Bnei Akiva Teens in Tekoa Raise Funds to Run Special Needs Summer Camp

Bnei Akiva members in the West Bank settlement of Tekoa raised 160,000 shekels throughout the year via community fundraisers and initiatives to operate a summer camp for children with special needs. Their fundraising efforts included activities such as car washes before Passover for local residents to support the camp's expenses.

The "Chen Israel" camp, named in memory of Chen Israel Bloch, a former member who died in a car accident, ran from last Tuesday until Saturday night at Givat Washington in partnership with the At La'asot association. This marked the camp's fourth year, with an expanded program hosting 40 children and involving about 100 Bnei Akiva members who accompanied the children throughout the camp.

Camp activities included visits to an amusement park, bowling, karaoke, a DJ party, trampoline park, and outdoor team-building exercises. Maya Paran, the camp coordinator, said their goal was to increase the scope of the program and provide a powerful experience that would resonate with the children all year.

Merav Shoham-Weinberg, CEO of At La'asot, praised the meaningful human connection formed between the special needs children, who have conditions such as intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, and autism, and the youth volunteers. She commended the Tekoa branch for their year-round fundraising efforts and dedication to maintaining high-quality programming, calling the participants "amazing."