2003 Keeping the Children Safe Summer Camps

The United Jewish Communities' Israel Emergency Campaign (IEC) is subsidizing the participation of 130,000 first to sixth graders, in 1,000 summer camps run by over 200 municipalities throughout Israel. Together UJC and its overseas agencies, the Jewish Agency for Israel and JDC, are implementing the summer camp program in partnership with Israel's Ministry of Education and the Union of Local Authorities. $10 million has been allocated for the summer camps, to be divided equally between JDC and the Jewish Agency for Israel.

Criteria for participation are based on economic need, with special consideration given to children in areas that have been hardest hit by terror. The children come from diverse backgrounds and include new immigrants from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia.

The three-week-long summer camps provide a safe, carefree environment where the children can enjoy sports, arts and crafts, swimming, singing, scouting, dancing and special activities. This year's theme is "Time to Love" and values-oriented activities stress the importance of caring for others. The highlight is going to one of Israel's major water or amusement parks.

In addition to providing safe havens during the summer months, JDC is also providing funding for after-school activities throughout the school year. In collaboration with the UJC Israel Emergency Campaign, JDC provides these after-school programs in 87 locations throughout the country for 55,000 children of low-income families and vulnerable populations. Other JDC programs, such as post-traumatic support and counseling are assisting 16,000 Israelis in 38 locations.

To watch a video or read a brochure about the 2002 UJC/JDC summer camps, please click here.