INBOX: You Daughter is Incredible

Dear Parents of Teenage Girls,

This summer, my wife and I had the incredible zechus to lead the Camp Emunah Tenth Grade Traveling Program. Also known as Cali Emunah or the Shluchos Traveling Program. I’d like to share with you a little of what I saw and learned.

First, a bit of background. After Gimmel Tammuz, my Bubby, Rebbetzin Chave Hecht a”h, who was a true visionary and trailblazer, decided that girls should connect to the Rebbe by meeting his Shluchim. She found a young, dynamic couple, Rabbi Shaya a”h Gansburg, and his wife, Goldie shetichye, to run this program. For 29 years, they dedicated themselves to it with all their heart, giving girls not only physical fun but also deep spiritual growth.

This year, my wife and I were entrusted with the gift and privilege of running the program. Honestly, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. All we knew, was that our own daughters had loved the program when they went, and that was enough for us to say yes.

It turned out to be three weeks of nonstop work, on top of months of planning. My wife poured herself into it literally day and night, and the results were beyond what we could have imagined.

In just 21 days, we visited 19 Chabad Houses and met with 22 shluchim and shluchos. What an experience! In addition to all the physical fun the girls had.

But here’s the real point I want to share with you, parents:. The girls. We had a sparkling mix of young women from different places, different schools, different homes. And let me tell you something, “today’s youth are simply amazing!”

They are bright, thoughtful, full of energy and chayus, deeply connected to Yiddishkeit and to the Rebbe, curious, strong, and committed. Watching them was inspiring.

Parents, I know sometimes it can feel overwhelming, raising teenagers is no easy task. But from what I saw this summer, you should know that today’s youth are incredible. You daughter is incredible.

May Hashem bless you that raising your children should come with ease and joy, and may you see much open, revealed, chassidishe nachas from them.

Warmly,
Rabbi Y. Yitzhak Hecht