### BEYOND THE BATTLEFIELD: FIDF SUMMER CAMP HEALS HEARTS#### What it isSarah and Yona Ben-Nun, who lost their brother in Gaza, found solace and community at an FIDF “Legacy” camp in the US.#### Why it mattersThe FIDF (Friends of the Israel Defense Forces) organizes these camps to aid Israeli families impacted by military service, providing emotional support, joy, and friendship to children who have lost loved ones.#### The full storySarah and Yona Ben-Nun faced an immense tragedy when their brother, Captain Shlomo Ben-Nun, a 22-year-old deputy company commander in the 202nd Battalion of the Paratrooper Brigade, was killed in northern Gaza on November 16th, 2023.Recently, they found refuge and healing in a unique summer camp experience in the US through the FIDF “Legacy” program. This program offers Israeli children and siblings of fallen soldiers a chance to build strong relationships and find support. “The camp helped me cope better with the situation and gave me strength. I also learned from other children’s stories,” said Sarah, 12, who joined the camp as a participant. Her brother Yona, 21, served as a counselor and shared, “Watching these children flourish gave me a deep sense of meaning and a great feeling.”#### A testament to camaraderieThe FIDF Legacy group, which included Sarah and Yona, brings Israeli kids affected by similar losses to the US for joy-filled activities and immeasurable support. This initiative enables participants to experience precious moments of happiness and find community.Participants and counselors, many of whom have undergone similar experiences, develop strong unique bonds. The camp’s mission is to offer relief from daily grieving and essential support needed to process their losses. Excelling in building this support system, FIDF has actively contributed through various programs for IDF soldiers and bereaved families. FIDF has partnered with the Israel Defense Forces for over four decades, facilitating numerous initiatives including educational activities, financial help, and support for soldiers’ welfare.Captain Shlomo Ben-Nun, too, left a lasting positive impact, participating in an FIDF delegation to Poland for Holocaust Memorial Day last year. #### The aftermath of loss and moving forwardSarah and Yona’s journey back home would forever bear the scar of Captain Shlomo’s death. Receiving the heart-wrenching news threw Yona into despair during his service in the south of Israel, remembering how his commander delivered the tragic information. Brittany, who was at home preparing for school, also grappled with sudden reality when confronted by soldiers at her door.The siblings drew strength from their family and one another. Yona decided to return to military service soon after Shlomo’s fall, finding resilience by forging forward. “Life goes on, and I must keep moving forward for them.”Both siblings found the FIDF camp transformative. “We were all part of the same camp,” Yona recalled, emphasizing the various recreational activities which enabled the children to let down their guards and embrace joy amidst their shared struggles. #### Shared experiences and permanent friendshipsConnecting with other affected children fostered invaluable relationships. Conversations around shared grief became life-altering intimate exchanges. As Yona signifies, “Unlike with friends at home, I felt here I was speaking with people really understanding and who knew what I felt.”Sarah also praised the transformative effect of these shared experiences. Social interactions enabled them genuinely to understand each another’s struggles fostering a strong mutual support network as they navigated life beyond their shared losses. Sarah and Yona’s stories exemplify the significant healing power of FIDF’s programs. By supporting such initiatives, FIDF continually strives to provide meaningful support and recovery channels for the bereaved members of the Israeli defense community.
This story was first published on jpost.com.
