More than 400 bereaved Israeli youth were treated to a Chanukah surprise when superstar Idan Amedi arrived by helicopter for a private performance at their winter camp south of Beersheva.
The popular Israeli singer-songwriter and lead actor in the international hit “Fauda” became a real-life war hero when, as a reserve soldier in the IDF Combat Engineering Corps, he was severely wounded in an explosion that killed six of his comrades battling Hamas terrorists in the southern Gaza Strip last January.
The children, ranging in age from eight to 18, were attending a three-day Chanukah camp run by OneFamily, an organization supporting victims of terrorism and their families. The camp for children who have lost a parent or sibling to terrorism or war is one of 40 Chanukah programs run by the organization.
Held this year in Kibbutz Revivim in the Negev, the camp features activities such as arts and crafts, games, “sandboarding” and rappelling, as well as therapeutic sessions to process grief.
In addition to a musical performance, Amedi lit Chanukah candles and took photos with the kids, sharing words of inspiration.
“What makes this camp so special is the deep sense of community we create. Idan’s visit and performance were emotional highlights, reinforcing the powerful truth that healing doesn’t happen alone,” said Marc Belzberg, founder and chairman of OneFamily. “By sharing their stories and hearing from someone who has endured so much, these young people felt truly seen, supported and inspired to continue their own journey of recovery.”
