Azrieli Mitzion Hosts Summer Camps for Hundreds of Children with Special Needs Across Israel
Azrieli Mitzion organized summer day camps for hundreds of children and young adults with special needs across Israel, including Jerusalem, the north, the south, and Elad. The camps provided personalized support, rich activities, and comprehensive care, staffed by hundreds of volunteers, medical teams, and logistical coordinators. Each participant often had a dedicated personal aide throughout the day.
In Jerusalem, the flagship camp in the Beit Vagan neighborhood hosted about 350 children supported by 500 staff members over eight days. The daily program included creative workshops, social activities, animal shows, drumming, and performances, with meals accompanied by music and dancing. Transportation was arranged daily to bring children from their homes.
After a year-long pause due to wartime events, the southern district camp resumed in Netivot, accommodating 85 participants aged 3 to 45. The academic college Hamdat generously provided its facilities free of charge. The five-day program featured themed days such as a chocolate workshop, animal encounters, water activities, and a family day with a festive closing ceremony. A full logistical and medical support system, including an ambulance, was in place.
In the north, a week-long camp in Kiryat Shmuel, Haifa, served 126 children from across the region, supported by 150 volunteers. A special day trip was held for 550 cancer patients and their families to the "Balagan" amusement park in Kibbutz Yagur, offering a joyful break from medical routines.
Elad hosted a five-day camp at the "Rashit Chochma" yeshiva, which provided its premises free of charge. Fifty children participated alongside 70 volunteers, enjoying tailored sensory and creative activities. The city’s mayor and welfare department actively supported the initiative.
Rabbi Chananaya Cholak, chairman of Azrieli Mitzion, emphasized the camps’ importance as a vital support system for families and children with special needs, calling the efforts a "rescue" for parents. He praised the extensive preparation and the dedication of volunteers who made the camps a week of light, joy, and meaningful experiences for participants.
