Swimming, scaling a climbing wall, singing songs, playing basketball, laughing, and acting silly: It is all part of a typical summer at the uniquely American experience of summer camp. But for some Israeli kids, it is all that and more. Since 2003, Israeli children have attended the B'nai B'rith Beber Camp in Wisconsin or the B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp in Pennsylvania; all expenses are paid through B'nai B'rith's Camp Passport program. The program allows Israeli children between 10 and 16 who have been directly affected by terrorism to recapture a bit of their childhood. Children who have lost family members in the wars against Israel are also eligible.
In Israel a staff liaison carefully selects each child to ensure that they can handle the separation from home. B'nai B'rith pays all tuition and travel for the campers and arranges for a special counselor to travel with the children and be part of their camp stay.
Summer camp, a rite of passage for many American kids, takes on a more important context when Israeli children take part. Through the program, the Israeli campers realize there are American Jews who love and support Israel. And the American campers find out what life in Israel is like for their peers.
B'nai B'rith spends $5,000 for each child in the program. Generous donors make Camp Passport possible. For more information about donating to Camp Passport, click here. Donations can be made directly to Camp Passport by clicking here.
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