Sleepaway camp is a unique opportunity to create some of the best summer memories in a child’s life. This month, a heartwarming project sponsored by Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) is enabling 16 bar and bat mitzvah-age children who have lost either a sibling or parent serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to have that special experience. The bnei/bnot mitzvah flew to New York from Israel this past Friday, where they spent the weekend in Long Island, hosted by members of the Jewish community. After an exciting Sunday of touring in Manhattan, they were off to Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, where they spent the week participating in a wide array of activities, including archery, arts and crafts, swimming, boating and more.
This project is part of FIDF’s LEGACY Program, dedicated to supporting and showing appreciation to bereaved families of fallen IDF soldiers. “In many cases, these families cannot afford, or of course are not in the mood, to have a bar or bat mitzvah celebration. This is our chance to give them a bar/bat mitzvah gift,” said FIDF New Jersey Director Howard Gases. “[These kids] are unfortunately going through a terrible situation, whether it is a brother, sister, mother or father that they lost. So they are able to come and celebrate, and get away for a little bit, and do something that they normally would not be doing in Israel. That is our gift to them.”
It’s also a great opportunity because, as Gases explained, “many of these kids were never really with others who are going through the same thing, whom they could talk to, who, unfortunately, share their feelings and experiences of losing a parent or sibling.” This trip gives them the chance to spend time with others who are in a similar situation, and can understand what they are feeling. Also on the trip are four counselors, who were all once campers on the LEGACY Program, and two commanders from the Israeli army.
The trip is fully paid for by funds collected by FIDF through various forums, including fundraising events and campaigns throughout the year and donations via the FIDF website. “It’s a really great program, and it’s one example of how people in the community donate and help support members of the IDF family,” Gases said.
The children will be spending their final Shabbat together in Deal, New Jersey, hosted by members of the Syrian Jewish community there. Plans for the weekend include a pool party on Friday, attending shul and receiving a bracha from the rabbi, and eating Shabbat meals at their hosts’ homes. There will also be a closing party on Saturday night, as they will be flying back to Israel on Sunday morning.
The hosts are eager to have the opportunity to give back to these children whose families have made the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect Israel. “These brave children have been through so much,” said one of the hosts. “We wanted to show them how much we and FIDF appreciate the sacrifices their families have made. Bringing these incredible kids here to make lifelong friends, meet the community and share in the uniquely American experience of summer camp is a wonderful way to help them heal from their loss.”
Sara Tawil, already a four-time host for the program, reflects on past memories as she looks forward to hosting again this year. “We played knock hockey with them, and they loved it. They would challenge me; I would win, and they would play me every time they came back and I would still always win. And then at the last second, when the buses were picking them up, it was a tied score, and the buses were waiting outside, and then one of the boys won. The whole block was so excited! We had a lot of fun with them.”
The time her family spent with the kids was mostly lighthearted and fun, despite the difficulties that they were going through, Tawil explains. “Everyone welcomes them from the neighborhood. They come onto the porch, we have drinks, we usually invite a lot of people over to see them. My grandchildren would come and play with them. They have a good time. Maybe once or twice we end up asking them about what happened to their family, and we start talking about it a little bit, but basically… they really just have a good time.”
When asked what motivated her to continue to host over these past years, Tawil answered simply, “I would do anything for Israel.” She then added that the experience was “so extraordinary.”
“We always say we are going to keep in touch with them, and sometimes we do,” Tawil said. “It’s just a beautiful feeling to know we are doing something for Israel. It’s the least we can do, to show them a good time for the few days that they’re here.”
By Rachel Retter
