For the past few weeks, since Operation Protctive Edge began in Israel, Yisrael Hatzair together with the International Young Israel Movement (IYIM) have worked to bring a day of quiet and enjoyment to the beleaguered children of Israel’s southern communities. Day trips to attractions and parks located a distance from their home communities, situated mere miles from the Gaza border, have allowed these teens and children to experience—for one day—the summer vacations which were torn from their grasps.
As these children completed their school years in June, they anticipated a summer of fun and relaxation, like school kids all over the world. Instead, their plans were torn apart and filled instead with repeated sirens followed by thousands of missiles and rockets.
Answering this crisis, Meir Mishkoff, president of American Friends of Yisrael Hatzair, working together with Daniel Mush Meyer, director of IYIM, coordinated one-day vacations for the children of Sderot, Beer Sheva, Ashdod, Nir Galim, Bnei Darom, Netivot, and other communities directly affected by the violence thrust upon them. “We felt that in addition to facing terrible danger, these kids were being deprived of any sense of normal summer activities uninterrupted by sirens and races to the shelters,” said Mishkoff. Groups of kids from these communities have traveled to water parks, zoos, amusement parks, and kayaking outings in safer and quieter locations in Israel.
These trips were made possible through the generous donations of supporters throughout the USA. Entire busloads of children were sponsored by Yael and Michael Schreiber of Holliswood, NY; the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates and Camp Al Haderech of Queens, NY; Rabbi Zvi Drizin of Dallas, TX, and The Lipsky Family Foundation of New York.
Yaelle, a mother from Nir Galim accompanying her children to the Zikit Water Park in Maale Adumim, commented that “the kids are looking refreshed and are smiling for the first time in many days” as she thanked the people who made their trip possible.
Those interested in sponsoring additional trips and seeking more information can call
212-929-1525 ext 130 or visit www.iyim. org.il/campaigns/summer-vac.asp.
