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Every year, the IDFWO provides rising first graders with a brand new backpack full of essential school supplies.
Sponsor an IDF orphan’s backpack for $300
IDFWO holds Otzma “Strength” camps four times a year, during Sukkot, Hanukkah, Passover, and over Summer break for IDF orphans aged 6-18. The camps provide children with 4-5 fun-filled days, and give their mothers, the widows, a well-deserved break, knowing that their children are happy and thriving.
The camps’ goal is to create a unique environment in which children can overcome their tragedies together, alongside peers and friends who have experienced a similar loss.
The camps are meant to be fun and educational, and our years of experience help us cater to our children’s particular needs. We do our best to provide our children with an experience that will strengthen and support them by helping them grow into positive and healthy individuals as well as proud citizens of Israel. Our counselors are all volunteers (some of whom are IDF orphans themselves).
In addition, we offer a special Otzma Camp for IDF orphans from the Druze community. This camp is held in Arabic and is run by Druze counselors, two of whom are IDF orphans themselves. This Otzma Camp was designed to address the particular needs of Druze orphans by providing them with a supportive space in which they can be themselves and help each other grow stronger.
Send an IDF Orphan to an Otzma Camp $550 per camp or $2,200 for a whole year (four camps)
Our Mentor Program pairs university students who have finished their army or national service with IDF orphans aged 6-15.
The mentors meet with their mentees once a week for a few hours, and become positive role models for our orphans. They often act as a “big brother” or “big sister,” and help our orphans with homework, play games with them, take them out for ice cream, and do many fun activities with them while providing them with consistent, compassionate support which gives them more confidence.
Interested in volunteering as a mentor?
Email Nitzan at nitzan@idfwo.org
*A minimum commitment of two years is required.
To celebrate their coming of age, Bar and Bat Mitzvah aged IDF orphans travel together to the United States and Canada for an unforgettable three-week trip. During this trip, the children enjoy summer camp activities, tour famous sites, and become friends with North-American campers their age.
The children not only form lifelong friendships during this trip, but they also receive unlimited love, support, and encouragement from each other, our staff, our volunteer counselors, and the warm and welcoming North American families that host them.
For many of our children, not being able to go through pivotal moments in their lives with both their parents at their side can be incredibly difficult and lonely. This trip provides a safe space for them to support each other and to share experiences as they laugh and grow together.
Sponsor an IDF orphan’s trip to North America for $3,600
Every year, our Bar and Bat Mitzvah aged IDF orphans celebrate their coming of age together at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. They also get to meet the President of Israel, the Minister of Defense, and the IDF Chief of Staff, who congratulate them on their special day. Although a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is first and foremost a joyous occasion, for IDF orphans, the day’s excitement is inevitably accompanied by sadness, because they aren’t able to celebrate this day with both of their parents. This is why we stand by them and celebrate with them, to recognize their sacrifice and show them that they are not alone. Sponsor an orphan’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration for $1,300!
The European Leadership Seminar is held annually for IDF orphans aged 15-18 who are selected to participate. The seminar offers our youth leadership a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore their Jewish-Israeli identity as well as learn new leadership skills that will serve them throughout their lifetime. Previous seminars have taken place in Vienna, Venice, Munich, and Prague.
Joining the IDF is a special moment for all Israelis, but holds particular significance for IDF orphans and their families. To show support for our orphans, we provide them with a special heavy-duty backpack with essential supplies they will need during their service. We are moved by their dedication to their country: not only has their father or mother given their life for our homeland, but now they are joining the ranks and continuing to serve and protect us.
Thank you for your service!
Every year, we grant scholarships to hundreds of orphans who choose to pursue higher education or a vocational trade. We provide these scholarships throughout the orphans’ studies, whether their degree takes three, four, or five years to complete. Our goal is to provide them with the support they need to shape their futures and to embark on the career of their choice.
Give the gift of education and sponsor a student today Annual scholarships range from $700-$1,500
Every year, we give orphans who are getting married a head start with a wedding check. These gifts ease the financial burden that young couples face when starting to build their future.
Give an orphan a wedding gift $700
Otzma Plus camps help guide young adult orphans into adulthood. These retreats include lectures and workshops that address topics such as pensions and personal finance, and, since they’re Otzma camps, they also include an element of fun.
After adult orphans turn 30, they are welcome to join our Adult Orphan Programming, which include parties at different holidays such as New Year’s Eve and Purim, retreats in Israel and abroad, and lot of other fun activities. Maintaining this network is so important, because it gives adult orphans continued support throughout their lives and a network of people they can relate to in a unique and profound way.
We provide medical grants to adult orphans who need them, for anything from dental surgery to cancer treatment.
Give an adult orphan the gift of health for $700