AUGUST 31 • 2023 | 31

Magic is happening at The Shul-Chabad 
Lubavitch’s Camp Gan Israel. The camp’s 
adorable Kiddy Campers took a walk to 
Jewish Senior Life’s Meer Apartments 
where they were each paired with a res-
ident “grandfriend.” They spent an hour 
getting to know one another, singing, 
shaping challah and more. 
It was hard to tell who enjoyed it 
more, said Itty Shemtov, The Shul - 

Chabad Lubavitch’s educational director. 
“Both the kids and the grandfriends 
had ear-to-ear smiles, made to feel so 
special in the company of one another,” 
she said. “It was an absolutely beautiful 
experience to witness.”
There are more dates to follow with 
this program for people ages 4-104 to 
build on the relationships that were 
formed. 

COURTESY OF THE SHUL

The Shul Preschoolers 
Make Grandfriends

Lysie leads the group in a 
fun get-to-know-you game 
and music and singing.

Ilene and Raffi 
Mendelson love taking 
a picture together on 
their special day.

Alice and Talya and are having a 
special conversation before they 
went to make challah.

Nina prepares the kids with their 
camp shirts before going to meet 
their new grandfriends.

Dolly and Rochel Shemtov take 
some time to do an activity to 
get to know one another and the 
things they both like to do.

