The staff of Camp Gan Israel of Yekatrinoslav will be greeted with a different type of staff gift this summer. They will each be getting a “Pocket Pistol” Self Defense Pepper Spray.
While this might seem like another outrageous gesture in line with the non conventional ways Yekatrinoslav is famous for, some Yeka veterans feel this is a basic necessity.
“As someone that has faced the anti-semitism head on, out in Ukraine, I think this is a no-brainer,” says Yeka veteran Mendy Pellin who arranged this self defense campaign. “I pray that they won't have to use them, but I feel this is a basic obligation to help protect the 'next generation' of Yekaheads”
Spraying Away Anti-Semitism… Literally
The staff of Camp Gan Israel of Yekatrinoslav will be greeted with a different type of staff gift this summer. They will each be getting a “Pocket Pistol” Self Defense Pepper Spray.
While this might seem like another outrageous gesture in line with the non conventional ways Yekatrinoslav is famous for, some Yeka veterans feel this is a basic necessity.
“As someone that has faced the anti-semitism head on, out in Ukraine, I think this is a no-brainer,” says Yeka veteran Mendy Pellin who arranged this self defense campaign. “I pray that they won’t have to use them, but I feel this is a basic obligation to help protect the ‘next generation’ of Yekaheads”
“It’s one thing to hear about it, and another to see it,” starts Arele Talishevsky, who will be a teacher and dorm counselor this year in Yekatrinoslav. “When I heard of the idea, it seemed clear that this is no less important than packing a bathing suite.”
Two years ago the staff and campers were attacked on a trip in Yepatoria.
“It was mamash a nes that no one was seriously injured, all 26 staff and 130 campers,” one of this years head counselors Benny Herkovitch said. Benny played a vital role in neutralizing one of the attackers and disarming him.
“After the guy tried to stab a few staff and campers, Benny jumped him from behind and got the large knife out of his hand.” So says veteran Peretz Golding, who is returning this year as head counselor.
The fight then escalated with a counselor getting a glass bottle cracked on his head, another counselor bunched in the eye and the life-guard kicked in the head. With other people joining in the fight, there was potential for major escalation. The “fire” was quickly extinguished when one staff member rushed in with his pepper spray and neutralized the new attackers, one of whom also had a knife on him.
“Unfortunately, the staff from the camp just an hour away from us, were not that lucky,” says former director/head counselor Chaim Danzinger, who is still the camps spiritual advisor.
The odds were against the two counselors in Simforapol who were attacked by a dozen skinheads. Those staff wound up in the hospital, one with a concussion.
“I know when you are a shliach Mitzvah you are protected.. but it’s a dangerous world out there today..” says Mendy Pellin. “I am hoping that others will follow our lead.. I am appealing to all those traveling anywhere in the U.S. and abroad to take major precautions.. even people staying in Crown Heights for the summer should buy themselves one of these sprays..”
You could buy pepper spray in a lot of places, including Sunshine Pharmacy on Kingston Ave ($14).
fan
That was a very informative, and humorous, article. Mendy, keep up your great work! (your old chavrusa and current fan)
GO MENDY!
Saving jewish lives!!!
Chaim
Suma, Thanks so much!!! It’s a shame that you didn’t think of this back a couple summers ago prior to our fierce encounter with an armed intoxicated Ukrainian Anti-Semite….
Sumashedshi Mendy comes through again!!!
Concerned mother
As a CH’er I would always hear people chanting some Yekatrinoslav song friday afternoon just after shabbos began, later I would meet these counselors in 770 and the chayus they had is certainly remarkable! If only the staff in our camps here would give over this type of enthusiasm to our children…..
This camp is certainly revolutionizing a lot, both spriritually and now physically!
Hashem ishmor tzescha u’boyecha meata vead oilam.
Tattie Danzinger
I suppose that only the Camp Director, Akiva Danzinger, gets the AK-14 fully automatic?
eh
Every person in crown heights should have this.
worried
I don’t understand how everyone is happy about this.. giving our children weapons????? Who’s to say they won’t accidentally use them hurting one of our own???
It sounds pretty careless.. if you ask me…
If a place is dangerous.. don’t go.. don’t have the staff arm up where they could spray at themselves or make a mistake!
PEPPER SPRAYER
THE SUGGESTION THAT WE GET THESE DEVICES FOR C.H. MAY BE IMPRACTICAL B/C I THINK THAT THEY ARE ILLEGAL IN NY.
ANY SUGGESTIONS?
What Chutzpa
This is totally against the way of Lubavitch, we are not soldiers, nor do we travel overseas to instigate fights and beat up gentiles. That is just not the derech of lubavitch.
I’m sure head counselors and NIGHT ACTIVITY directors in Gan Yisroel NY and Lubavitch City Michigan don’t give weapans to their staff….
Please stop this narishkeiten…. go learn sichos & reshimos and stop with this yekotranoslov stuff.
levi
Yeh it’s really needed. I remember the time three summers ago, after we got attacked the shliach went out and bought us all pepper spray. Thank G-d after that there were no more incidents.
Arele: Mazal tov and much Hatzlacha.
levi
Let’s learn the valuable lesson of ahavas yisroel
through using shtus d’kedusha too!
trouble
I think we need it in ch to
Pepper spray or vegetable juice?
Pepper sprayer: If they are illegal, why would they be sold unregulated and without question? For heaven’s sake, it’s vegetable juice!
ms
the ones they sell at in Sunshine are totally legal in NY.. everyone should go out and buy buy buy!!
its legal
pepper spray is actually legal, you need to register with i.d. when you buy it.
be carefull
I spent one year learning in the Former Soviet Union, and I agree one hundred percent. Pepper spray should be required for all people traveling in such regions. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
While it may seen a little silly or annoying carrying around the extra weight it is definitely worth it.
Also you may want to bring a can with you from America. Even though they do sell pepper spray there you have no idea of what the quality is.
In short, don’t forget to pack the spray.
P.S. on airplanes you must pack it with your baggage. They will not let you take it with you in you carry on.
nice
way to go akiva
*c
it’s sad that it had to come to this huh
Moish
Yekatrinoslav rocks!!! I think you guys should sponsor these pepper sprays to passerbys in CH as well! You guys do a pheonomenal job!!
your website is great!!!
#1 Fan
B"H
SumaMendy you don’t seize to amaze me.
Yesher Koach for reaching higher and higher!
The staff who missed the flight...
URGENT: WE ARE 2 YEKA STAFF STRNADED IN KIEV AIRPORT AND DO NOT HAVE PEPPER-SPRAY! WE FEEL UTCHIN FRIKKIN VONERABLE. PLEASE IF SOMEONE CAN GET IN CONTACT WITH A YEKA STAFF MEMBER ON THE KVORIM TRIP PLEASE LET THEM KNOW ABOUT OUR VERY SERUOUS PERDICAMENT. SPASIBA AND YECHI YEKA! (they took it!)
self-defender
To What Chutzpah…get a life!
So the Israeli soldiers don’t need weapons to protect themselves & others?
Yes, they are given Chitas etc, which no one can argue has the power for protection. But they need guns too! In case you didn’t know, guns (loaded!) KILL THE ENEMY…before our boys get killed Chas v’sholom.
And I’ve NEVER heard of Lubavitchers "instigating" fights! Responding, yes…starting up, no.
what rock do you hide under…better dig deeper, they’ll be coming for you!
***
sumachachy chi!
that is absolutlya an amazing idea! keep up the great work an ya should’nt ever have to use that juice. that picture rocks.
yg
hi akiva,
great way to say hi. i haven’t seen you in years.
yossi G.
Yosef Abramov
mendy you’re da bomb
Yeka Fools
What kind of nonsense is this?
crownheights.info should not have even posted such a ridiculous article.
I’m shocked and appalled!
Pepper spray??!
Did anyone read the article? Knifing and kicking in the head and cracked glass on the head??my kids read this website,and even if they didn’t it’s inappropriate.
All the people involved in this camp have great intentions,but they all seem to be a little misled,even a bit crazy.(which is probably what they like to hear)
But let’s be realistic.
Anyhow,good luck Yeka..
Another CH Parent
to "yeka fools"
I think this article is very important!!
There has to be an outlet for everyone to know some of the TRUTHS out there.. This article could actually save someones life that is traveling abroad…
Ever heard the saying: knowledge is power…
The only way to help prevent bad events from happening is to know they are happening.. sounds like common sense for me..
And maybe it is good for your kids to know that it’s important to be careful out there.. not everyone is a nice fluffy elmo!
Who agrees with me?
to chutzpa
i was russia for two summers and i think this is curucial to chutzpa obviously in cgi ny and michagian they don’t give out b/c there are no threats but in ukraine and russia how many bochurim need to be hit more and knocked unconcious before you realize the threat you sound like the left in israel make peace give them land even when they are attacking us have you ever read shulchan oruch siman sin yud ches obviously not….
go yeka foreva and arela love laima
YEka fools is the fool
This is an amazing down to earth decision!! I wish you best of luck next time you’re attacked by hooligans in an anti semitic country!!! Good luck to you!! Us yeka boys will come to your rescue nonetheless… just outta love…
A Boy in Yeka!!!
HEY GUYS!!! WE JUST ARRIVED…. THIS YEARS CHEVRE ARE GREAT!!! CAMP WILL ROCK!!! I CAN EVEN SAY THAT WE HAVE SOME BETTER GUYS THAN LAST YEAR!!! NOT TO MENTION TWO AWESOME HEAD COUNSELORS!!!! GUYS!!!! WHOEVER DIDN’T COME lost out!!! Sorry
Mendy THANKS FOR THE PEPPER SPRAY, I already used it on the kvorim trip, made a world of difference to the salad we were eating!
to what a chutzpa
TO: what a chutzpa,
Have you ever been held at gunpoint to judge what is appropriate? ig gd forbid you were attacked I bet you would get a gun, and you would be doing the right thing,
in this day and age where jews are very loved in the world i think every single one of us should be armed, but maybe you dont feel responsible enough to carry it yourself, then you are better off that way, but dont impose your insecurities on the cost of other peoples lives and safety
grow up
To yeka fools.
So just because your kids read this news site, you expect the rest of lubavitch to ignore what is going on in the world. You would rather more buchrim get beat up and stabbed an killed ( the logic being that this article will make buchrim more cautious, i.e save lives) just so your little angels wont know what the real world is like?
You have your priorities totally messed up. You are not concerned that buchrim were “Knifed and kicked in the head and cracked glass on the head??”. Instead you are upset that your kids had to read it. Maybe you should be upset at the skin heads who committed these atrocities in the first place?
And if you don’t want your kids reading this stuff don’t let them use the internet, period. As a side point, if the worst that your kids saw on the internet was a sentence that read “Knifing and kicking in the head and cracked glass on the head??”. Then your kids are doing very good, because between you and me, just by surfing the internet alone they have been exposed to much worse……………………. (No need to explain)
Don’t try to make the world conform to your idiocies. Grow up.
Stop the atrocities
as a former resident of Ukraine I can say you guys make us lots of problems. you people come to ukraine fight and beat up local unarmed civilians… the only sin of these poor people is that they wanted to find some bread for their families to eat! and what do you do???? you spray pepper in their face…. now that is hutzpa!!!
Do this in your country not in ours….
I’m from Beliy Zerkov and we had very few jews to live there and non of them had pepper spray.
Borka
Peretz. you da bomb
Jewish dude
Please go to the police station: 1 police plaza NY city is the address. Get a permit to buy and carry a pistol. This is the only true defense for frumme yidden.