More than 100 children and teenagers who lost a parent or sibling during the Israel-Hamas War are participating in a special therapeutic summer camp organized by the Koby Mandell Foundation. The camp, held at the Nahalat Yehuda Youth Village in Rishon Lezion, offers these bereaved youths an opportunity to breathe, connect, and find solace in shared experience.
“They lost what is most precious to them, but here they find friends and hope,” said Eliana Mandell-Brenner, CEO of the Koby Mandell Foundation. “This camp is much more than a vacation. It is a moment of healing and of repair. Especially when it comes to the children of the Iron Swords War, this is the first time we are holding a camp dedicated just for them—and it is a mission.”
The foundation, which has been operating for more than two decades, was established following the murder of 13-year-old Koby Mandell and his friend Yosef Ishran. It provides emotional support, summer camps, workshops, and enrichment activities for bereaved children and their families. Each child is given personal, continuous support aimed at building emotional resilience and long-term coping tools.
A place of healing, even when the country is at war
Despite concerns that the camp would be canceled due to the ongoing security situation, including renewed anxiety sparked by the recent war with Iran, the foundation proceeded with the program. “The decision to hold the camp was made out of deep belief in the urgent need of these children for a safe and inclusive environment—especially now, when their world is still shaken and sensitive,” the organizers said.
“This is the place where my children can enjoy themselves and feel a sense of belonging, and where I can breathe a little and regain strength,” said one mother.
Before the children arrived, a full day of staff training was held for counselors and group leaders. Each group of about 20 campers is assigned a volunteer counselor, a group coordinator, and an emotional therapist who runs group sessions and supports the children throughout the week.
Opening day included an outdoor festival with inflatables, food, sweets, and introductory games. Later, the children participated in dog therapy, which allowed them to build trust, express emotions, and enjoy safe, comforting physical contact. “A dog understands you even when you are silent,” one girl said.
On the first day, an opening fair was held with inflatable games, food, sweets, and icebreaker activities. These were followed by therapeutic dog-assisted activities, allowing the children to form connections with dogs and through them express emotions, build trust, and experience safe and supportive touch. “A dog understands you even when you're silent,” one participating girl said.
As the week progressed, the children enjoyed laser tag, swimming, therapeutic robotics workshops, a trip to iJump, and emotional and therapeutic sessions tailored for bereavement, including during Shabbat.
According to the staff, the camp provides a space for the children to remove their emotional masks and feel truly understood. “These children carry pain that can make them feel alone, but here, with others who have gone through similar experiences, they feel truly seen,” said one emotional support coordinator. “Meeting with a group of equals, guided by professional adults, helps them process—and grow.”
Fourteen-year-old Hadas Nitzan, whose brother Gilad Nitzan was killed in combat early on in the war, described the unique emotional environment. “During the day we enjoy ourselves, play, and have fun with each other, but at night we sit and talk and each one shares their personal experiences,” she said. “One girl said she was having a hard time because of her brother who was killed, and as a group of friends we tried to think together how to help her, how to make it easier for her.
“When you're here, at the Koby Mandell Foundation camp, people understand you more,” she added. “I can speak with my psychologist and participate in treatments about my difficulties, but here it's different. I talk with kids who’ve gone through the same things I have.”
Sixteen-year-old Adi Malek shared a similar feeling. “You’re not weird here—they understand you. Everyone understands you here. There can be really fun moments, but there are also emotional lows. But we’re all here for each other. In a single moment, your whole life changes. If it weren’t for the Koby Mandell Foundation, I wouldn’t see a reason to keep going, to enjoy life, and to live.”
She added: “When I talk to a child who has had a similar experience, I don’t need to explain everything I’ve been through. There’s this sense that people look at you differently, that they’re careful around you because you’re a bereaved sibling. Here, everyone is in the same situation together.”