An Unforgettable Experience for Children; A Lifeline for Their Parents
When vacation begins, that’s when Ezrat Achim gets even busier.
This is true throughout the year. On Yom Kippur and Erev Pesach, during chagim and school vacations —
when the children are home, that’s when Ezrat Achim’s dedicated staff and volunteers work overtime to
ensure our city’s children with special needs have a loving place to spend their days – and their parents
have a much-needed break, as well as the chance to care for their other children.
And now during the summer? For 250 excited children with special needs in Beit Shemesh, it’s camp
time!
Ezrat Achim’s beloved annual two-week summer camp is currently taking place, running every day from
ten in the morning until five in the afternoon. The camp is extraordinary in many ways: in its campers –
250 children with a wide range of disabilities, including children on ventilators and with complex medical
needs. Also, in its counselors: Ezrat Achim has a team of hundreds of dedicated volunteers, who devote
their time throughout the year to caring for the children with special needs in our afterschool care
centers. At camp, each child receives one-on-one support from a volunteer, who has built a close
relationship with the child throughout the year.
Yet, what is perhaps most unique is that, in many ways, Ezrat Achim’s camp is just like any other camp:
The singing, the activities, the energy, the ruach! When these special children step into Ezrat Achim’s
specially-equipped facilities, they are transported into the magical childhood summer experience called
camp.
Each morning, after arriving via organized transportation, the children are greeted with singing, smiles,
and warm hugs. Fresh meals are prepared in Ezrat Achim’s own kitchen and served by our volunteer
counselors. Swimming pools, inflatable bounce houses, arts and crafts, singing, dancing, and musical
performances fill every moment of the day, with every activity individually designed according to each
child’s age and abilities.
In addition to our daily activities, our camp will once again feature special shows by performers from
across Israel– each bringing their unique style and approach to delight, inspire, and bring laughter to the
children. And, alongside the children’s entertainment, Ezrat Achim organizes special appreciation events
for the volunteers themselves, giving them chizuk to continue their vital work during the summer and
throughout the year.
Our goal is simple: to give these precious children the happiest summer imaginable.
This camp—run in true Ezrat Achim style—shows the incredible impact we can have when we reach out
with a full heart to help our neighbors and our community. These special neshamos truly are the heart
of chesed in Beit Shemesh.
