MONTEREY – Last summer, 33 Israeli children and teens from hostage families found something extraordinary in the quiet, pine-scented air of the Berkshires: hope. At Camp Halfmoon, nestled on the shores of Lake Buel, they experienced joy, freedom, and healing through Kimama’s transformative “Summer of Hope” program—turning trauma into resilience, and strangers into lifelong friends.

Operated by Israel’s Kimama Group for the past four years, Camp Halfmoon is more than just a summer camp — it’s a sanctuary. In winter 2024, Kimama CEO Avishay Nachon received a heartfelt call from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, asking: could children from hostage families find a place in one of Kimama’s camps? Together with the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston, Kimama said yes — and delivered an experience filled with laughter, community, and purpose.

“It wasn’t a grief camp,” emphasized Kimama COO Alon Parnas. “It was a real summer camp—just as it should be.”

This summer, that mission grew. Thanks to support from Jewish Federation of the Berkshires ($10,000), the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Berkshire County ($5,000), and generous local donors, Camp Halfmoon is welcoming 55 Israeli campers from hostage families. They join campers from around the U.S. and the world — most of them Jewish, many with close ties to Israel — to take a much-needed breath from the intensity of life back home, where even this summer was marked by the 12-day war with Iran.

As the situation in Israel continues to evolve, so too has the tone of the summer. With a hopeful resolution to the hostage crisis possibly near, Camp Halfmoon has become not only a place of refuge, but a space of empowerment. Camp Director Yael Skikne reflects on last year: “We had kids who hadn’t left their homes, who hadn’t seen friends in months. Three weeks later, they were smiling, playing, breathing. Parents told us their children were going back to school with renewed energy and peace of mind.”

Still, many campers remain in limbo. “Some are still living in hotels,” says CEO Nachon. “Is the state doing enough? It depends on who you ask. But what’s clear is that Israelis are helping each other.” Skikne adds, “Time heals — but spaces like this accelerate that healing.”

Camp is healing for everyone involved—including the staff. “About 40 percent of our counselors are Israeli,” says Nachon, “and many have recently served in combat zones. Being here, making a difference for these kid s— it gives deep meaning to what they do.”

Twelve-year-old Gali Horn from Kfar Saba returned to Halfmoon this summer, although delayed by events in Israel. Her family’s story is one of heartbreak: two of her uncles were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz. One, Yair, was released in February 2025. The other, Eitan, remains in captivity. Gali calls camp a “bubble,” or b’ua in Hebrew. “It’s hard for people to understand my story, even Israelis,” she says. “I want to stay in the bubble — but I also want to know what’s happening.”

At camp, kids disconnect from their phones, relying on staff to provide important news. “Some ask for updates daily, some never ask,” says Ella Shahar, a counselor from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. “Gali asks twice a day.”

Unlike last year, many families are now deeply involved in the movement to bring the hostages home. Gali has found solidarity in new friendships, especially during visits to Hostages Square in Tel Aviv. “I met other kids like me. There were people everywhere who wanted to help.”

First-time camper Daria Peri, 12, from Tel Aviv, called arriving at camp hi’tragshut — pure excitement. The granddaughter of peace activist Chaim Peri, who was kidnapped and murdered after October 7, Daria brings both grief and grace with her. “It was hard to disconnect from everything,” she says. “But here, I could learn how to focus on friendship and fun again. I could talk.”

For many American and international campers, the experience has opened eyes and hearts. “I didn’t want to force anyone to talk,” says Micah, 12. “I just wanted them to feel good. Once we became friends, we talked more.” Another camper, Ori, remembered one boy arriving with a stress-related skin condition. “By the end of camp,” he says, “he was doing much better. You could see it helped.”

Adds Amit, 11: “I’m just friends with everyone. What I learned is that we’re all family. We’re all part of what happened.”

Yael Skikne emphasizes that Kimama’s commitment is long-term. “We’re building an alumni network, just like American camps. These connections won’t end with the summer.” Kimama stays in touch with families year-round, ensuring that the healing doesn’t stop when the suitcases are packed.

But the most powerful impact, she adds, happens quietly — through a changed perspective. “Even a few weeks here has helped kids return to Israel with stronger identities, a deeper sense of self, and a belief that they can face whatever comes next. Because at Camp Halfmoon, a ‘Summer of Hope isn’t just a season — it’s a lifeline.”