After the attacks on October 7, 2023, Guy, 14, and his family were evacuated from their home in Eshkol Regional Council to a hotel in Eilat. Later, they bounced between staying with friends in Tel Mond until finally settling in a rented apartment.
“At first I studied in Eilat, then in a temporary school in Tel Mond,” Guy explained. “I managed to fit in, but it was hard to leave everything I knew behind. When we finally came back home, it was a mix of joy and sadness. I had to say goodbye to a community I’d started to feel part of.”
Guy learned about The Jewish Agency’s Campers2Gether program through school when they handed out flyers in his class. Campers2Gether was founded in 2024 in order to increase resilience and strengthen connections for teens most impacted by the Swords of Iron War by providing them with a powerful and healing summer camp experience. Guy immediately understood it was a great opportunity, with all of his friends wanting to participate too; nearly 100 kids from his grade signed up.
“I was so excited for the adventure – to meet new people, to be in the U.S. At the same time, I was nervous about being far from home and without a phone. But the staff embraced us with care, and we felt safe right away,” shared Guy. “It was one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had, and I learned that there are so many different kinds of Jews; it was eye-opening. I made new friends, laughed nonstop, and I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be.”
Guy was sent to Camp Ramah in California, where everyone openly and warmly welcomed the Israeli teens. And during his weeks at camp, there was a special program facilitated between the Israeli teens and the American campers where the Israelis got to answer questions the American teens had come up with.
“It was very emotional,” Guy remembered. “We answered questions about what we went through, about being displaced, about the war. It mattered to them to really understand. Suddenly, we, the Israeli teens, were the ones telling the story firsthand – not through the news. We felt they were truly listening.”
Coming back to Israel after the summer wasn’t easy, but Guy returned home with newfound friends and connections, and a deeper appreciation for the little things.
“Two values that guided us at camp – gratitude and learning – are still with me, but my heart stayed a little bit in the U.S.,” reflected Guy. “I’m happy to be home, but a few more days there wouldn’t have hurt…That camp was a gift. Beyond the fun, it’s an amazing experience that connects Jews from Israel and the U.S. At its core, it’s about love and giving, and I think a lot more Israeli teens should get the chance to be part of it.”
