The staff of JRNU, Chabad and local rabbis have been running summer camps for Jewish children across Ukraine for over 30 years, and this year was no exception. While the challenges were many and number of participants was less, it was more critical than ever to provide kids an opportunity for fun, relaxation and a bit of learning.
“There are non-stop sirens, the atmosphere of tension, but this camp is necessary for children who are going through an unusual time,” says Rabbi Shaul Horowitz, a Chabad emissary who serves as the chief rabbi of the western-central city of Vinnytsia.
“This is a real life-saver, and especially this year we’ve made tremendous efforts to hold the summer camp as usual. We’ve been running it for 19 years now. Every year, about a hundred kids come here, and this year, we have 58. Usually, we call on instructors from Chabad families, but this time, we called local instructors, our graduates.”
In the Chernivtsi District, one camp is trying to readjust to the complex situation. “Over the recent months, 200 Jewish children have left us and 700 others came — refugees from all over Ukraine,” said Rabbi Menachem Glitsenshtein. “This time the camp is split between local children and children of refugees.”
In Vinnytsia, the camp usually has 100 kids, and this year that number is 58. Nevertheless, the camps have been an overwhelming success and we look forward to returning to a full-scale operation next year, G-d willing.
