Finding the words is difficult—the words to process what is going on and the words to talk to your children. It can feel impossible. We’ve been asked what age is appropriate to discuss the terror happening in Israel. Every family is different and there is no perfect answer to this, however, Camp Judaea staff participated in a seminar this week with The Jewish Education Project and panelist Dr. Sivan Zakai said something that resonated with us: “There is a difference between a child who is learning to read and a child who is reading to learn”  and “If kids can talk, they can talk about this.”

We hope the guidance below is helpful:

• We are told on an airplane to put on our own oxygen mask first before helping others. This is no different. We need to begin to process our own feelings before we can speak with our children.
• You don’t need to have all the answers. Children need to have a calm presence and talk to people who are willing to have the conversation.
• Give basic information and then ask them if there is anything else they want to know or talk about. Let them know it’s ok if they don’t want to know more too.
• Be authentic. You don’t have to pretend that everything is ok. Children can read our feelings, whether we want them to or not. It is okay to tell them that you are scared or hurt or sad. Normalizing their feelings can help them process.

Here are some resources we’ve found helpful:

• How to Talk to Your Kids About What’s Happening in Israel Right Now (Kveller)
• How to Talk to Children About the Conflict in Israel (URJ)
• How to Talk to Teens and Kids About the Israel-Hamas War (Toronto Star-mental health section)
• How to Talk to Your Kids about Scary Situations (PJ Library)
• How To Talk to Children About the Violence in Israel (Center for Children and Youth)
• Supporting Young People During Crisis (Learning for Justice)
• Resources on Teaching about Israel in a Time of Crisis (The Jewish Education Project)

Share the CJ Magic with loved ones at Hanukkah with this year’s Mystery Box. All proceeds will be donated to Magen David Adom (MDA). MDA provides life saving support, training, equipment, and medical supplies for all of their volunteers. Young Judaea’s Year Course participants have a long-standing history of volunteering with MDA and it is a cause very close to our hearts.

Not only will you receive one-of-a-kind items not found anywhere else, you will be sharing the light and joy of Hanukkah and helping Eretz Yisrael at this very difficult time.

Purchase between now and Nov 10th so you don’t miss out.

Share a message, drawing, video, image, or letter of love and support for our CJ family in Israel and view messages from our community.

We hope that our families and campers will take some time to send a message of support to our CJ staff and other soldiers in Israel. It can be something simple, just a few handwritten words, a drawing, a poem, or even a short video. We will be sending our campers’ messages of support to Israeli members of our CJ family, and they will in turn pass them on to their units, friends, and families.

Please scan or take a picture of your camper’s message and email it to Danny Tuchman at danny@campjudaea.org. We are sure any message will be greatly appreciated. We will pass on everything you send to our Israeli staff, and to Danny’s four nephews serving in active IDF units who have also shared their willingness to pass on messages to their friends and families.

It is important to give our campers themselves a way to express their support for Israel. We hope they will take this opportunity to send a message which will go a long way in expressing their support and raising the morale of our Israeli friends in the IDF. If you have any questions please send them to Danny at danny@campjudaea.org.

Looking for ways to help? Organizing ways that people can help? Go to this document to add or search for information or let the Young Judaea team know about it at alumni@youngjudaea.org.