Monticello, N.Y. — Camp Rav Tov, a summer camp for boys, contains dilapidated and run-down basketball courts and baseball fields – and the campers don’t mind at all.
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The camp for Hasidic boys ages 9-13, located on the grounds of the former Kutsher’s Sports Academy, focuses on education over sports for its 3,000 campers reports The New York Times (http://nyti.ms/1mmymG5). Life at Rav Tov (meaning “lots of good”) offers Torah and Talmud study more than six hours a day, study of iconic Jewish sites and a trip on the anniversary of Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum’s death to his grave in Kiryas Joel.
Rabbi Teitelbaum himself stated that those who grow up playing ball would play ball as adults.
“When the boys are here nine weeks, they’re away from all the problems of the city,” said Yoel Landau, the camp manager. “The drugs, the busyness, the heat. Here they can study. Their head is more relaxed. That’s why Rabbi Joel made this camp.”
Rav Tov first leased the property in 2008 and now owns it. It is one of seven camps run by one of the two Satmar divisions. The Aroynem, which operates Rav Tov, also operates Machne Bais Rochel D’Satmar, a girl’s camp for about 2,200 campers in South Fallsburg.
The Zaloynim have their own camps.
But it’s not all hard work and no play at Rav Tov. The boys do swim, hike, play Frisbee and have races.
Information taken from The New York Times
“Rabbi Teitelbaum himself stated that those who grow up playing ball would play ball as adults.” Hashem Yishmor!!!
So good to see these boys up here! My brother lived it up in Rav Tov every summer.
I’ve seen some adult Satmar members play ball this past week. I shudder to wonder what they would be playing now as adults had they played ball as kids…
Sure! i went to one of these camps….not everyone is meant to learn but EVERYONE needs an outlet…..i cant write here what goes on in these camps! hashem yishmur
Mr Rov said that those who learn when they should be playing, end up playing when they should be learning.
As far as i know Rabbeinu Yoel did not start the camp in Kutschers. In fact it wasn’t even the Beirach Moshe that did. I believe it was the person that took the Beirach Moshe to court.
Sorry, but the camp looks very unkempt.
These kids need to learn how to play competitively, sports would help them get the exercise they need to become healthy adults.
To all those who don’t like their system I have one piece of advice. You don’t have to send your kids there. Some people need something to complain about.
Youth begets many joys. I hope the kids get to laugh and have a good time. Sounds like they get to swim. Unless youth has no pride, cussing can definately be left out! Have fun, kids!
98% of those kids end up on welfare. A waste of time
To a woman that asked how come he allows the boy to play ball rather than read or listen to music R’ Leizer Geldzheler Z’L responded ” With ball I can see what they’re doing with reading and music I can’t”
Last week I bought a ticket to fly to N.Y. next summer. I was told, the old Kutschers was being made into a casino and I was so excited. I guess I’ll have to learn Toirah all day.
Where do they get gelt to attend this camp since their parents are on welfare?
If there is a problem at the camp, are they permitted to tell their parents? In camp Dora, parents weren’t notified until the next day.