Concerned about your kids in Israel?

March arrived this week and with it the promise of spring and, inevitably, thoughts of Passover. For most women the Passover holiday conjures up a myriad of stresses: from getting the house ready to the endless shopping and cooking.

Even those who go away and don’t “make” Pesach can find the holiday preparations daunting. But for women with children living in Israel the holiday’s approach frequently brings about additional challenges and emotions.

At a time of year when most families come together to celebrate – when siblings slide back into their comfy childhood roles and when cousins, who may not live in the same neighborhood, reconnect and enjoy quality time together ¬– those women whose families are divided by thousands of miles are often overwhelmed by feelings of sadness, pain and even abandonment.

They dream of having their family under one roof. They miss their children and grandchildren living abroad. And yet, if they make the decision to take the trip overseas to spend the holiday with these children, invariably other offspring, elderly parents and extended family will be left behind.

Moms whose children live abroad are often emotionally drained, frequently juggling responsibilities, schedules, finances and their attention. These are the women who find camaraderie and strength in a new networking group recently formed at the Marion and Aaron Gural JCC in Cedarhurst called O.K.A.Y. – Our Kids Abroad in Yisrael.

O.K.A.Y. was launched last month at the JCC to meet a growing need in our community. As more of our children discover that the love we as parents instilled in them for Eretz Yisrael is a thirst that can only be quenched by a commitment to living in the land of milk and honey, we are seeing a noticeable trend in newly married couples, young families and even singles making that bold move to establish a home in the Holy Land.

“We gave our children a genuine love of Israel, we prayed that we would raise them to become independent adults, but when they actually pick up and move there we are devastated,” one mother said at the initial O.K.A.Y. meeting in February.

Although each woman who found her way to the O.K.A.Y. meeting had a different “story,” the frustrations and sentiments shared by the group were familiar to all. “Most of us are proud of our children; some of us are even convinced that they are doing the right thing. We are excited for them as they embark on this new chapter in their lives, but it doesn’t mean it’s easy,” said another O.K.A.Y. mom.

The purpose of the group is not to complain or feel angry – although who better than another mom in a similar situation to understand those needs? – but to share experiences, lean on one another, offer advice and exchange practical tips and resources. For example, shipping packages to Israel in a reliable, reasonable method is a subject looking to be explored.

O.K.A.Y. holds its next meeting on Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at the JCC at 207 Grove Ave. Call (516) 569-6733 ext. 222, or email rachayle.deutsch@guraljcc.org for more information. Please join us.