How One CKids Camper Is Inspiring Jewish Pride Across Pittsburgh
Thanks to a CKids grant, two summers at CKids Gan Israel Florida gave a Pittsburgh teen the confidence to lead and share the joy of Yiddishkeit. Now shluchim can pick up CKids grants of their own at the CKids canteen during the Kinus.
by COLlive Editor · COLliveEvery Friday, outside a kosher grocery store in Pittsburgh, a 15-year-old CKids camper can be found helping Jewish men put on tefillin. Often, he brings along friends from his Jewish high school, teaching them how to encourage others to connect with their Jewish identity.
Just two years ago, that same boy didn’t even know what tefillin was.
His name is Abi Zablow, and his journey from knowing little about Yiddishkeit to becoming an enthusiastic ambassador of Jewish pride began with a summer at CKids Gan Israel Florida.
Abi’s story began when Rabbi Levi Plotkin, director of CKids Gan Israel Florida, received a call from Rabbi Yitzi and Rebbetzin Miriam Goldwasser of Pittsburgh.
They believed Abi would be an excellent fit for camp. Although he had little connection to Yiddishkeit at the time, they recognized his potential and felt that the overnight camp experience could make a meaningful difference in his life.
There was just one obstacle: his family could not afford the tuition.
Thanks to the generosity of CKids Gan Israel international donors, Abi received a scholarship and was able to attend.
When he arrived for the summer of 2023, something special happened.
From the very first day, Abi embraced every aspect of camp life. He sang, danced, and approached davening with focus and excitement.
The camp counselors were quick to notice his enthusiasm. Soon, Rabbi Plotkin’s phone was filled with messages, pictures, and videos documenting Abi’s excitement.
“Check out this kid!”
“He’s drinking in the Yiddishkeit!”
“Unbelievable energy!”
Abi had found a place where he felt at home.
But when the first session ended, his excitement turned to heartbreak. Having registered for only one session, he had to return home while the other campers continued into the second session. He desperately wanted to stay, but it simply wasn’t possible.
Still, the experience had left a lasting impression.
The summer of 2024 could not come soon enough.
Determined to return to camp, Abi did everything he could to make it happen. This time, he wanted to attend both sessions. Once again, donor-funded scholarships made it possible.
Abi returned to CKids Gan Israel Florida with the same enthusiasm, ready to learn, grow, and experience Jewish life to its fullest.
He immersed himself in Torah, mitzvos, davening, singing, and dancing. During camp trips, he also joined his counselors in mivtzoim, putting tefillin on Jewish men and encouraging them to connect with their heritage.
The true impact of Abi’s camp experience became increasingly apparent after the summer of 2024.
A few months later, Rabbi Plotkin received an unexpected message from his brother-in-law in Pittsburgh.
“Did you have an eighth-grade kid from Pittsburgh in camp this summer?” he asked.
“Yes,” Rabbi Plotkin replied. “Why?”
“This kid’s making WAVES!” came the response.
Attached were photographs of Abi standing outside a local kosher grocery store, surrounded by friends and helping other Jewish men put on tefillin.
The camper who had joined his counselors on mivtzoim was now leading mivtzoim of his own, taking the initiative to inspire others and organizing his friends to join him.
For the CKids Gan Israel team, Abi’s story is a powerful reminder of what one summer camp experience can accomplish.
It’s much more than just activities, trips, and summer memories. The right Jewish environment can give a child a sense of belonging, the confidence to lead, and the inspiration to share the joy of Yiddishkeit with others.
Over the next few days at the Kinus, Merkos 302 will be distributing hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of vouchers to any shliach who stops by the CKids canteen.
Because every community has its own Abi waiting for a summer to ignite his soul!
CKids Canteen – Kinus Hours
- Wednesday: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The CKids Gan Israel overnight camps are independently run by their respective director Shluchim.
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