During these days of summer vacation, thousands of children from all corners of the Russian Federation gather for 'camps' in dozens of locations, at all levels and all ages.
At the center of the 'camps' is 'Camp Gan Israel - Young Shluchim' - for the children of Shluchim in the country, located in the pastoral 'Raminskaya' complex in the suburbs of Moscow.
The camp, run by educator Rabbi Avraham Sachs, celebrated a historic closing moment this week.
It was during a visit by the founder of the Camps, the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, to the camp grounds, when he was presented by Rabbi Yossi Lipsker, director of educational institutions in Moscow - a unique gift: an original red 'Chalutz' tie from a century ago, which was used in the summer camps of the communist regime that tried to uproot religion, and alongside it a new green tie bearing the symbol of the Hasidic camp - living testimony to the triumph of the Jewish spirit and tradition.
The highlight of the 'camp' days was an exciting journey to the cradle of Hasidism, the town of Lubavitch. After prayer and awakening sessions in the tent of the Rebbe, the author of 'Tzemach Tzedek', and his son, the Rebbe of Maharash, they continued on a tour of the town's historical sites.
The trainees participated in a special project of archaeological excavation and exposure work, taking place in the courtyard of the Chabad Rebbes - the courtyard where the first yeshiva, 'Tomchei Temimim', was established and founded, and in the compound where several generations of Lubavitch Rebbes lived.
During these works, a real treasure from the past was suddenly revealed: a luxurious and rare pocket watch, alongside ancient ruble coins that were buried in the ground.
The discovery sparked immense excitement among the children and staff. The rare finds were handed over to the person responsible for the restoration and maintenance of the holy places and the director of the Chabad house in the town of Lubavitch, the emissary Rabbi Gabriel Gordon.
After an initial examination of the items, Rabbi Gordon noted that the level of finish and prestige of the watch indicate with a high degree of probability that it belonged to one of the family members of the Chabad Rebbes.
