Jerusalem, June 24, 2026 — The Jewish Agency for Israel is expanding its Campers2Gether initiative for a third consecutive year, continuing to strengthen connections between teens from Israel and world Jewry through immersive Jewish camp experiences across the globe.

This summer, over 700 Israeli teenagers from communities impacted by war will travel to 34 Jewish overnight camps across North America as part of the initiative. At the same time, The Jewish Agency has also launched a new expansion of the program that will bring about 300 children of long-serving IDF reservists to Jewish seasonal camps in Europe, Latin America, and more, recognizing the unique emotional strain many reservist families have endured since October 7.

Originally launched following the October 7 attacks and continuing amid the current prolonged conflict in Israel, Campers2Gether was created to provide Israeli teens with an opportunity to step away from the stress and uncertainty of war while forming meaningful relationships with Jewish peers around the world. The initiative has since evolved into one of The Jewish Agency’s flagship models for peoplehood and connection, fostering lasting bonds between world Jewry and Israel during an especially difficult period for the Jewish people. Campers2Gether is made possible with support from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation, Wilf Family Foundations, Adnim Foundation, William Davidson Foundation, Zalik Foundation Fund and other donors from around the world.

Since October 7, more than 300,000 Israeli reservists have been mobilized for extended periods of service, placing enormous emotional strain on families and children across the country. The new pilot of Campers2Gether was specifically developed to support children of reservists, many of whom have experienced prolonged parental absence, repeated deployments, displacement, and ongoing instability throughout the war.

Israeli campers participating in Campers2Gether are fully integrated into camp life alongside local Jewish teens, taking part in outdoor activities, communal programming, sports, and informal day-to-day interactions designed to foster authentic peer-to-peer connection. Participants travel in cohorts accompanied by trained Israeli counselors and mental health professionals to ensure a safe and supportive environment throughout the experience.

In addition to providing resilience and respite, the initiative also serves as a powerful educational and peoplehood experience for Jewish teens worldwide. Through direct interaction and shared daily life, Jewish teens from North America and around the world gain a deeper and more personal understanding of Israeli society and the realities Israeli teens have faced over the past few years.

“At a time when Israeli youth have grown up under the shadow of war, Campers2Gether offers them respite and the opportunity to experience firsthand the strength and diversity of the global Jewish community,” said Mark Wilf, Chairman of The Jewish Agency Board of Governors. “At the same time, Jewish teens around the world gain authentic friendships and a personal connection to Israel that no classroom can replicate. The unique bonds formed through shared summer experiences, strengthen Jewish peoplehood and ensure a vibrant, connected Jewish future.”

Many Jewish teens in North America and around the world have had limited opportunities to meaningfully experience Israel firsthand in recent years. International travel disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic were followed almost immediately by a prolonged period of war in Israel that significantly reduced educational and teen travel to the country. As a result, initiatives like Campers2Gether have proven critical as one of the few opportunities for young Jews around the world to build authentic personal relationships with Israelis like themselves and develop a deeper understanding of Israeli society beyond headlines and social media. Through shared daily experiences at camp, participants are able to strengthen a sense of global Jewish peoplehood and connection at a time when those bonds are more important than ever.

Alongside Campers2Gether, a record number of Israeli summer camp shlichim (Israel emissaries) will also travel to Jewish camps this summer, with more than 2,000 Israeli counselors joining camps across North America. The summer shlichim program remains one of the Jewish world’s most significant means of creating direct and lasting relationships between Israeli and American Jewish communities through shared summer experiences, education, and cultural exchange.

The Jewish Agency oversees recruitment, staffing, travel coordination, training, and mental health support for Israeli participants in partnership with Jewish federations, camps, and communities around the world.

Media Contact:
Jake Sharfman, JCubed Communications
Jacob@jcubedpr.com

About The Jewish Agency for Israel:

Since 1929, The Jewish Agency for Israel has been working to secure a vibrant Jewish future. Today, The Jewish Agency acts collectively to strengthen Israel and the Jewish people worldwide—by advancing Aliyah as a core value, deepening connections between our global Jewish family, supporting the resilience and security of global Jewish communities, and encouraging every Jewish person to engage with Israel. The Jewish Agency also continues to be the Jewish world’s first responder, prepared to address the Jewish people’s greatest challenges and respond to emergencies in Israel, and to rescue Jews from countries where they are at risk.