Kangarusski kids camp – Russian, Jewish, Zionist and Australian
The second annual Kangarusski Day Camp has brought together thirty primary aged children for a three-day program of cultural, educational and leisure activities which explored both their Jewish and Russian roots.
Zionist Federation of Australia’s Russian Speaking Jewish Community department Kangarusski is engages with community members from Russian speaking backgrounds with Jewish and Zionist activity and events.
Alex Ryvchin
Kangarusski staff offered the participants a safe and enjoyable environment with relevant cultural and educational activities over the three days; they learned together and they played together. They participated in Krav Maga and a drama workshop focused on: “What does Russian-Jewish mean to me?” They participated in a Chamsa making workshop and “Shalom Israel” –an Interactive activity.
Alex Ryvchin joined the group at Our Big Kitchen to bake challah with his daughter: – “It was so wonderful to see children born to Russian-Jewish immigrants so at ease with their ‘Russianness’ and so in touch with their Jewishness,” he said.
The final program of the camp was a beautiful Kabbalat Shabbat activity. Parent, Rina Binder-Kucko, was touched by the experience: – “Memory is such an important part of our Russian and Jewish heritage and to see our kids playing together reminds me so much of my younger days. I feel like there is continuity in our tradition.”
This sentiment was echoed by Kira Kless: – “Thank you for creating these unique experiences for the kids. My son had a very special time at Kangarusski Kids Camp. We thank you and look forward to coming back and attending other Kangarusski events.”
ZFA Kangarusski presents events and activities for adults, youth and families as well as children. The ZFA is the key partner of Limmud FSU, a festival of culture and learning taking place in Sydney on 17 – 18 September. See http://limmudfsu.org.au/en for more details.
For more information on upcoming Kangarusski events please contact Anna Maylis on anna@kangarusski.org.au or follow the Kangarusski Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Kangarusski/?fref=ts
wow… a hop skip and no jump ahead of the rest… where were the Joey’s for the kids to cuddle up too??? Not much of a Kangarusski camp without the kangaroos! Poor kids missed out.