Flatbush Guy

Its called being paranoid. I know a woman who still refuses to fly because she is afraid. She wont even visit her married children and grandchildren who live out of the country!!!

Never heard of this before!!!

Shirt Plus has very good shirts. Also, wait for a sale in Joseph A. Banks.

I have no idea how parents can afford the high tuitions that exist in the five towns or in schools such as Rambam, Yeshiva of Flatbush, etc… Thankfully, my parents and in laws helped us with the purchase of our home.

Far East,

Actually, I do enjoy “chilling.” However, I believe that yeshivos should work out their bein hazmanim that their talmidim could attend camps as counselors. For example, 2 years ago, had yeshiva ended on shiva assur b’tamuz, there would have been an opportunity for me to be a counselor for the first half of the summer and then have less than 2 weeks until yeshiva starts again. Instead, I had about 5 weeks off which precluded me from attending camp at all.

Camps need Bnei Torah to be couselors. Todays children need someone to whom they can relate, and one that can have a positive influence on their lives. The best counselors are the ones that are Bnei Torah, that all the campers can say “Look at my counselor, he is so geshmak and also is a Ben Torah. I want to be like him.” I really believe this. All other programs are nice, but in todays generation, it is imperative for the Bnei Torah to be counselors. This in effect would provide a clean and kosher structured environment for them as well, and a place where they too can grow in learning how to deal with children.

I could not agree more with the original poster. Bochurim who have been elavated during a zman in yeshiva, have such a ‘Prikas ul’ during their one month vacation. Davening at a respectable time?? Forget about it. Learning?? What is that??

If you think I am making this up, think again. It happened to me 2 summers ago. I really wanted to attend camp, as I had done for a number of summers and really wanted to be a counselor. However, the Elul zman that year was starting on August 10th and it was impossible for me to get a job. I was so devastated. I always looked forward to camp during the year, and it really brought out the best in me. I had an opportunity to spend a summer without seeing any chilul shabbos. It was an environment of Kedusha in the highest form. However, I could not get a job and leave two weeks left to the second half. That summer, my friends and I floated. We davened at all hours, sometimes even beyichidus. We went up to Toronto for a few days. Then we spent a few days in bungalows of our friends, barbecuing each night. As I look back, I am disgusted at myself.

BUT THIS HAPPENS TO ALL BOCHURIM THAT ARE NOT IN A CAMP ENVIRONMENT. Even with SEED, there are bochurim floating all over with rented cars, running around as if they are experiencing GAN EDEN. They come back saying that it was great, and that they had a great time. All I hear is about the mansion they stayed in, and the convertible that they drove. And of course no mention of the learning with the baal habatim or the lives they claim were touched by their presence.

What about becoming counselors?? I think that this is the best solution to avoid the pritzus, while at the same time giving of yourself to todays youth who really need us.

You can speak to the director who can be reached at 718-677-0767. Our children are registered already, and they received a memories video of 2010 right before Pesach, keeping them occupied during their vacation. You can ask for a free copy and I am sure they will send you one as well.

In all honesty, as an alumnus of Camp Agudah, yes, Rabbi Lichtman did put in a lot of hard work both in camp and behind the scenes. However, the tremendous Ruach and geshmak that exists in Ruach Country is due to its Head Counselor, Rabbi Kaufman, who is the lev vnefesh of the entire program. The big blow to Camp Agudah will be when Rabbi K decides to retire. May he be gezunt and continue to inspire the hundreds of campers of Ruach Country for many more years.

I learned from Rabbi Kaufman the proper way to be mechanech children, principles which I boruch hashem have inculcated into the chinuch of my own children. Although they are still too young, they cannot wait to one day be a part of a camp that their father always talks about. Yasher Koach Rabbi Kaufman.

I currently have a nephew in Camp Agudah, and that has provided a way for me to receive the memories dvd of each year. It really gives me goosebumps as I see Rabbi Kaufman welcoming everyone the first day with the annual Bruchim Habahim speech or announcing the scores of color war with his classic ‘And the winner was…’ with the same energy as when I was a camper. There are just so many good memories and feelings towards this Machaneh Kadosh, that I firmly believe that this is where a child should be spending his summer. It is an opportunity, if i may dare say, where a child can gain more in these two months than the entire school year; a place where young talmidim not just learn Torah, but LIVE and SEE Torah 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

You can call the camp office at 212-797-8172 to get an application and probably a copy of this years memories video. I personally received a small discount. As our son got older and bungalow colony life got quite boring, we had to send him to camp. Camp Agudah kept him busy from the moment I dropped him off in camp until he came back to the bungalow the last day. The price is more than worth it!!

My son went there, and they are very strict at night- when lights are out, you have to be in your bed or else you get in trouble.