An Oasis in Ukraine – ‘The Shluchim Shtetl’

The ‘Shtetl’, a word which evokes childhood memories of pleasant bedtime stories, a place which bespeaks of an oasis of Yiddishkeit. The streets and buildings of the ‘Shtetl’ celebrate Shabbos and Yom Tov along with their Jewish inhabitants, the very air itself is filled with vibrant energy. Everything about it is conducive to a Jewish way of life.

For 180 young Shluchim, the ‘Shtetl’ is not merely a thing of the past, pulled from an exciting story book, but rather a living and vital part of their Shlichus.

Feeding off the success of The Shluchim Office’ winter camp for Tzeirei Hashluchim now held in Florida, another branch was opened in Ukraine four years ago to service the Shluchim in the Former Soviet Union.

The camp has affectionately been called the ‘Shluchim Shtetl’. As the name itself implies, it is a place where the young Shluchim spend ten days surrounded by an atmosphere that energizes and invigorates them on their Shlichus.

The boys division is held in a beautiful and up-to-date campsite in Zhitomir, Ukraine. The staff running the program is a select group of Kvutza bochurim flown in from 770. In their own unique and creative way, they prepared a packed schedule filled with trips, activities and farbrengens, all in a Chassidisher way.

The girls division is run by a group of seminary girls in Israel, who are devotedly arranging each moment of the camp to be a growing and inspiring one. The location that the girls will be using is an attractive campsite in the city of Berdichev, Ukraine.

With the help of the unbelievable staff and their unmatched devotion, it is the fervent hope that the camp instill in these young Shlcuhim the energy and vigor to continue on with their important and vital work.

In the words of one staff member who worked in the boys division last year, “Every moment [of camp] is filled with excitement and positive energy. It is truly a place which helps them on their Shlichus throughout the year.”

The following is an excerpt from the diary of a staff member:

DAY 2

The second day in the ‘Shtetl’, started at an early hour in the morning. After an energetic Davening, the campers had a delicious breakfast and headed to learning classes.

For two hours every day, the young Shluchim enjoy an interactive and educational learning program that was prepared specifically for them. The curriculum is divided into two subjects, giving them insight and an understanding into the many special things we do as Chabad Chassidim.

Greeting the campers at the conclusion of learning classes, was a bus. “Trip time!” they all shouted out with joy and anticipation. Within a few short minutes the bus was loaded and the camp set out for its first trip; bowling.

In the ‘Shluchim Shtetl’ there are no shortages of surprises, even after such an exciting and eventful day there was still more to come.

Upon their arrival back to camp, each bunk was sent out to collect twigs and wood for a bonfire. As the flames crackled lightly and the smoke drifted upwards, the Shluchim sang and heard stories in honor of Rebbetzin Chana’s birthday on 28 Teves.

The singing continued late into the night, as some eyes drooped close, the busy schedule took its toll on the smiling campers and it was time to head for bed to get energized for yet another exciting day in camp.

Before heading for bed there was one more stop; the Shul, dubbed as ‘770’. As a rule, every single night the young Shluchim watch a video clip of the Rebbe, before lights out.

“The Shluchim Shtetl” in Ukraine is run by Rabbi Moshe Leib Weber, Shliach to Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine and director of the camp, in partnership with The Shluchim Office who have pioneered a great many educational programs to educate and train children of Shluchim to become the future Shluchim of the Rebbe’s army. Some of the many projects offered by The Shluchim Office include the well-known Kinus Tzeirei Hashluchim and the Nigri International Shluchim Online School.