Chabad of Hong Kong recently ran its annual Camp Gan Israel and within it the programme Cool to be Kind. Cool to be Kind encourages kids to be kind and good to others.

Last year, Camp Gan Israel got an appeal from Ari Cohen’s mother in Florida, USA. Since the boy was unable to attend camp as a camper, she asked for Jewish camps around the world to send him T-shirts so that he could feel part of the camp experi-ence. Camp Gan Israel replied and began a relationship with Ari and sent him a Gan Izzy T-shirt, a kippa  and a mascot.

This year they reignited their relationship and asked his mum what could be done for Ari. “She told us that although he was able to go to camp this year with a shadow, he would love to receive some thing from the kids in Hong Kong,” said Goldie Avtzon from Camp Gan Israel.

Since Ari started praying and learning the Hebrew letters in his name, “we decided to send him his very own Ari Siddur designed by the kids in the camp.”

The Siddur was sent to Ari and upon receiving it his mother wrote to Avtzon. “The Ari Siddur came! Oh my Ari is in love with it! It is so heartwarming to see all the kids putting such effort to making this for Ari.

He will treasure it forever! I am now the proud mummy of a boy who just received his first Siddur from Camp Gan Izzy of Hong Kong! Thank you! You guys are our friends for life and will always be in our hearts.”

_{(Issue July/August 2010)}