NJY Camps & Machane Am Echad entertain 110 at-risk Israeli Scouts
“It’s like a dream,” was the overriding sentiment among the 110 Israeli teens from Israel’s war-torn northern and southern borders who participated in NJY Camps 10-day Machane Am Echad/One People program among the sparkling lakes and mountains of the Poconos, less than two hours from New York City.
Tzofim from Israel who participated in the “Campers Together” program at NJY Camps. (Photo courtesy NYJ Camps)
Not only did these young Israelis get to spend time on the usual activities of a Jewish summer camp, but they were also awed at Times Square, tried to understand baseball at a New York Mets game, and got to seeing “Hamilton,” the hottest show on Broadway. All in all, a major respite from their challenging day-to-day lives in Israel.
“I don’t think I’ve ever a part of anything quite so moving,” said NJY Camps spokesman Will Eastman. “This was the best.”
Initiated by NYJ Camps, the largest Jewish camping organization in the world, Machane Am Echad/One People, partnered with the Hebrew Scouts, also known as the Tzofim, Israel’s coeducational Scouting network, with the global assistance of the Jewish Agency and Mosaic United.
The Scouts were brought to the U.S. under the joint Israeli program called “Campers Together.” All the campers and counselors were Tzofim chapter members from as far north as Kiryat Shmona down to the southern Israeli towns of Sderot, Okafim and Ashkelon.
“This was kids from the north and the south. It was Mizrahi, Sephardi, Ashkenazi, Ethiopian – we had religious kids (and) secular kids – and they were kind, appreciative and respectful and so unbelievably deserving of this opportunity,” Eastman added.
“These children have been living in constant uncertainty for almost a year,” said Yaniv Biran, CEO of Tzofim North America. “We have kids who lost loved ones in the tragic events of October 7, and most of them have friends and family still fighting in this war and this is very present, even while in camp. They are all still waiting for our hostages who are held by Hamas in Gaza to come home. This camp is their opportunity – after almost a year – to be children again and forget, even for a brief moment, about their fears and trauma.”
Elad Gabso, a social worker from the Tzofim organization who accompanied the group, said that while the campers “enjoyed every minute of their time at camp, they still worried about their families, friends and the hostages that need to come home. They are aware of every attack as they all have cell phones. The time difference between the U.S. and Israel is helpful and gave them time to relax.”
Tzofim at the conclusion of a full day of activities. (Photo courtesy NJY Camps)
“While the challenge of war still persists, we believe that by bringing children together for an immersive educational camping experience, we can help them thrive, build resilience and introduce them to new activities they can learn from and enjoy” said Michael Schlank, CEO o f NJY Camps. “Through the power of Jewish camping, we aimed to provide respite and strengthen the bond between Israel and global Jewry as Am Echad/One People. In November 2023, we approached our Israeli partners with a plan and as a result over 1,000 Israeli children partook in similar camp experiences throughout the U.S., with the NJY Camps program being the largest.”
Liza, a 17-year-old camper from Kirya Shmona, has been living in a hotel in Tel Aviv with her family for 10 months noted, “We will all carry back the amazing feeling of caring that we experienced in the United States wherever we went. I would like to say thank you to the Jewish community for the opportunity to do and see things we would never be able to without camp. And we wish we could bring Cinnabon back to Israel with us!”
