Chabad Jewish Centre of Barrie

Rabbi Mendel Nakkar was born in 1987 and raised in Toronto, Canada, where he absorbed the values of responsibility and devotion to his fellow Jews. He grew along with the community and celebrated his milestones in tandem with those of the community. Rabbi Mendel Nakkar studied in Yeshivah Tomchai Temimim Brunoy, France for his high school years. He furthered his studies in educational institutions in Canada, France, Germany, and the USA. Rabbi Mendel Nakkar spent a year in Cincinnati, Ohio, studying and serving as a mentor for teenage boys in Yeshiva. He received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Zalman Labkowsky in 2010, from the Tomchai Temimim United Lubavitcher Yeshiva in New York. He spent his summers as a successful staff member in the Lubavitch day camp in Toronto. He later served as head staff member of Camp Gan Yisroel in Brooklyn, New York, where he dedicated his summer giving to the campers - many coming from unaffiliated backgrounds - physically, emotionally and spiritually. He volunteered for the Jewish community in various capacities throughout the years: including outreach activities, conducting Shabbatons and Holiday events for youth. For several years, he volunteered as a teacher in ‘Released Time’ – a program that brings Judaism to children attending public school. In addition, he provided private tutoring sessions for boys preparing for their Bar Mitzvah. Moreover, after working several years at the Lubavitch day camp in Toronto (geared for children until age 12), he noticed the lack of a program which caters specifically for graduating campers and teens at large. For this reason, at his own initiative he established (in 2010) the ‘Jewish Teens Zone’ – a teen camp that offers the ultimate fun experience in a Jewish environment. For the following 4 years (2010-2013) he administered, coordinated, and managed the entire summer camp. See more at www.jewishteenszone.ca . All who meet Rabbi Mendel Nakkar are drawn to his warmth and dedication. Rabbi Mendel Nakkar has called upon his extensive background in Jewish knowledge and its inner dimensions, coupled with his innate warmth, charisma and personable nature. Rabbi Mendel Nakkar has charted a path in meeting the needs of the Jewish youth and sharing the infinite wisdom of Judaism with others. Muci Nakkar (nee Liberow) was born in 1989 and raised in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Her parents, Rabbi Mendel and Mimi Liberow, originally from France and Tennessee, respectively, imbued their children with a sense of unconditional devotion to the Porto Alegre community. Muci graduated from Porto Alegre’s Beit Chabad Elementary Shcool in June 2003, proceeded to attend high school in Jerusalem, Israel and then furthered her studies at Shoshanat Yerushalaim seminary in Jerusalem and Bnot Chabad teachers’ seminary in Vienna, Austria. She put her teaching qualifications to use during the following years as an educator of early childhood. As the daughter of the founder and senior rabbi of Beit Lubavitch Porto Alegre, Muci took personal interest in the success of the organization. Empowered with a sense of purpose and devotion to her fellow Jews, she began her career of giving to others at a young age. Muci volunteered for Beit Lubavitch in various capacities throughout the years, including: preparing and running holiday events and programs, Toddlers circle, ‘Lunch & learn’, Hospital and senior visitations, Judaic classes, as well as assisting with Synagogue functions. In December 2010, she married Rabbi Mendel Nakkar. Up until the summer of 2013, they lived in Brooklyn, New York where Muci taught in the Chabad of Midtown Preschool, and Mendel continued his Torah studies and ran various outreach programs. Inspired by the Rebbe's campaign to prepare the world for the coming of Moshiach, they currently endeavor to take part in this crucial mission by reaching out to every Jew in The Simcoe County, providing a wide variety of educational, religious, and social services. Their emphasis is on sharing the treasures of our tradition and affording every Jew the opportunity to experience his or her wonderful Jewish heritage.

​Our Mission Camp Gan Israel in Barrie is dedicated to enriching the lives of children 3 to 13 years old from diverse Jewish backgrounds by giving them a deep sense of pride in their Jewish heritage, through a great camp experience, an array of fun activities, athletics, crafts & field trips. It offers an opportune oasis for children to experience the warmth and beauty of their heritage in a safe, friendly, and warm environment. ​Our Culture Camp Gan Israel is about making children feel welcome and at home with Judaism in a completely non-judgemental environment. It strives to give every camper the opportunity to take part in traditions they might not have had the chance to practice outside of camp, and helps them build meaningful and lifelong friendships, enjoy outdoor adventure and deepen their love of Judaism. Our Staff We take pride in our exceptional staff. All staff members come with a desire to work with children. We take great care in keeping the highest quality staff in the camping profession. This ensures the best possible care, instruction and supervision for our campers. ​ The camp program and schedule is overseen by Rabbi Mendel Nakkar who has 20 years of experience in the camping field and is the founder of a Jewish Teen camp in Toronto. ​Our Divisions Junior Tamim is geared for children ages 3 - 5. This program gives our youngest campers a real summer camp experience. In addition to the familiar centre playtime, circle time, playground time, and crafts, campers partake in special camp workshops and theme activities each day. Junior Tamim activities include Field trips, Sports, Nature, Art, Swimming, Gymnastics, Food art, Baking, Creative movement, Water fun, Music, and more. Tamim is geared for children ages 6 - 11. In our Tamim division, campers enjoy an array of activities, including two awesome trips every week, participate in Jewish themed activities, make arts & crafts, bake delicious treats, play athletic sports, enjoy hot Kosher lunches and snacks, compete in hunts, go swimming and much more! Senior Tamim - CIT (Counselor in Training) is geared for youth ages 12 - 13 The CIT Program is meant to lead the transition from child and camper to young adult and staff member. The program is the perfect blend of tackling camp challenges, gaining leadership experience, and learning conflict resolution, all while enjoying the fun of being a camper. CIT's are placed a t times as assistants in caring for the younger campers, thus preparing and training them to become full fledged counselors in the future. Transportation Contact us regarding transportation options from Bradford and Innisfil.

Tamim is geared for children ages 6 - 11. In our Tamim division, campers enjoy an array of activities, including

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