About 700 orphans and widows participated in a Hanukkah vacation at the Galei Tamar Hotel on the Ashkelon beach, initiated by Chesed Menachem Mendel - the educational division of the Chabad Kollel. For many families, this is one of the only opportunities of the year to get out of the complex routine and spend time together in a supportive setting.
During the three days, a wide variety of activities took place: trampolines for children, circus shows, multimedia games, Hanukkah parties, singing and dancing, family candle lighting, workshops for mothers and open heart-to-heart discussions. Alongside the activities, a prestigious children's gift fair was held where each child chose a gift game in honor of the holiday, and sumptuous meals were served throughout the day.
The 700 orphans and widows were divided into three groups, with each group receiving a three-day vacation, filled with invested content. The vacation is the highlight of the ongoing activity of 'Chesed Menachem Mendel' with hundreds of widows and orphans throughout the year.
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Rabbi Mendi Blau, from the management of the 'Kollel', accompanied the entire vacation, along with the dedicated staff of the veteran charity.
Beyond the content - what made the vacation meaningful for many were the small moments, the ones that aren't always visible from the outside.
""The children left with huge smiles and a rich experience," said one of the mothers. "It was fun and refreshing, and we felt like someone was really thinking about us.".
Another mother described the experience in simple words: "Everything was planned down to the smallest detail. The children had a blast, and we were excited with them. It's hard to explain how much moments like these give us strength in our daily routine.".
Another participant, who came on vacation for the first time with her daughter, spoke about the sense of belonging: "It was exciting to feel part of a group. A place that understands, embraces, and gives the feeling that nothing needs to be explained. My daughter had an amazing tutor, and I was able to breathe a little.".
Another mother concluded: "The children's smiles and happiness, that's the greatest gift. They've been waiting for this for weeks.".
The vacation, organized by Rachel Merton and Rabbi Moishe Kot, ended after three packed days, as the families packed up and returned to their routines. For some, it was a brief respite; for others, a significant bright spot in a challenging time. But almost everyone who left the hotel said the same thing: For a few days, there was light.
Great investment was made in every detail of its content, with the aim of maximizing every moment of the vacation, which was organized thanks to the esteemed donors, led by Governor Rabbi Eliyahu Schlossberg, in honor of the soul of his father, Rabbi Avraham Yitzhak Schlossberg, and for the benefit of his family, as part of the "E"ish Israel" educational-social project.
""For the families, this is a holiday of joy," said Chabad Kollel Director, Rabbi Shalom Duchman. "The emotional burden placed on every widow is very challenging. A Hanukkah vacation allows them, and certainly their orphaned children, to relax, rejoice, and enjoy every moment.".
