ICEJ Sponsors Camp to Help Evacuated Israeli Youths Recover
By Nativia Samuelsen, ICEJ AID Administrator
In the blink of an eye, Hamas militants turned the lives of Israeli children and teenagers living near Gaza upside down. One day, these teens were attending school, forging their identities, and enjoying time with friends. The next day, they found themselves amid chaos and carnage as rockets bombarded Israel and armed terrorists infiltrated their neighborhoods. The traumatic impact of these experiences on evacuated Israeli youths is immeasurable. They wrestle with deep emotional scars of loss, confusion, fear, and anxiety. Coping mechanisms vary. Some withdraw; others deal with depression or anger. Therefore, it is crucial to provide them with the support and resources they need to stay resilient and recover in these troubling times. At the ICEJ, we are committed to supporting initiatives that build inner strength and foster healing.
Galim Youth Village
One such social aid project is a respite camp for evacuated Israeli youths hosted in the Galim Youth Village near Haifa. In a recent visit to the camp, our AID team saw how the camp operates and brought Passover holiday gift packages for 110 youth and their families, courtesy of Christians in Singapore.
The visionary who initiated the camps for evacuee youth, Saray Cohen, greeted us. Hamas kidnapped ten of Saray’s family members into Gaza. After that harrowing experience, she knows how difficult these days are for evacuee families. (Thankfully, all her family members were released but one, and we hope and pray for his swift return.) Not one to sit and do nothing, Saray dreamed of providing respite camps for youth impacted by the war where they could have some good old-fashioned fun with friends that would be healing and strengthening for them.
“These children all knew each other before the war,” Saray explained to Nicole Yoder, ICEJ Vice President for AID & Aliyah. “They were classmates and best friends. But after October 7, they were scattered across Israel. Through this camp, they can finally be reunited.”
“The first day of this camp was filled with joy, yet it also was tinted with the realization that their world had changed irreversibly,” she added. “Despite the beauty of their reunion, there remains a deep, lingering sense of loss and longing for what once was.”
Dog Therapy
We met the teenagers as they were heading into a dog training session. Each beautiful pedigree dog barked eagerly as they were matched with two teenagers. This activity taught responsibility and sensitivity. But most importantly, the dogs brought comfort and therapeutic relief. After receiving their dog, the teens went to a field with dog training equipment scattered about. Then a local trainer gave them instructions. As the teens ran across the field with their dogs, taking them through various training activities, their voices filled the air with excited calls to their newfound furry friends.
Maya, one of the camp’s dedicated social workers, explained that the goal for each activity is to nurture the children and bring some sense of joy. From a bowling night to these animal therapy sessions, the activities help these youths process their experiences. Additionally, group counseling sessions with bonfires and the warmth of shared meals create a safe space for discussion and reflection. This allows the youth to work through their emotions and build strength for what comes next.
Your generosity enabled us to sponsor this camp and invest in Israel’s youth, which are the future of this nation! Please support our continuing outreach to Israel during this difficult time by giving to our Israel in Crisis fund.
Donate today at: www.icejusa.org/crisis