Rabbi Chaim's Blog

The weather is an interesting subject. Everyone loves to talk, or more correctly complain about it, but nobody can actually do anything to change it. 

The Swedish summer seems to be out of sight, but it will surely come. And you all know that when it finally comes, there is nothing like it. I never figured out why so many people leave in the summer, when it’s so nice. But never mind, it’s not the only thing in life I still didn’t figure out. 

Often we’re asked how we ended up in Sweden. I usually joke that our “mistake” was that the first time we came to visit Stockholm was in the summer. It was absolutely fantastic! The sun was shinning almost all day (and night), the people were outgoing and friendly and the city was beautiful. But when we moved here we found something completely different, it was as if we landed in another city. It was January…

But now the summer is coming so let’s stay focused. Gan Israel day camp offers children who stay in Stockholm during July a unique opportunity to enjoy the summer in a Jewish atmosphere. Under the care of professional and devoted staff they will play, go on trips, swim, have sports and much more. Most important of all, they will enrich their Jewish knowledge and identity. With two daily meals and loads of fun activities children just love Gan Israel. Camp will run this year during weeks 26-28 (June 28 – July 16).

They say that numbers are the best proof of success. Gan Israel started in 2003 with 14 campers; last summer we were over 50 children. There is a month left to this year’s camp and about 40 children are already singed up! Make sure your child is also part of it.  

For more information and for registration visit www.ganisraelkollo.com or contact us at 08-679 7067 or info@chabadstockholm.com. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Passing Jewish values onto the next generation is certainly challenging in a rapidly changing world. Raising children to love and embrace Jewish values is no easy task. Come and listen to Doron Kornbluth, noted author and lecturer, who will speak in Stockholm on Sunday May 16 as a guest of Chabad and Judstud, the Jewish Student organization.

“The Jewish Family in the 21st Century: The world has changed, shouldn’t we?” will fascinate and inspire students, parents and grandparents alike who will find great interest in this lecture.

This is an open event but please email info@chabadstockholm.com if you are planning to come so we can get organized accordingly. Admission fee is 70kr and includes light refreshments. 

Date: Sunday May 16, kl. 16:00
Location: Sessionssalen, Wahrendorffsgatan 3A

On Sunday we celebrated Lag Baomer with an outing and BBQ attended by 180 Israelis and Hebrew speakers. It was definitely a memorable afternoon with great weather, good food and wonderful company. Special thanks to Amos Ozeri, Chezy Sasy and Eran Lifshitz for their help. Click here for a beautiful photo gallery. (Thanks to Jonas and Julia).

Snow flakes in the end of April? Is it spring or winter? Perhaps it’s also the Icelandic volcano’s fault. It’s just amazing to see how fragile and instable our planet is. one mountain in a remote location can cause such chaos all over the world. But sometimes some good can also come out of such events.

Last Friday night we hosted for Shabbat dinner some 10 Jews who were stranded in Stockholm due to the flight stop. They came from Latvia, France, England, Holland, Israel and the USA. Although they had good reasons to be upset being away from their home and families, we had a great time together. As if we were old friends we enjoyed the Shabbat spirit till late at night. It was so nice to see the friendly Jewish brotherly love.