The first session of the traditional unique children’s summer camp “Gan Yisroel Levi Yitzchak” has concluded at the picturesque Kohavi Forest Club complex. The camp was organized by the Dnipro Jewish Community with the support of the charitable organization Jewish Relief Network Ukraine for a full-fledged vacation for children who could be accompanied by their parents. During this first session, children from families of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s shluchim working in Dnipro were able to rest. The children’s recreation program was carefully developed with the participation of the community’s leading educators and was aimed at harmoniously combining active recreation, creativity, games, and spiritual development in an atmosphere of true Yiddishkeit.
This year, the children’s program was built around a special concept of six colors. Each day had its own color, motto, and spiritual idea, and participants received colored bracelets as a symbol of the stage they had completed. All activities, workshops, games, and creative projects helped the children – who were divided into a boys’ team and a girls’ team – not only have fun but also, through vivid experiences, reflect on important life values.
The first, “white,” day was dedicated to the beginning of a new path and the freedom of choice. After arrival, the children got to know each other, went through creative stations, painted transparent balls and their own water bottles, created a group poster for the session, and gradually became part of a large, friendly team.
A special place in the program was held by the following day, which coincided with the fast of the 17th of Tamuz. The participants spoke about the events connected with the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, reflected on the meaning of creation in every person’s life, created thematic artwork, and reinforced their new knowledge during an exciting intellectual game.
The “green” day was dedicated to growth and development. The children spoke about how a person is like a tree and must constantly grow spiritually, planted flowers, prepared colorful challahs for Shabbos, and participated in lessons based on the weekly Torah portion.
During Shabbos, the program continued with the “yellow” day, dedicated to joy. After prayers, the children enjoyed numerous games and quests, a search for hidden symbols throughout the “Gan Yisroel Levi Yitzchak” grounds, and game-based activities that helped them study pesukim in an engaging way.
The program continued with a traditional “battle of the colors,” during which the boys’ and girls’ teams prepared creative projects that revealed the meaning of their color and its main idea. The session concluded with a vibrant multicolored day that united all the program’s themes: the children decorated festive cookies, took part in a large team game, prepared a theatrical surprise for their parents dedicated to the story of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and gathered in the evening for a warm closing ceremony by the campfire.
“We very much wanted each color to be not just a beautiful symbol for the children but a true life lesson that they could experience through creativity, games, friendship, and shared activities,” said Sheina Segal, head madricha of the first session. “Together with madrichot Chana Neumann and Chaya Feldman, we sought to ensure that every child would take away not only vivid memories of ‘Gan Yisroel Levi Yitzchak,’ which took place with the support of JRNU, but also new spiritual discoveries, a sense of pride in their Jewish identity, and the joy of being part of the large family of the Rebbe’s shluchim. This was made possible thanks to the constant care and support of our united and cohesive Dnipro Jewish Community under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
