UPDATE: 3/17/2023

 

Dear Parents,

We have some exciting updates to report on and a reminder that registration is filling up fast and space is limited - hurry and register now here!

As you will see, many of our Head Staff are returning and that is certainly a testament to our wonderful work environment and team-work approach. The secret to Gan Izzy's success is our amazing staff (and that is really no secret anymore :))

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The Search for a New Girls Division Head

One very special individual who will not be returning this summer is our amazing Division Head - Shiffy Abboudi. Shiffy dedicated herself the past four years to CGI and for that we are forever indebted. Unfortunately, due to positive developments in her personal life and career, she is not able to join us this summer. 

We are searching for a new Girls Division Head. Interested parties can reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to apply. 

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Camp Office Welcomes Zelda Lebovitz

We are excited to welcome Zelda Lebovitz aboard as our Office Administrator. Zelda is a camp parent who loves Gan Izzy and is excited to help us succeed. She will be fielding camp calls and emails and assisting with registration and staff hiring. She is always happy to help and can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or you can leave a voicemail on the camp number at 845-634-0951

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Welcome back Rabbi Tiechtel & Boys Division News

We are excited to report that our amazing and talented Rabbi Levi Tiechtel is returning as the Boys Division Head for summer 2023! We will continue to build upon last year's successful boys program in ways that include:

  • Special Trips 
  • Late Nights
  • Added Sports
  • And more activities geared for the boys division

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CIT Girls Division News

We are planning a very exciting program for this year's 6-8 grade girls division. Complete with special trips, training and activities. We are in the process of hiring a CIT Division Head to help lead this important division and hope to have an announcement soon. 

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Welcome Back Lori

We are excited to welcome back our uber-talented and creative Program Director, Lori Gordon! Lori has also been promoted to Assistant Director and we look forward to lots of new and exciting programing for this summer!

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Welcome Back to our Aquatic Director

We are excited to have Bracha Mitzmann, our Aquatic Director, back for another summer! Besides ensuring the safety of our campers in the pool area, and overseeing group instruction, Bracha and her staff will also be available for individualized swim instruction once again. More info on how to sign up will be sent out shortly.

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Daily Transportation

We are happy to report that we are able to provide daily van shuttle service for our camp families once again this summer and that the price will remain the same as last year at $300 per camper per session.

Please click this link for the Transportation Request form. If you've already filled out this form, you will see your answers and be able to change them if you wish. The transportation fee will be added to all those who have answered 'yes' to this form. 

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Staff Applications Open

Gan Izzy is looking for talented, creative, fun and dedicated male and female staff. Junior Counselors are ages 14-15 and Counselors begin at age 16. You can register for staff application from within your UltraCamp account or by clicking here and creating an account. 

Staff that have already applied, will be contacted shortly to setup interviews and next steps. 

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Mini Gan Morahs

We are still working on finalizing our Mini Gan morah roster. We will send it out as soon as it's finalized. 

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We are looking forward to another amazing summer at Camp Gan Izzy and welcome aboard all our new and returning camp families!As always, I am available for questions or assistance. Feel free to call or message and I will get right back to you.Wishing you and yours a beautiful Shabbos and Chodesh Tov!

Sincerely,

Rabbi Simcha Morgenstern

UPDATE: 3/2/2023

 Dear Gan Izzy Families,

As we are in the days leading up to the festival of Purim, where there is a Mitzvah to assist those in need, please read this important update that has the potential to help many families with affording camp tuition.
As costs have risen across the board and added strain has been placed on families trying to afford the basics, camp tuition costs in addition to private school tuition have become an unbearable burden for many families. 

While camp may have been considered a luxury in the past, that is no longer the case. Today, many families have two parents working to support the family and even where that is not the case, a structured summer outlet can be exactly what a child needs to thrive and rejuvenate in today’s stressful environment.

At Camp Gan Israel, we endeavor to help every camper have a dream summer experience, and while we try to give as many scholarships as possible, we cannot shoulder the burden alone. Teamwork is always a better path forward. 

Enter Monsey Camp Fund, a fund started by my dear friend, Chezky Sherman, to help alleviate the cost of camp for many struggling families. Last summer, MCF awarded over $10,000 toward Gan Izzy families alone. This year we are trying to take it to the next level and give parents greater involvement in helping to afford camp in a dignified manner.

There are several options for all of our families: Please note: this is not just for Gan Izzy families and many camps in Rockland are participating in this fundraiser.

Option 1: You are, Thank G-d, able to afford camp without a problem but would like to help other children attend Camp. You can head over to my personal link at https://charidy.com/mcf/rabbimorgenstern and give generously to our camp scholarship fund. You can also share this link with others to give them the great merit of joining in this special mitzvah.

Option 2: You need assistance affording camp. Head on over to https://charidy.com/mcf and click on “Join as a bowler” and create your own page and join our Gan Israel team. (Don’t worry, you will not be bowling, this is just your personal link page.) Share your personal link with family and friends. All funds you raise through your personal link can be allocated toward your camp account and helping your own children attend camp.

Option 3: For boys in grades 4-8. Create a personal link for your son as in Option 2. Then have him solicit family and friends to sponsor his total bowling score for a free and fun Bowl-A-Thon on Sunday, March 12, from 3 - 6 PM at New City Bowl. (See attached flyer for info.) This option is available for any boys and they don’t have to be in camp. Again, the funds raised can be allocated to the general scholarship fund or help your own children afford camp.

Many camps have already raised a very nice amount for this fund and I hope our families will be able to join in this beautiful endeavor and together we can put a smile on every camper’s face this summer!

If you have any questions or require assistance in this matter, please don't hesitate to reach out to me and I'll be glad to assist.

May we see the fulfillment of the verse in the megillah “The Jews enjoyed light and gladness, happiness and honor.” Kein tihiyeh lanu - so may it be for us!

With blessings for a joyous and peaceful Purim,

Rabbi Simcha Morgenstern
Director, Camp Gan Israel of Rockland

2022 Updates

The start of Camp Gan Israel Summer 2022 is only 4 days away on Monday, June 27th!! I can't tell you how excited I am for this summer! Besides being our biggest summer yet (over 300 campers!), we have put together an incredible team and program to outdo all of our past Gan Izzy seasons! 

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT UPDATES VERY CAREFULLY

As always, if you have any questions or concerns please be in touch with me by phone 845-634-0951 ext.104 or email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Looking forward to an amazing summer 2022!

Rabbi Simcha Morgenstern
Camp Director

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Our parent handbook contains all pertinent camp information and can be accessed any time on our website.PLEASE CAREFULY READ OUR UPDATED PARENT HANDBOOK HERE
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Mini Gan Campers Orientation

Mini Gan Campers (Toddler thru entering PreK) are invited to meet their Morahs on Sunday, June 26 from 2-4 PM. Please bring your child's supplies to drop off at orientation, as this will avoid the first day rush. (Please see parent handbook for a supplies list.)

Carpool

Drop off is from 9-9:30 AM and Pick up is from 3-3:30 PM. We have many more campers this year, with G-d's blessings, and it is imperative that everyone follow the carpool procedures carefully. Click this link to see a visual diagram of carpool procedures. Please pay attention and follow the instructions of Joe, our security officer, during carpool. DO NOT EVER PARK IN OR ABANDON YOUR CAR IN THE CARPOOL LINE. 

Transportation

We are very pleased to have been able to provide van transportation this summer. It has taken a tremendous amount of planning and effort but we now have 5 daily routes set up. Please click this link to see your routes and times. 

Early & After Care

Early care is daily from 8:30-9:30am  and After Care is from 3:30-4:30 pm. The early / after care room is in the playroom that is at the end of the building (past the gym). Check your account or contact the office to see if you are registered for early or after care.

Calendar

A camp calendar can be viewed at this link. This is a general calendar and a daily schedule will be sent out for Mini Gan and Gan Izzy as well. 

Lunch Menu

Please find our healthy and nutritious lunch menu attached. You can also find it on our web page by clicking here.

Camp Communication

  • Please address all admin related questions to our front desk at 845-634-0951 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • The best way to stay up-to-date with Camp Gan Israel is via WhatsApp and Email. 
  • You can view our various WhatsApp groups and join them at this link. 
  • Staff contact page is located at this link. 
  • For Mini Gan, Morahs will create class WhatsApp groups to communicate.

Private Swim Instruction

Camp endeavors to teach our campers to swim with whole group instruction. If you would like private lessons after camp (one to one or small group) to help them develop their swim skills at a higher level, please reach out to the camp office at 845-274-2262 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will follow up with you.

Payment

Please take a moment to review your account and make sure the balance is correct. Also, please make sure payment or a payment plan has been setup. If you have not set this up, please contact the front office at 845-634-0951.

You can view and make a payment by clicking here.

Questions or Concerns?

We are available to answer your questions or concerns at any time. Please contact us at (845) 634-0951 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.We look forward to an amazing CGI summer 2021! 

Sincererly,

Rabbi Simcha Morgenstern
Director, Camp Gan Israel of Rockland
O 845-634-0951 x104 | M 845-274-2262

UPDATE: 3/1/2022

Exciting Camp Gan Israel Updates!

Highlights:

  • Registration filling up fast

  • Head Staff & Mini Gan Morahs Announced

  • New for 2022

REGISTRATION FILLING UP FAST!

With Hashem's endless blessings, we have seen record registration for summer 2022. It is only the start of March and already our registration is at 350% ahead of last year! Our Mini Gan is at 90% capacity! What this means is that if you wait until April or May to register there may not be any space left. Hurry and click to register now to make sure you have a spot in the greatest camp on earth!!

HEAD STAFF & MINI GAN STAFF ANNOUNCED

We are excited to announce our All-Star Lineup of Gan Izzy 2022 Head Staff and Mini Gan Staff. We are very confident in our head staff and Morahs (most of whom are returning) and are looking forward to a stellar summer!

Head Staff
Lori Gordon - Program Director
Chana Kaufman - Health Director
Shiffy Abboudi - Girls Division Head Counselor
Rabbi Levi Tiechtel - Boys Division Head Counselor
Bracha Mitzmann - Aquatic Dirctor

Mini Gan Lead Morahs
Chanie Reisner - Toddler 1
Neetu Mathai - Toddler 2
Atika Klein - Nursery
Miriam Gilden - PreK
(With possible additions due to high demand)

NEW FOR 2022

Boys Divsion Head hired for separate program starting in 3rd grade and up. Male counselors with programing and activities geared for boys.

New Trips including Extreme Energy, Urban Air, Boulders Game, Monster Mini Golf, Humdingers, and more!

Late Night and Trip to Orange County State Fair for the Pioneer and Masmidim groups.

Exciting New Specials and in camp entertainment! Including Jungle Dave Magic Show, Wonderspark Puppets, Inflatable water slides & more!

If you can't tell, it's only March 1st but I am revved up about summer 2022 already!! Please don't hesitate to let me know if you need assistance with registration. I am always happy to help you give your children the best summer experience ever!

Sincererly,
Rabbi Simcha Morgenstern
Director, Camp Gan Israel of Rockland

UPDATE: 2/8/2022

Excited to announce our All Star 🤩 head staff for summer 2022!!!

Rabbi Simcha Morgenstern - Camp Director Extraordinaire!

Lori Gordon - Camp Whiz & Program Director!

Chana Kaufman - Health Director & Keeping our campers safe!

Shiffy Abboudi - Veteran Camp Star & Girls Division Head Counselor!

Rabbi Levi Tiechtel - New for 2022! Boys Division Head Counselor & Awesome Guy!

Bracha Mitzmann - Aquatic Director & Swim Instructor aka. boss at the pool!

Preschool Morahs to be announced shortly along with new and exciting trips and programming for 2022!!

Camp Registration continues at a record pace! Only a few slots left in the Mini Gan! Hurry to Register and make sure your child has got a seat on the most rockin' & rollin' Gan Izzy yellow submarine!!!
Register Now at: https://www.ultracamp.com/clientlogin.aspx?idCamp=926&campCode=H0u