The Ranchos

From the Batting Cages, there is a perfect view of the Ranchos ("Villa" in Argentinian).

Pics From Week Two (Round Three)

Me Batting.
Shui Hellping Edy Kohn Bat.
Shmaya Batting.
Ariel Farache Dressed Up. Israel Jaim Shojat Dressed Up.
My camper dressed up in a store.
Isaac Dayan giving Smulik the present he got for him in the Scavenger Hunt.
Shui, Shmaya and Shmary Playing Basketball. (Bryan F. was playing too.)

Amram Wahnon Swimming.

Levi Rosenblum swimming.

The Jewish Part of Camp

it's not just fun and games. here is a clip of Aharon Mizrahi Screaming a Posuk.

And Here is a clip of my campers Davening.

Some Nice Hits By The Batting Cages!

Shui Rosenblum.

Shmulik Shojat.

Ariel Farache.

Ariel Farache Screaming "Wazzup?" from the bus window.

(No I didn't teach him this. He found Apple770.com on his own.)

The Rest of the Second Week, And Shabaton Report

Thursday: We played soccer in the morning. The Little league played by our court, and the older teams played in the Hebraica court. In the afternoon we went to Bolita Center, a mall nearby, and had a scavenger hunt. Amongst the things you need to do (everything for free): get presents for the head counselor and director. Find a Jew and teach them something you learned in camp. Get a donation for camp. Make fake Tzitzis (well, duh!) make Tfilin. Hold a baby. Get someone to tie your shoe. Get a bag. Get a shoe box. Find the weirdest thing. Teach two people the Russian song, Ochin Chislivi. (Which surprisingly is a big hit!) Get one kid dressed up. And maybe another thing or two. The kids did a great job. We all had a lot of fun.

Friday: We went to the batting cages. Every kid got two or three tokens. Each token gets you about twenty pitches. I actually managed to do ok, despite the fact that I haven’t picked up a bat in three years. When we got back to camp, we played the Traveling to Yerushalaim game. A board with 100 spaces. You roll the dice, and whichever space you fall on, you have to runaround the whole camp to find that paper. On the paper there is a question you need to answer, and then you can roll the dice again. Tveria won.

Shabbos was the Shabaton for the boys. The kids started coming by 5:15 or so. Shabbos starts 6:35. there were a total of 20 kids. My bunk was not invited, and 4 kids from the oldest bunk lost it because they ran off in the park when we went horseback riding. We prepared the Scavenger hunt for Sabbos afternoon, Mamesh the last minutes before Sabbos. Friday night we davened in the big Shul. The counselors came into Kabolas Shabbos wearing funny hats which added to the Avir. (this is all a bit of a Mahapeicho for the Shul. Because kids are unofficially not invited. So Shabbos is usually pretty dull. But the Baal Habatim at least, seamed to have liked it. Friday night meal was at Shui’s house. The kids and counselors, (and co counselors all slept there too.) the kids kept us busy trying to put them to sleep till about 2 am. Shabbos morning we came to shul about 10:30. the main minyan starts at 9, but we were making our own minyan. Our minyan had to be rushing through the parts that the kids don’t say, and singing all the parts they know. Shmulik did a on the spot Kriah. We played the count the word in the aliya game during kriya. We had ices to keep the kids going. Two Baal Habatimenjoyed helping out. By the end of Davening the kids were pretty restless. At least they made it till Shishi fine! After Davening we went up yo the Kidush. We had our own 4 tables at one end. The kids sang, and we got one of the baal habatim that is Shaich to it, to farbreng for the kids. Afterwards a few kids went back to Shui’s house to “take a nap”. Most kids stayed in the Jabad House to play a little. At 4:30 we had the scavenger hunt. For some reason the clues did not all send them to the next hint, but they had fun, and Tzfas managed to find all the hints, just not in order. Mincha we davened with the main Minyan. Shalosh Seudos was by Shui’s house. Shui told a story. And a bit before the end Shmary explained the kids what Shmayonkee is, and told them that if they Scream for it, they’ll get it. None of us had prepared for this. But we Bentched, Davened Maariv, made Havdoleh, and then we quickly put on the skit with the guy with his hands tied up, having a meeting. Thanks Shui for digging into your camp days to remember that one. The kids liked it so much that we had to quickly make up another one, where we wanted to leave Cuba for Venezuela, and only one of had papers, so the other two would be his horse. Thanks again Shui. Mostly it was Shmaya, Shmary and Me. Pretty impressive, three Americans putting on stand up comedy in Spanish! Yosale also acted in the second one. If we were willing, the kids would be very happy to see more. We decided to tell the kids to put on some skits. The parents came a bit after that to pick them up. And the end of the Shabaton, you had a bunch of tired counselors, and a bunch of happy capers. Thank You Very Much Shui and Chani for the food, and all your work, Shabbos was great! Because of the way the kids liked the Shmayonkee, we will probably make a major Kamtza Bar Kamtza skit on Tisha Beav. Today we will probably go to Hebraica again to do Mivtzoim.

Mashiaj Ya!

Pics From Week Two (Round Two)

Shmaya and his bunk.

Me playing air hockey by the arcade place.
Ariel Farache playing air hockey.
Shmary and Samy Poliwoda with their bunk.

And tell me if this guy doesnt look like a nazi! (Especially with that gun.)

My bunk getting their donation.

Meir Belilty wearing his Tefilin and Tziztis, with me.

Teaching someone "Ocin Chislivi".

Young Communists

Kids Screming "Hugo" (Chavez)!

Actually they are screming "Jugo", Juice.

A Letter From An Unhappy Camper

Hi. I’m a camper in Gan Israel Caracas Venezuela. All of you probably know me, so I don’t want to say my name.

Every day I come to camp about 9 a clock, I don’t come with any of the noisy buses, I like going by car better. When I get there, one of the Madrichim or Shmulik takes me to the boy’s camp. Since I usually get there before the la Florida bus, I go to the soccer court to play a little bit, or just walk around, until camp starts.

That’s where the trouble starts. Every day all the kids beat me up. The hit me they push me and they even kick me. HARD. They don’t think it bothers me, and I make sure that they don’t see me cry. But they don’t stop. The truth is that sometimes the madrichim stop them, if the kids don’t listen, sometimes the madrichim pick me up make sure the other campers can’t hit me any more. During Davening and breakfast nobody bothers me. Sometimes afterwards they do, sometimes not. But also a lot of times on the trips, when the other kids get bored they start hitting me again. And also when the kids hit me, they think it’s funny. They don’t think about me at all. They’re heartless, they argue over who hit me, and what I did when they hit me. But they don’t even think for a second a bout how I feel. All the kids do it, not always at the same time, but at some point or another they all beat me up. Even the counselors hit me sometimes. But I like the Americans better; they don’t hit me so much.

I try not to think about the bad parts and only the good. But its very hard. I was even thinking about not coming back to camp any more, but I was told to give it one more time. But this year was the same as the others. I’m never coming back! And that’s final!


Yours Truly,
The Soccer Ball


(An Article I Wrote for this weeks newsletter, will be translated by one of the Shuchats)

This Week So Far

I'm sorry I didn’t get to the site for the past day or two; the internet was off till about an hour ago. But ill give you a rundown of this week so far.

Sunday, one of the Baalhabatim took us around a bit. Afterwards we went to Hebraica, where we
Did some Mivtzoim, we got about 5. Then we went bowling and played pool (in Hebraica) afterwards, we decided to give it one more try on the way out. Or half an hour we didn’t stop wrapping. 21 in total! Here the camp is split up by weeks, so we got a bunch of new kids. Last week the camp had 32, this week: over 50! Record for CGI Caracas in the last few years! The girls’ camp and kiddy camp also got a whole bunch of new kids. (Last year the girls had 25 this week about 50!

My bunk went from 9 to 14, including one kid that has a problem walking. (but he pushes himself so much that he just about keeps up to everyone else.)
Because my bunk doest really keep up in a soccer game that has players up to 12 years old, and also because my bunk itself is so big, they are now in their own league. Team names: Cholent and Horiza (the Sfardishe version of Cholent, the Shul here serves both.) The other teams are: Lubavitch, Rostov, Liadi, and Nikolaiv. (The kids have a hard time with teams like Rosto Nigolaso etc. And one camper on team Lubavitch complained that he’s Sfaradi!)

Monday, we went Horseback riding. a slow stroll through a Rancho. the kids that were waiting went down the road To the park that we went to for the Indian caves. Played steal the salami, and ate lunch.

Tuesday, we were supposed to go to the park to play soccer, but when we got there, we found out that because Monday was a legal holiday, the park is closed. (Usually they close Monday to clean the park, cut the grass, etc.) So we got quick permission to play in Hebraica. In the afternoon we went swimming.

Wednesday, we were supposed to go Jeeping, but they decided to stick to safe trips in the 9 days. So we went to an arcade place. We were going to go to a park afterwards to play some sort of game that includes running all over the Park, but there was no time. So we went back to camp and made a short camper counselor game. The campers’ won after 10 minutes, 1-0. Tonight we are by the Slavins again. Tomorrow we will play soccer in the morning, and in the afternoon, either a scavenger hunt in a mall, or the game in the park that we were supposed to play on Tuesday.

Till Next Time, Mashiaj Ya!

A Video Of My Camper Dancing to Matisyahu

This Video is taken on the bus coming back from swimming. Over here they dont believe in Only Chasidishe Music in camp. I have nothing to do with it, So don't complain to me. But when matisyahu was playing, one of my campers, age 7, started dancing, i thaught it looked cute, so i got video of it, and put it here.

And More Pictures!

The Camp Picture! (Last week Friday)
My Bunk Picture (First Week)
The Ranchos as they'r called, (Homeless villages)

Levi Rosenblum tying strings by the string hunt. All The Malted Bottles (Cheaper then water! Literally!)
Mivtzoim in Hebraica on Sunday. Bowling in Hebraica Sunday.

Horseback Riding.

A crazy picture caught of me while i'm talking.

More Pictures

In the Indian Caves

The Guards Outside of Camp

Go Karting

Anti American Graffiti

Bussdriver and Jose Fixing the Bus
Shui Wearing the Camp Shirt

The Video From The Magic Show!

The Rest of the First Week

OK, we`re finally getting the hang of things. Wednesday: we went on a trip to The Indian Caves. Because it rained hard the day before, the hike up the mountain was very muddy, but once we got to the cave, (after arguing with the other group that was waiting there, but our reservation was first,) my bunk went inside. Inside these caves, its pretty cool. In some parts we had to crawl on our stomachs to get through. The guide told us how the cave is 100,000 years old, etc. By the time we got back down the mountain everybody was pretty dirty, we went to eat the sandwich lunch. Meanwhile the other bunks got their turn. We were going to go to the little water fall that was in the park, but there was a sign that its contaminated because the sewer pipes empty into it! When we finished lunch, waiting for the other bunks, we did what we always do when we have time to kill: Started a soccer game. when we were all done, we went back to camp.

Thursday: We were supposed to go to play soccer in the park and go swimming, but as some of you may know, there was a Anti Israel/Jewish March in Caracas, so it was safer to stay in camp. At the gates to camp there were some soldiers stationed because of the situation. We got permission to use the soccer court on the grounds. So in the morning we had soccer. After lunch they brought down a Magician, very cute show. One of the things he does, is he stands a kid on a chair, puts a big jacket on the kid that has the sleeve opening from the back. He puts his hands through, and does a couple of tricks that way, and i looks like the kid is doing it. Ill try to put a clip of that part on the site. After that we had a string hunt, the bunk that has the longest string, gets 50 CGI Dollars each. Tzfas, the oldest bunk, won. My bunk, even being the youngest bunk, got third place! (if we would of had time to tie all the strings together, we probably would have done better.)

Thursday Night: We stayed up till three making the newsletter. This Shabbos was the Shabaton for the girls. Next Shabbos is for the boys.

Friday: We went on a trip to Go-Karting. The Go-Karting place is like from 20 years ago. A frame of a car. The pedals are held on with a little bit of wire. The track is also tiny. But, Hey! The kids loved it. So who's asking my opinion. The staff also took a spin. I managed to make a 180, but right after i did it for the second time, the car stalled. Wonderful quality! The kids went twice each. 4-5 kids at a time. The other kids that were waiting were going to play soccer, but we forgot to bring a ball. So Shui called Jose, his driver, to drive the 35 minutes to bring the ball. (Gas costs only $4 for a full tank of Shuis SUV, and Jose gets payed per day anyways.) They gave out the new Camp T-Shirts on Friday. We took a Camp Picture, ill put it on the site soon. Also Shui was telling us, the girls were supposed to go swimming. But when they got there, there was a march in progress, so they just turned around and went back to camp, and found something else to do. (I think they did baking or something.)

Shabbos: Since the girls were by Shui, we ate by a Lubavitcher that lives right here. Shabbos morning was Tehilim at 7am. The only problem was that we didn't know before. So our alarm was for a bit later. We managed anyway. Motzei Shabbos we went to Sinai School in La Florida. They sell Pizza there 3 times a week. (Raitport`s Hechsher.)

That's it for this week. Hopefully there will be more pictures soon.

Some Pics

First Two Days of Camp

The fist day of camp started well. Due to the traffic, and talented bus drivers, we arrived at camp about 9:30. Camp starts at 9. But taking in account the fact that it was the first day, not so bad. Once we had all the campers, or whoever was coming that day, (more came the2nd day, and there will be more in future weeks.) we stopped the football (Soccer) game that had started. We all lined up, said the first 6 Pesukim, and gave the bunks names. Due to the current situation in Israel, we named the bunks after the 4 holy cities in Eretz Yisroel. Oldest bunk: Tzfas. Counselor Yosale Schuchat (,from Caracas). Second to oldest bunk: Chevron. Counselor: Shmary Gurary (,from Israel). Third to oldest bunk: Tveria. Counselor: Shmaya Haskelevitch (,from Russia). Youngest bunk: Moishy Korf (,from France). The three younger bunks already have Co-Counselors (local guys), the oldest bunk didnt get one yet. We Davened, followed by a snack. Then we started a soccer game, just to see how good the kids are. We ate lunch, and then we went... BOWLING!!! Yeah! Trip on the first day! By the time we got back, it was already late. (3:15 or so, camp finishes 3, and the buses are supposed to arrive at the locations by 3:30.) But at the end of the day there were 4 tired counselors, but a bunch of happy campers. So it couldnt be all bad. Head counselor Shmulik Schuchat moved in to the apt. last night. Yosale is coming next week. Since since whole week he needs to take care of the bus going from La Florida (,his Neighborhood). Shmary goes early to take the bus that leaves from San Bernardino (,Rabbi Slavin´s Chabad House / Site of the Yeshiva of old), which then goes to Altamira, our location, and takes the other two guys. Next week the other two will switch with them, etc.The buses here are a story for themselves, which we´ll discuss in day two. Supper by the Rosenblums, we had to serve ourselves, since Shui, his wife, and Rabbi Perman were all busy talking to diferent people! (Hey, cant complaine, Shlichus comes first!)

Day two started on time. As soon as all the buses arrived, we got back on the buses, and went to the park. We lined up, and said the Pesukim. But then it started raining. Shui found out there were some covered picnic tables all the way up the hill, so we went there to Daven and eat snack. (The schuchats later told Shui that they never even knew that those tables existed. And the Camp has been coming here for years! Shui later explained the Inyen of Hashgacha Protis to the kids. That it rained, just so we should go Daven and make Brochos there.) When we finished Davening etc. it had stopped raining. So we went down to the courts, and started the Socer games. This time, divided by teams, Rostov, Lubavitch, Nikolayev and Liadi. (The kids didn't all get the names right, so they called it names like Rosto, Nigolaso etc.) By the time the games were ending, we had to head back to camp for lunch. As soon as lunch was over, we got back on the buses to go SWIMMING! The kids loved it, especially the 3 blown up slides! Then we started back to camp. On the way Shui spoke, as we mentioned. Then Shmulik told the story of the Baal Shem Tov with the leaf. Snacks were served on the bus. On our way the bus was having EXTRA problems, and we broke down. The bus always has problems when this driver drives. Jose, Shui`s chaufer, fixed the bus a few times. and we finally continued. But with all these delays, we had to entertain the kids, so we taught them a song in Russian! (Ochi Chi Slivi...) Whats even more surprising is that they caught on pretty fast! Also it was already late, so we played around a bit with the regular bus schedule. Our bus went straight to Altamira. The Girls and Kiddy Camp, all took the second bus to Altamira. When they got there, all the La Florida kids took the 2nd/Girls bus to La Florida, Jose took the San Bernardino kids in his SUV, and Shui took some of the kids that get picked up, to Hebraica (Our camp). We weren't going to take another chance with this bus. Whoever he was able to, he told to come get their kids from Altamira. Another tiring but nice day comes to an end. And for tomorrow trip to the Indian Caves, we`re getting the other driver (same bus?)

Also the driving over here is quite interesting. Nobody listens to laws. Cars come out of nowhere with no warning, which puts them and others on the road, in danger. Also there are Billboards and Graffiti, promoting Socialism, and calling the US, through the CIA Nazi Imperialists! And we`re told to be careful what we say in the poorer areas of the city, which we might sometimes be in for trips. Some crazy country this is. BTW the exchange rate that we quoted before (2500), is the official Black Market rate. The real rate is 2000, but since its illegal to change bolivares to dollars, its a better rate on the Black Market.Tonight (Tue. night) we ate by the Slavins. It was very nice. Rabbi Raitport was also eating there, which made the conversation more interesting/entertaining.

B`Kitzur, were enjoying ourselves, and it seems like Shui is happy with our work.

Life In Venezuela

Here we don't say "Gut Shabbos", for political reasons! The entire country smells from oil, seriously. Going in the hallway of our apt. building, we smelled it. The people are pretty layed back, to the extent that Rabbi Shui was able to make the same joke twice, ("That we should keep up to our nationality, and its never too late. and even the morning of camp, you can sign up!") and have people laugh both times. (Friday night, and Shabbos day.)

The Shul is gets a nice crowd on Shabbos, as well as 3 Minyanim daily. (Shachris 7 am. Poor us!) The Shul is also half Sfardi, so it keeps everything interesting.The exchange rate is 2500 Bolivares to the dollar!! So now walking around with 100 Grand in your pocket is normal! (and that's in only 2 Bills!)

Also for those familiar with Español, we have to learn the new dialect. With all the Y`s and H`s. But much less foul language. Also using words we never used before, like "Coger". It`s not that hard, just takes a bit of time. Also they don't kiss so much like Argentina, they just put they're hands on the other guys shoulder. The Shul has it`s magnets, one of which writes a column weekly in the newspaper, and published a book of the articles. He gave each of us a autographed copy of the book.

Being that the whole city is in a valley, from the area of the Shul / Our Apt. / The Camp has a beautiful view, down to the city, and up to the mountains. Both by day and night.

That's it for now. Coming soon, Report and photos of the first day.

Shabbos Report

We arrived on Thu. Night, settled in etc. The apt. Is beautiful, Thank You very much Rabino Shui, Couldn't ask for more! Friday we got up a bit late (being that we only got to bed at like 2 am), and were therefore Zoiche to be told off by Rabino Moshe, to try get are Tefillin off asap. (Thank you very much Rabbi Shui for the NEW fans!) We checked out some big store Fri. Afternoon, tried getting a phone, but well have to Wait for Sunday. Friday night we ate by The Rosenblum family. Thank you Mrs. Rosenblum, The food was Delicious! Shabbos day we came EARLY to Shachris. That got us some brownie points. Shabbos day we ate the by the Kiddush. Farbrenged a bit with Rabbi Shui, then took a break till Mincha. Motzei Shabbos we got a briefing from the Rebetzin, Then had a meeting with Rabbi Shui, and The Shojats. So far so good! It looks like a great summer ahead of us! Only time will tell...

El Pibe

Camp is Starting Soon!

The Counselors have arrived!!

The three counselors, (specialists in camps) have arrived in Caracas this past Thursday, and are currently working out the plans of the camp. which is starting IY"H this coming monday. News will come in the days to follow!