NEW YORK (VINnews) — Children attending Camp Gan Israel – Young Shluchim in Russia uncovered what organizers described as a rare antique pocket watch and centuries-old Russian ruble coins while participating in an archaeological excavation at the historic courtyard of the Chabad Rebbes in Lubavitch, according to the Chabad news sites.

The discovery came during a visit to the birthplace of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, where campers joined restoration and excavation work at the site of the original Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva and the former residences of several Lubavitch Rebbes. According to Chabad, the children broke into Chassidic dancing after the artifacts were unearthed.

The items were turned over to Rabbi Gabriel Gordon, who oversees the restoration and maintenance of the historic complex. After a preliminary examination, Gordon said the craftsmanship and quality of the pocket watch suggest it may have belonged to a member of the family of the Chabad Rebbes, although additional study will be needed to determine its origin.

The discovery was one of the highlights of Camp Gan Israel – Young Shluchim, held at the Raminskaya complex outside Moscow and directed by Rabbi Avraham Sachs. The camp brings together children of Chabad emissaries serving Jewish communities across Russia, many of whom spend the school year in remote cities where they are among the only observant Jewish children in their communities.

The camp also hosted a visit by Rabbi Berel Lazar, who founded the camp network. During the visit, he was presented with an original red necktie once worn by Soviet communist youth camps alongside a modern green Camp Gan Israel necktie. the presentation symbolized the revival of Jewish life in Russia after decades of Soviet efforts to suppress religious practice.

Addressing the campers, Rabbi Lazar told the children that alongside the responsibility of serving as children of Chabad emissaries, they should remember the privilege of representing Judaism throughout Russia. He also praised the camp’s educational staff, saying, “The greatest success in shlichus is when people see how we care for our children,”.

Camp Gan Israel – Young Shluchim is one of dozens of Jewish summer camps operating across Russia this summer, bringing together thousands of children for programs focused on Jewish learning, Chassidic values and strengthening their connection to Jewish heritage.