Jewish Agency Hosts Children of Israeli Reservists at Global Summer Camps for Respite from Conflict

Around 1,000 Israeli youths, including approximately 700 from northern and southern Israel and 300 children of reservists, participated this year in a unique resilience program organized by the Jewish Agency. The initiative offers these young people a break from the ongoing security tensions following the October 7 attacks, allowing them to connect with Jewish communities worldwide through summer and winter camps in countries such as Greece, Italy, Austria, and Germany.

This program builds on the Jewish Agency's Campers2Gether initiative, launched after Operation Iron Swords, which has been running for three years. It brings together youths from Israel's northern and border communities with Jewish peers abroad, fostering a sense of belonging, mutual responsibility, and emotional support. The camps provide educational, social, and sports activities, helping participants form personal connections and strengthen their resilience.

Notable participants include Noga from Kibbutz Snir and Adi from Kfar Blum, whose families were directly affected by the conflict and evacuations. They described the experience as meaningful, enabling them to reconnect with Israeli friends and meet Jewish youth worldwide, reinforcing their identity within the global Jewish family.

Jewish Agency Chairman Doron Almog emphasized the emotional toll on reservists' families and the importance of these camps in allowing children to simply be kids while bonding with Jewish peers globally. CEO Yehuda Stone highlighted the camps' role in helping children feel part of a larger community, turning mutual support into a tangible, personal experience across borders.