July 31st, five teens from the Western Galilee returned to Israel, after volunteering 5 weeks in summer camps in the JCCs of Akron, Canton, Louisville and South Bend.

The war began while they were in the communities and they were sought out by radio, newspapers and television. Everyone wanted to interview the young Israelis ambassadors from the Western Galilee.

We would like to thank each of the communities for hugging these kids, encouraging them and making them feel at home.

At the same time these kids returned to Israel, eight kids and three adults from the region, departed to   Indianapolis, Omaha and San Antonio to spend a week in the communities and then join the community  delegations to the JCC Maccabi Games.

Most of the teens left anxious for a "breath of fresh air"  after being in the shelters for almost three weeks.  The separation from the parents was not easy. For the parents its  mixed emotions on one hand "you want your child to be safe" and on the other hand "in times of war its better to be together".