First time in Moscow: unique camp for deaf Jewish children

Yehoshua Sodkpf, a studious yeshiva student, is apparently another one of the thousands of Chabad yeshiva boys in the world, but something is different in him: Yehoshua is deaf since birth twenty years ago, and yet, he lives a full and demanding chassidic life.

Yehoshua owes his spiritual and physical life to the Chabad emissaries who since he knew him, did everything to enable him to lead a happy, normal and ordinary lifestyle. For years Yehoshua feels that he must repay the moral debt, and when the chance came up he joined with glee.

It was the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Hgr"b Lazar, who turned to him with a special request: Within the network framework of "Gan Yisrael" camps in the CIS countries, it operated by the "Federation of Jewish Communities in Russia" for thousands of Jewish children, it was decided to address this year, even for children with hearing and speech disabilities. Yehoshua Sodkopf was asked to manage and organize this special camp.
For about three full weeks of Jewish content and fascinating attractions, the ca,p was held and attended by deaf children from all over Russia.

A wide-ranging campaign preceded it which included introducing it to parents and their families.

Yehoshua spared no effort and spent his time with the wonderful assistance and professional staff, both in the physical and spiritual part, with most participants experiencing for the first time, Shabbos, prayers, kosher meals, and more.
Anecdote not soon to be forgotten was the bar mitzvah boy Alec Yekoblov from Petersburg celebrated at the camp. The Bar Mitzvah joy with the Aliya L'Torah and tefillin were held after thorough and proper preparation of the team when the tefillin were received as a gift!

The Association of Jewish Communities of Russia are hoping that after days at the crammed and fascinating camp, these special campers will return home with Jewish pride and with great spiritual content, positively impacting them and all their families.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!