Hundreds of Children from Sderot Enjoying Summer Camp
Hundreds of children from the beleaguered town of Sderot are finding urgently needed rest and relaxation in a special summer camp program under the auspices of Chabad of Sderot. The program is being directed by Rabbi Zev Pizem.
The people of Sderot suffer greatly from ongoing Qassam rocket attacks fired from nearby Gaza. In fact, a recent study has revealed that fully 71% of the children of Sderot experience severe post-traumatic stress symptoms due to prolonged exposure to terrorist attacks over many years. The need for these children to have even a small amount of time away from the continual stress is critically important.
Just being away in the countryside has helped to restore calm and balance to the children’s lives. They are able to run and play without continually being concerned about when the next rocket will be fired, and where it will land.
When registration was opened for this summer camp program, Rabbi Pizem and his staff were overwhelmed at the number of applicants. Parents came in droves to sign up their children knowing the importance of such a program.
The program includes a broad range of regular summer camp activities supplemented by special programs to help the children cope with the emotional stress they suffer and to help reinforce their spiritual strength.
Included in the programs are arts and crafts, sports activities of all sorts, challah baking, trips to various recreational areas throughout Israel, boat rides, a trip to the Biblical Museum, and much more.
The grateful parents, seeing the extraordinarily positive effects of the camp on their children, pleaded for the program to please be extended. Chabad of Sderot were able to do so and expanded the program to three weeks to give the children the maximum benefit.