Each group is led by currently serving IDF commanders who themselves lost a loved one as children and once participated in the Legacy Program.
This summer, 242 bereaved Israeli children and teens are traveling to the United States as part of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces’ (FIDF) Legacy Camp and Travel Programs, aimed at helping them heal from the loss of a loved one who died in service to the IDF.
This year’s delegation includes youth who lost a parent or sibling while serving in the military, as well as several relatives of hostages still held in Gaza since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.
The program, divided into eight groups, gives participants a chance to find joy again, connect with peers who have experienced similar loss, and feel the support of Jewish communities in the U.S.
The first group of 54 teens landed in New York on July 5 and just completed an 11-day tour of the Northeast, marked by cultural outings, group activities, and home hospitality from FIDF supporters.
Seven additional groups will arrive throughout the summer, with visits planned to Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Pennsylvania.
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) is welcoming 242 bereaved Israeli children and teens to the United States this summer through its signature Legacy Camp and Travel Programs, an experience built on helping teens to process grief and rediscover joy after losing a loved one, a parent or sibling who died serving in the Israel Defense Forces. (Credit: Courtesy of FIDF.)
Each group is led by currently serving IDF commanders who themselves lost a loved one as children and once participated in the Legacy Program.
They are joined by a team of social workers and psychologists to offer emotional support throughout the journey.
“These trips offer bereaved children the chance to simply be kids again, while forming bonds with others who truly understand their pain,” said Michal Herchcovitz, Head of Delegations at FIDF.
“These children have endured unimaginable heartbreak. Seeing them laugh, smile, and feel embraced by American families makes a lasting impact.”
The Legacy Program is part of FIDF’s $28 million initiative supporting bereaved families, which includes nearly 700 orphaned children, over 300 individuals who have lost a spouse, and more than 3,100 siblings of fallen soldiers since October 7.
“The most powerful part of this program is not the places they visit, it’s the people they meet,” said Sharon Sheffer, FIDF’s Associate Director of Programs.
“These kids return to Israel having developed lifelong friendships and knowing they are seen and supported by people in the United States.”
FIDF is a nonprofit organization that provides critical support to Israel’s soldiers, veterans, and bereaved families through a wide range of educational, mental health, and financial aid initiatives.
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