Orphans of Fallen Soldiers Find Solace in Shared Experience
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Children who lost fathers in the IDF and security forces are finding community at the "Otzma" camp for orphans. Since October 7, over 1,000 new orphans have joined, and the camp offers a space where they don't have to explain their loss. The children share memories and the challenges of growing up without their fathers, while appreciating the understanding they find among peers and staff. The organization aims to help them feel like children first, not just orphans.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Over 1,000 new orphans have been added since October 7, with many attending the "Otzma" camp.
- Children at the camp find comfort in a shared understanding of loss and can be "regular kids."
- The camp environment helps children feel less alone and more like children than orphans.
- Many staff members are also IDF orphans who have returned to guide younger ones.
- The children express a desire for genuine support rather than pity or platitudes.
- The "Otzma" camp is organized by the Widows and Orphans Organization of the IDF and Security Forces.
Children who lost fathers in the IDF and security forces are finding a sense of normalcy and belonging at the "Otzma" camp, organized by the Widows and Orphans Organization. Since October 7, over 1,000 new orphans have joined the ranks of families mourning fallen soldiers. The camp provides a unique environment where these children, including Avitar, Noga, Yahli, Gaia, Alona, Yaela, and Emilia, no longer feel like outsiders for having lost a parent.
At the camp, they share stories and memories, finding comfort in the fact that everyone understands their experiences. Yahli, 10, recalled a family camping trip with her father, Major (Res.) Yaakov Nadlin, who insisted on building a sukkah despite difficult conditions. Avitar, 13, spoke of his father, whom he considered his best friend, expressing regret that he didn't stop him from leaving on Simchat Torah. Gaia Ish Shalom, 14, learned survival skills from her father, Master Sergeant (Res.) Tom Ish Shalom, but now finds such activities bittersweet without him.
For Yaela and Alona Russo, their father, Major (Res.) Uri Russo, was the family's chef, and they are now learning to recreate his recipes. Emilia Fibnev, 8, lost her father, Master Sergeant Igor Fibnev, who died by suicide about 18 months after fighting terrorists on October 7. She cherishes memories of singing with him, a joy that was silenced for days after learning of his death.
The children have had to mature quickly, taking on responsibilities previously held by their fathers. Avitar helps his mother with shopping and household tasks, feeling a need to be a responsible figure. However, they also express a longing to return to being carefree children. The absence of their fathers is a constant presence, particularly during holidays and everyday moments like returning from school.
Eyar Eliyahu, manager of the young orphans department, emphasizes that the camp aims to let children be children, not just orphans. The staff, many of whom are also IDF orphans, foster an environment of understanding and mutual support. The children appreciate that at camp, they are not the single orphan in a classroom but part of a group where everyone shares a similar loss. They dislike pity and prefer simple gestures of support, like a hug, over platitudes. Gaia noted that while she can joke about her father, others should not.