A touching Chanukah miracle occurred in Southern Israel on Wednesday evening the eve of 28 Kislev when Jewish teenagers from New York and Munich lit candles and sang in unison with 150 IDF orphans. The online video conference was initiated by the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization as part of their ongoing OTZMA Chanukah camp. The Israeli youth were empowered by their American peers at SAR High-School in Riverdale New York, whose a cappella group treated them to a rendition of some Chanukah favorites. While messages of hope and support were also in abundance from Munich, where Jewish youth gathered around their webcam to show their solidarity with their new Israeli friends.

The IDFWO Chanukah camp is one of four annual retreats that cater specifically to IDF orphans. Activities at the camp include hiking, swimming, rappelling, barbeques and parties, in addition to coming together to share their stories and begin the path to healing after tragically losing a parent who paid the ultimate price defending the State of Israel. IDF orphans are often the only children in their schools or communities to have lost a parent, making it difficult for them to relate to their peers.

Shlomi Nahumson, Youth Director at the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization described the event: “It was incredibly emotional to see Jewish youth from two other continents join us live to celebrate Chanukah together, it just goes to show that the people of Israel are one, no matter where they reside in the world. The IDF orphans felt a warm embrace from abroad and a public demonstration that they are not alone.” He added “We hope to make this an annual tradition and I’d like to send out an open invitation to other schools and youth groups worldwide to join us and empower those left behind”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem / Photos: IDF Widows & Orphans Organization)