Cousins Ofri and Dor, both 14, lived in Metula until the war broke out in Israel. Their families each left for safer locations, causing the teens to go through several periods of transition, creating upheaval in their academic and social lives, and taking a mental toll on them as well.
“I was born in Metula and lived there for 12 years,” said Ofri. “When the war broke out in 7th grade, all my friends were evacuated to hotels in Tiberias, but my family moved to the town of Nirit. I started school somewhere new, where I didn’t know anyone.”
For Dor, his family went through a long journey of relocations, staying with a family friend in Hadera for a week, then moving to a hotel in Tiberias for a month, then to another hotel for two more months. After that, they went to Kibbutz Kinneret, then the family moved to Rosh Pina for six months, and eventually, they moved to Kibbutz HaGoshrim.
Finally, two months ago, Dor moved back to Metula with his dad, while his mom stayed behind in HaGoshrim. Meanwhile, Ofri remains displaced. Fortunately, Dor and Ofri both heard about The Jewish Agency’s Campers2Gether program through the community center in Metula.
Campers2Gether supports Israeli youth impacted by the horrors of October 7 and the ongoing war, boosting their resilience through the summer camp experience. Launched by The Jewish Agency in 2024, the program provides young Israelis living in the shadow of the conflict a healing respite like no other as they form powerful connections at Jewish overnight camps around the world and get a chance to truly be kids again.
“We’re cousins born on the exact same day, just 20 hours apart. We were used to spending every single day together. And during the war, we only saw each other three times,” explained Ofri. “This camp? It brought us back together.”
“I was hoping to meet new friends and discover a new environment, to have an opportunity to get a little breather from Israel,” Dor added. “Before coming, I thought maybe the Jewish community here didn’t really know what’s going on in Israel. But I was wrong — they care. They really do follow what’s happening and want to stay connected.”
“And I felt Campers2Gether would also be an exciting opportunity to meet new people, learn about American life, and share what it’s like living in Israel,” reflected Ofri. “I shared my story with my host family here — really shared it, for the first time. Saying it out loud made me realize just how much I’ve been through.”
