This Chanukah, Zichron Menachem descended on Eilat for its
eleventh annual winter camp for children with cancer. The
group, totaling 180 people, flew from Ben Gurion Airport to
Eilat and spent the first five days of Chanukah at the King
Solomon Hotel.
All of the young campers left their families, doctors and
hospital treatments behind them. They came together from
cities and towns all over Israel and took a break from the
sterile medical environment they know so well but never quite
feel comfortable with. They came to Zichron Menachem camp in
order to refresh their energy and their souls. For many of
the children it was their first time away from their
families.
"Camp is the antithesis of their hospital experience. In
hospital, things move slowly, leaving a lot of quiet, boring
time for children. At our camp, children's days (and nights)
are packed with nonstop programming. We give them so much
thrilling adventure that they don't have the time or
inclination to even THINK about their pain, disease, anger or
depression. Our experience has shown again and again that our
philosophy of 'keep them smiling and happy' is a very
important adjunct to successful treatment and healing."
Activities included the famous underwater observatory and
oceanarium, a glass-bottom boat ride, jet skiing, jeep riding
through the red mountains, a visit to the dolphin reef,
parasailing off a yacht on the Red Sea, Karaoke, and a circus
performance. Every evening, the group gathered together for a
moving Chanukiah lighting ceremony.
This year at camp the counselors proved to be a talented
group of actors. During a game of "find the counselor hiding
in the mall," it was truly difficult to recognize the known
faces under their costumes. One counselor dressed in rags put
on a very believable performance as a needy person sitting on
the side. Another dressed in elaborate Renaissance costume
and he became a living prop at the entrance to a jewelry
store, welcoming customers.
Every camp is filled with very personal and moving stories
and experiences. Medical doctors, nurses and paramedics
specializing in cancer always accompany the group. This year
when one particular child (M.) felt ill and developed a fever
in the middle of camp, he was connected to an intravenous and
given antibiotics and unable to participate in activities
that day. Then, in the evening, the boy was reconnected to a
new intravenous on a stand with wheels, which allowed him to
join the others in hotel meals and activities.
A group of five counselors immediately noticed his sad look
and moved into action. A few minutes later, they entered the
dining hall, each of them connected to an intravenous. The
five counselors sang and danced, and had the whole room
rolling with laughter. The next morning M. said, "I know they
don't really know what I'm going through, but I will never
forget what they did for me. It was so encouraging; they gave
me support and encouragement. The counselors did everything
possible to relate to me and my situation; they literally
gave me strength and made me feel so much better."
For Further details or information on Zichron Menachem,
contact: Zichron Menachem 23 HaRav Frank St. P.O.Box 16383
Jerusalem, 91163 Israel Tel. +972-2-643-3001 Fax. +972-2-643-
3991 Email: info@zichronmenachem.org or the website
www.zichronmenachem.org
