NEW YORK โ Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) is hosting 242 bereaved Israeli children and teens in the United States this summer as part of its renowned Legacy Camp and Travel Programs, providing a lifeline of connection and healing. The initiative aims to help participants process grief and rediscover moments of happiness after suffering the loss of a parent or sibling during military service, or the ongoing captivity of family by Hamas since Oct. 7, 2023.
This yearโs program is the largest to date, reflecting the scale of loss caused by the October 7 attacks and subsequent war. The initiative is split into eight groups, each journeying through major U.S. cities, including New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and rural Pennsylvania. The first cohort, consisting of 54 teenagers, landed in New York on July 5 and completed an 11-day journey filled with recreational activities, visits with host families, and emotional support sessions. Additional groups continue to arrive through the summer.
The youths are accompanied by currently serving IDF commanders and counselors who themselves lost loved ones as children and once participated in the Legacy Program. These mentors, together with social workers and psychologists, create a unique support network tailored to the needs of grieving youth.
โThese trips offer bereaved children the chance to simply be kids again, while forming bonds with others who truly understand their pain,โ said Michal Herchcovitz, FIDF Head of Delegations. โThese children have endured unimaginable heartbreak. Seeing them laugh, smile, and feel embraced by American families makes a lasting impact.โ
The Legacy Camp and Travel Programs are part of FIDFโs broader $28 million effort to support bereaved families and children, including nearly 700 orphans and thousands more who have lost siblings or spouses since October 7. The camp experience allows these young people to build friendships, enjoy moments of laughter, and experience life outside the shadow of grief.
โThe most powerful part of this program is not the places they visit, itโs the people they meet,โ said Sharon Sheffer, FIDF Associate Director of Programs. โThese kids return to Israel having developed lifelong friendships and knowing they are seen and supported by people in the United States.โ
This summerโs program notably includes relatives of hostages still held by Hamas, extending support to families enduring ongoing uncertainty and trauma. FIDFโs mission is to provide a path to resilience, healing, and communal solidarity, reinforcing the Jewish and Zionist values of responsibility and care for those who bear the cost of defending Israel.
This article is based on verified information from FIDF, The Jerusalem Post, JNS, Jewish Link, and official statements from FIDF program leaders and participants.