Bereaved Israeli children find solace at Woodmere shabbat retreat

In an effort to turn tragedy into relief, 24 Israeli children who lost fathers or siblings in the war in Gaza spent a week at a summer camp in Pennsylvania, followed by a weekend with host families in Woodmere Aug. 16-18.

The Friends of Israel Defense Forces, which is based in New York City, hosted its first-ever Legacy group for bereaved shomer Shabbos — Sabbath observing — children in Woodmere. The eight counselors who accompanied them are former campers in the FIDF Legacy Camp program who are currently serving in the IDF. Camp Stone, in Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania, is a Jewish camp that encourages aliyah, or emigration to Israel.

“When they were thinking about which community to bring these kids for Shabbos, the Five Towns was a perfect fit,” Stephanie Feit, the FIDF’s associate director for Long Island, said. The organization’s Greater Five Towns South Shore chapter planned and organized the weekend for the children.

Saritte Silvera, Young Israel of Woodmere’s liaison with FIDF, helped build a relationship between them and plan a special experience for the children.

“I just thought it was a way to give back and help fellow Jewish people,” Silvera said. “I spoke with the shul rabbi and president. They were all enthusiastic about hosting, and then it was just a matter of securing hosts.”

Silvera found hosts who live near Young Israel of Woodmere, so they could walk to shul with the children on Aug. 17.

“Everyone I spoke to said yes immediately,” she said. “It’s a very warm and caring community that just wants to help and do good things, so that was very, very easy.”

The kids were welcomed at YIW on Aug. 16, with swag and an ice cream truck, and met their host families. They spent Friday night with the families, getting to know them and learning about the community.

On Saturday, YIW held a special service for the children, led by Rabbi Eliyahu Wolf, and afterward hosted them at a luncheon. Later that day, Tali and Eli Neuberg hosted a meal for the kids at their Woodmere home. After Shabbat, the children and their hosts went bowling at Woodmere Lanes, joined by other members of the community.

“Shabbos with the FIDF Legacy Camp was truly a wonderful experience for all,” Silvera said. “The bonding between the campers, staff and their host families started at Friday night dinner in each host’s home, and continued throughout Shabbat. All of the family hosts had offered to help and give these children a beautiful Shabbat, but in the end we all felt like we received something so special in return. We all had so much fun together, and felt like we had new family members by the time they left Sunday morning.”

Their weekend concluded at a concert by the Israeli singing star Omer Adam in Great Neck, where Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman met with them.

“It’s nice for them to be able to have an enjoyable experience amongst people who understand what they’re going through,” Feit said. “They come back home with a joy they didn’t have before, and it’s so special to hear that.”

The FIDF funded the children’s camp experience. Malky and Jay Specter, of Woodmere, who helped form the FIDF’s Greater Five Towns South Shore chapter 16 years ago, noted how happy the kids were despite the trauma they are enduring.

“My husband and I went to the bowling at Woodmere Lanes on Saturday night, and to see them laughing and smiling during this tough time was beautiful to see,” Malky Specter said.

She explained that she grew up in a Zionistic home — in which the focus was a Jewish state in Palestine — attended the FIDF national dinner on Long Island for many years, and wanted to create a chapter on the South Shore.

“We’re very proud of the community, and hope new people will step up to the plate,” she said.

To get involved in the chapter, reach out to Stephanie Feit at stephanie.feit@fidf.org.