The Jewish children's summer camp is a celebration for children, an opportunity to get together with their contemporaries from other cities and countries, to learn more about the history, customs and traditions of their people. And of course to rest and re-energize.

This year Jewish children from Vilnius, Kaunas, Panevėžys, Siauliai, Riga, Daugavpils, Tallinn and Tartu were once again invited to attend the "Olameinu" children's camps. This fourth session brought together 150 children aged 7-12 in the first shift, and 250 children aged 13-17 years in the second shift.

There were 22 madrich working with the children. These young people attend a 2 year course at a madrich school, and work for at least a year in children's groups. Prior to the start of a shift the madrich get together to share their experiences and to prepare and develop activity plans.

The first shift was held at the Nemenčinė tourist resort, a picturesque site not far from Vilnius, with beautiful surroundings and a large clean lake. There was a lifeguard in attendance during swimming activities, and a doctor available for the children on both shifts. There was also a 24-hour camp security service.

The children learn a great deal during their activities with professionals: they were taught singing for the 2nd year in a row by the celebrated Israeli singer Uri Zer, and dancing by Sergej Rosentzveig from Riga, and by Karina Lambert. Ivan Nanjanov, a scouting program instructor from Bulgaria, was once again in charge of athletic and performance art activities.

The main educational theme for the first shift was an introduction to Jewish traditions and customs. The children learned prayers after meals (birkat a-mazon), and Jewish ecological requirements; they also celebrated the Sabbath.

The first shift was divided into several groups for performing mitzvah, during which we visited the elderly. This was important not only for the people we visited, but also for us, because children are obliged to assume a responsibility for the older generation.

The children from the first shift also experienced a unique history lesson while honouring the memory of the Jewish people who were executed at Paneriai.

There was a very enjoyable outing to a Vilnius bowling club, where we have a good rapport with the helpful staff.

The older, teenagers' shift attended their fourth session at the "Tauras" resort near iauliai.

Their main activity theme was Jewish culture, which includes sports, art, music, cuisine, cinema and literature. The madrichs organized activities in a way that would apply what the children had learned. For example, after a lesson on Jewish cuisine, the madrichs explained the meaning, history and importance of keeping kosher.

An outing to iauliai introduced the children to this city. A memorial ceremony was held in Kuîiai, site of the execution of Jews from the iauliai ghetto.

A group from Latvia performed Tears Fall Silently Here at the iauliai theater. The children were moved to tears during the performance, and on their way back to camp passionately discussed the play and its various episodes.

The teenagers enthusiastiacally joined in a night war game. Two days before the game, the madrichs turned the camp into a "military base", and imitated an attack by the "enemy". The children "defended" the camp until 5:00 a.m., and won. The games ended with a celebratory firework display.

The children made new friends and had a good holiday. We trust that their new found knowledge and friendships will help them on their path through life.

We would like to thank the regional communities for their assistance in organizing the camp shifts, and especially the iauliai Jewish community and its chairman Boris Stein for his great help in solving many of the organizational problems. Thank you to the Lithuanian Jewish Community and its chairman Simonas Alperavičius, and to his assistant Maàa Grodnikien«, who always trusts and helps us in any way that she can.

Financial support for the camps came from JOINT, and from the LA Jewish Community Federation - in particular 20 specific families who helped us for the 4th year in a row.

This year 45 teenagers also attended the Sarvash children's camp financed by the Lauder Foundation.

Our sincere thanks to all of those who care for our children.

Anna SOLOMIAK.

Newspaper of the Jewish Community of Lithuania “Jerusalem of Lithuania” 2005.