550 boys and girls in three divisions. The boys’ division was headed by Menachem Shemtov and Mendel Ciment; the girls’ division was headed by Esty Wineberg and Chomi Lisbon; and the kiddie division was headed by Chanie Spielman and Tamar Bloch.

Run under the auspices of Chabad House, directed by Rabbis David Masinter and Michael Katz, the camp has become a household name within the Johannesburg Jewish community over the last three decades. According to the camp directors, Rabbi Pini and Rochie Pink ,more and more parents contact them early on in the year to plan their family holidays around the camp dates.

The key to the camp, they say, is the non-judgemental atmosphere that is employed by the broadminded staff. “We are tremendously proud that the children of Camp Gan Yisrael represent the full spectrum of the Jewish community.”

Children from every Jewish school in Johannesburg attend, as well as Jewish children who do not attend Jewish schools – they all come together to have a fantastic time, some building friendship which last a lifetime.

Camp Gan Yisrael is part of the largest network of Jewish camps, with hundreds of affiliates worldwide.

“We have a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to draw on from camp directors across the globe who we consult with in building our programmes,” says Rabbi Pink, “but we rely heavily on our staff’s appreciation for the needs and flavour of the local community.”

With separate programs for boys, girls and a kiddie camp for the toddlers, Camp Gan Yisrael prides itself on tailor-made programming rather than “one size fits all” activities.

Gan Yisrael looks forward to welcoming back all its campers in December for its annual summer camp.