Twenty-eight children from Israel who lost a parent killed while serving in the country's security forces participated in a three-week delegation to North America as part of the IDF Widows & Orphans Organization's annual Bar/Bat Mitzvah program.

The journey began in Chicago with a weekend hosted by local families, followed by nearly a week of activities at Camp Chi in Wisconsin alongside American children. The group then traveled to New York City, visiting Times Square and attending a Broadway performance of The Lion King, before continuing to New Jersey.

The trip provided these children, many traveling internationally independently for the first time, an opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds and levels of religious observance. Elbaum, a representative of the organization, said this experience reflects their entry into the covenant with the Jewish people in a tangible and meaningful way.

Although not designed as an initiative to combat antisemitism, Elbaum emphasized that fostering a strong Jewish identity, pride in Israel, and solidarity with its people are among the most important ways to help American Jews confront antisemitism.

One participant shared, "It’s not hard to tell people, but it’s not easy either. Once you’ve said it, you don’t know how others will react or treat you. That night, it felt safe to open up, and nothing has changed in the way they treat me since."

Another said, "Now that I came, I think I will continue taking part in these things after meeting new kids, feeling comfortable around them and understanding that we experienced the same things."

A young orphan honored his father’s memory, whose father, Yosef Saleh, served in the IDF before joining the Israel Police and was killed in the line of duty in 2013.

The trip also highlighted the diverse makeup of Israeli society, with one participant noting, "I met a lot of people here who don’t know about the Druze. We serve the country, we love our country, and we even die for it. We pay the same price as everyone else. Most terrorists in Israel are Arab, but because we speak Arabic and serve our country, it’s a bit of a twist."

Participants expressed appreciation for the experience, with one saying, "It feels refreshing to come to a new country and experience fun things here," and another sharing their motto: "My motto is that life is always going to continue."

This delegation took place amid ongoing challenges faced by Israel, including recent revelations of Hamas terrorist planning before the October 7 massacre and accounts from freed hostages detailing abuse and starvation during captivity.

Sources