A 12-Year-Old's Inspiring New Journey at Winter Camp

Last week, over 90 Jewish Ukrainian children without a religious background gathered for the 8-day 'Yeka' Winter Camp in the snowy Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine. The campers had the chance to pray, join Torah classes, and partake in l'chaim gatherings.

Twelve-year-old Denis, one of the campers, shared with the Chabad website: "'Yeka' camp means the whole world to me. The current situation in Ukraine and at home is pretty tough, and being at the camp gave me a chance to connect with my Jewish heritage, to feel proud of being a Jew, and to forget my worries," he said.

Campers at the camp. Photo from the global Chabad site

Each day, the campers enjoyed Chabad-organized activities, including skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and mountain hiking. For the boys from Ukraine, it was an amazing experience. "For the boys of Ukraine, 'Yeka' is more than just a camp – it's home," said a staff member.

But the highlight of the week was the bold decision of one camper. As the camp ended, one camper underwent a brit milah and asked to be called Yosef Yitzchak. When asked why he chose this name, he explained: "My counselor at camp is named Yosef Yitzchak, and he truly inspires me. He's someone I look up to and learn from, so I decided to adopt his name," he said.