Public School Kids Enjoy Jewish Winter Break

Over the past week and a half, the Jewish Released Time program, under the auspices of the NCFJE, arranged two camps for public school children during their winter vacation, with over 70 children in attendance.

The Brooklyn camp was hosted by United Lubavitch Yeshiva on Ocean Parkway. The Queens camp was hosted by Anshei Shalom-Chabad in Forest Hills.

The children were taken daily on afternoon trips, which were preceded by a morning program filled with activities to promote Jewish knowledge and pride.

The children were treated to nourishing hot breakfasts and lunches, learning and arts and crafts activities, such as sand art and baking Challah. Trips to bowling, the zoo and Kids in Action were a definite hit. The children also spent a day in Crown Heights, where they visited the Matzah bakery, enjoyed kosher pizza and had a rally in 770.

The halls of ULY and the Chabad center echoed with the famous songs “I’m a Jew and I’m proud” and “Torah Tziva Lanu Moshe,” and the sounds of Jewish children learning. There were Torah contests and quizzes as well. All in all, the children were inspired and educated in their Jewish Heritage with utmost excitement.

A special thank you goes to the dedicated staff of both camps, and to Rabbi Dechter and Rabbi Mordechai Hecht for helping make the camps the success they were.