“Hope for the best, prepare for the worst” was never an axiom I expected to live by, but in eighth grade it became my new reality. No one is ever prepared for the worst until it actually happens. October 21 st , 2009 was just like any other day. I went to school, came home, did my homework, and went to my friend’s house. It wasn’t until later that night that the worst actually occurred. My father died from a heart attack. His death was totally unexpected. Suddenly, I wasn’t daddy’s little girl anymore. Two years later, I was given the opportunity to volunteer at a camp where I used this experience to aid other children.
The children who attended Camp Koby all experienced the loss of a family member to one of the many terror attacks in Israel. Although my loss was not due to terror, I was able to relate to their losses. On the second day of camp, I noticed that one camper was very upset. I asked what was bothering him, but he was very hesitant to tell me. So I engaged him in a conversation about his favorite activities instead. During our conversation, he told me that he felt no one could relate to him or understands what he was feeling, even though every camper in the camp had experienced a loss. I explained that I understood what he was feeling because I had experienced the loss of my father. He was comforted by the knowledge that I had undergone a similar experience. Throughout the rest of camp, we had numerous discussions about moving forward and not dwelling on our mutual losses. From then on, he enjoyed all of our daily activities.
Loss can either deprive one of hope or strengthen one’s resolve. Over time I have come to realize that dwelling on the past is not beneficial; instead, I must continue to be hopeful about the future. These beliefs have been reinforced by my continued interactions via Facebook and Whatsapp with former campers from Camp Koby. Some of our conversations are about our daily lives; whereas, other conversations are about planning for the future. A positive outlook is necessary to moveforward.
A positive outlook allows a person to mature rather than to be trapped in the past. These experiences gave me the opportunity to choose hope over despair. It is much easier to dwell on the past than to seek the positives. Even though the positives are often more challenging, they are more rewarding. They allow a person to have hope.
In Israel, terrorism has robbed thousands of children of those closest to them. Mothers, fathers, and siblings - safety and love that can never be returned.
You can help a child who has experienced devastating loss through terror or other tragedy. You can add a spark to the healing process.
Because of you, a child whose world was pulled out from under them will take a crucial step in writing a new chapter.
You can send such a child to Israel's healing place. At Camp Koby, these young victims will grow through intense and meaningful experiences. They will incorporate proven therapeutic techniques that foster an environment of emotional support.
These campers will be with the only other people in the world who can relate to their loss - others whose families have been ripped apart by vile acts of terror. They will learn to translate the pain and suffering of tragedy into positive personal growth. And they will take a massive step forward in moving on.
But they can’t do it without you.
You see, Camp Koby, like all the other programs of the Koby Mandell Foundation, are free of charge. For a child that has lost a parent or sibling, Camp Koby is a beacon of hope. Sending a child there doesn’t happen on its own. We need you to make it happen.
Because of you, a child who has lost the unimaginable will develop interpersonal relationships that allow him or her to grow, to flourish, to heal.
The Koby Mandell Foundation is dedicated to creating a Jewish response to the impact of terror and tragedy. Help a child experience this one-of-a-kind environment.
And, between now and June 9, every dollar you donate will be DOUBLED! That’s right. Because of a generous matching gift, you can double your impact. But the clock is ticking. This campaign is ALL OR NOTHING. If we don’t hit our campaign goal, the matching gift will not take effect.
Sadly, as terror pervades in the streets of Israel, there are more and more victims who need Camp Koby. These children need your help and they need it now.
Please give and let the healing begin.