As Oholei Torah continues celebrating its Shivim Shana, we are excited to share a remarkable piece of our history: an original radio commercial promoting the Oholei Torah Day Camp from more than fifty years ago.
The recording offers a nostalgic window into an era when the Rebbe encouraged making the most of the summer months by providing children with meaningful chinuch in a warm, positive environment.
Responding to that vision, Oholei Torah expanded its day camp to serve hundreds of children from across New York City, many from families who had few opportunities to experience a Jewish summer camp. At a time when Jewish day camps were far less common, an extensive transportation network brought campers from neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn, Queens, and even Washington Heights.
Operating from the spacious Brooklyn Jewish Center building, which Oholei Torah began renting in the early 1970s, the camp proudly promoted itself as offering children an unforgettable summer rooted in Torah, Yiddishkeit, and joyful experiences.
More than half a century later, that same mission continues. Today, Oholei Torah’s summer programs provide over 750 campers in day camp and over 350 bochurim in overnight YKP with a true yeshiva camp atmosphere, filled with meaningful learning, exciting activities, and countless opportunities for growth. Programs such as the popular Father and Son Sunday learning program continue to strengthen the connection between parents and their children while reinforcing the values that have guided the camp for generations.
Along with the historic recording, we are also sharing a collection of archival photographs from those early years. We hope they bring back wonderful memories and perhaps help identify familiar faces among the campers and counselors.
If you attended Oholei Torah Day Camp in those years, or have photographs, memorabilia, or stories to share, we would love to hear from you. As we celebrate seventy years of Oholei Torah, every memory helps tell the story of the generations of children whose summers were shaped by its unique atmosphere of Torah, Chassidus, and joy. Please send all photos or stories to [email protected].
Enjoy this special journey into the past.
