Torah, Tennis, And Teens

Featured News

Written by Rochelle Maruch Miller

Thursday, 02 June 2011 11:32

Even when Julian Krinsky was garnering acclaim as an international tennis star, the pintele Yid was burning brightly deep within his soul. Originally from South Africa, the charismatic former tennis star and acclaimed tennis coach was ranked number 7 in his home country and played at Wimbledon, the French Open, and the Italian Open, as well as at the Maccabi Games in Israel.

But for all his professional accomplishments, there was something pushing the tennis icon to give back to his community. After learning of his great great-grandfather, Rabbi Yehoshua Yitzhak Shapira, widely known as Eizel Charif, and his outstanding love for Yiddishkeit, Julian wanted to inspire Jewish youth so that they, too, would love their heritage.

Born in Lithuania in 1801, Eizel Charif was a child prodigy. By the tender age of nine he had already learned the entire Talmud and knew the entire treatise of Jewish law by heart. Reb Eizel became one of the most important Torah luminaries of his time and authored numerous works on Jewish law and texts, including one of the most important commentaries on the Jerusalem Talmud ever written, Noam Yerushalmi. And despite the myriad hours he devoted to Torah study and writing, Reb Eizel was renowned for the communal and charitable activities he undertook in whatever community he lived in. The deep respect and honor of bearing such a cherished legacy propelled Krinsky to give back to the community, in the tradition of his venerable ancestor.

Which is precisely what inspired him to found Yesh Shabbat. Providing world-class educators and courses within a positive Jewish framework are the two pillars of Julian Krinskyâ€™s Yesh Shabbat. Attracting tweens and teens from all over the U.S. and abroad, the highly-acclaimed, premiere pre-college summer camp has become a nonprofit organization. It is Julianâ€™s desire to give back to his community that is the motivation for this change of priorities.

â€œWhen I learned about my lineage and the impact my ancestors made in the Jewish world it made me realize my responsibility to the Jewish people,â€ Julian said. â€œI started Yesh Shabbat and established it as a nonprofit organization to give Jewish students a sense of Jewish identity and the same opportunities afforded to other teens in sports and summer programming.â€

Julian Krinskyâ€™s Yesh Shabbat overnight camp redefines the summer camp experience, and helps teens develop their personal talents and skills through a schedule they build for themselves. Students choose from an array of challenging programs in which they can channel their personal interests and passions into a fun, constructive, and growth-oriented summer.

All of Yeshâ€™s programs offer a unique and diverse selection of courses which will satisfy even the most eclectic tastes. The high school enrichment program includes courses in business, music, cooking, and fashion design, but also offers a broad range of minor and elective classes from photography to fencing, mathematics to video-game design. Similarly, Yesh offers an Xploration program that provides instruction in fields ranging from debate and public speaking to the martial arts. Hip-Hop, team sports, art, engineering, creative writing, and many other options are all offered at Yesh to provide for the diverse skills and interests of todayâ€™s students.

Yesh also offers a sports program in which students may choose to attend the Julian Krinsky School of Tennis, School of Golf, or School of Basketball at Haverford Collegeâ€™s state-of-the-art facilities.

At Yesh, Shabbatâ€™s enchanting and powerful aura is palpable. The atmosphere, tefillot, Shabbat meals, and zemirot combine to create a unique Shabbat experience that infuses each new week with inspiration.

Indeed, a vital component to the Yesh experience is the warm, nurturing, family-like atmosphere that conveys a deep appreciation and love for Judaism within a Shomer Shabbos and glatt kosher environment. Through observing halacha, fully engaging in Yeshâ€™s chesed program, and delving into our shared heritage with Torah-related discussions and seminars, Yesh helps prepare students for future success and imbues them with a seep love of Judaism.

â€œWhat is really special about Yesh is the combination of a traditional, observant community with the challenging and fulfilling courses provided to campers, perfectly balanced with daily tefillah, Torah learning, and chesed activities to give the campers a well-rounded experience in all areas of their lives,â€ Mr. Krinsky explained.

â€œAfter attending Yesh, I feel a strong connection to Judaism that lasts me throughout the year,â€ said Arianna Breslauer of London, England. â€œShabbat is a beautiful experience and my friends from Yesh all relate to my enhanced Jewish identity.â€

Yesh Shabbatâ€™s program for Summer 2011 includes a huge range of sports, arts, and educational courses, all of which are taught by professional teachers and instructors within a Shomer Shabbos, glatt kosher environment. Through teaching children to value both their rich religious heritage and the importance of contributing to modern society, Yesh Shabbat hopes to foster another generation of Jewish children who will contribute to the world around them while maintaining their religious identity.

To learn more about Yesh Shabbat, please visit www.youtube.com/jkyeshshabbat.