Yeshiva winter break has always been a chaotic, joyful time in Israel. Families from across the United States descend on Jerusalem and beyond for a packed week or ten days. Parents come to see their gap year kids. High school seniors tour programs. Extended family reunions happen over Shabbat meals and cafes. The itineraries are familiar: trips to the Kotel, hikes in the Golan, the best hummus spots in Machane Yehuda.
And yes, there has always been a chessed component. Pantry Packers became a rite of passage for these visiting families, a way to give back during what is otherwise a vacation focused on family connection.
But October 7, 2023 changed the equation.
Since the war began, more and more American families arrive not just wanting to visit Israel, but wanting to make a real difference during their time here. The shift is unmistakable. Vacation still means quality time with their children studying abroad, but it also means asking: how can we help? What can we do that matters?
This year, a group of families from Teaneck, New Jersey reached out to Smiles for the Kids with that exact question. They wanted to create something meaningful during their winter break trip. Together, we planned a carnival and pizza party for the families of active soldiers, choosing Mevo Horon as the location.
Mevo Horon has become like family to us. We have worked extensively with this community throughout the war. But the timing of this event hit differently. Many of the husbands in Mevo Horon had just been called up for their fifth, sixth, or even seventh round of reserve duty since October 7th. These families know what prolonged sacrifice looks like. Their kids understand why Abba keeps leaving.
The day of the event arrived with a massive storm. Rain pounded down all day without pause. The Teaneck families reached out, concerned about what this meant for the carnival. Before they even finished asking, we told them not to worry. The event was indoors. And more importantly, their fathers were serving out there in that same rain. No one was going to complain about weather.
Over 250 children showed up. Many were sent by exhausted mothers just needing their kids out of the house for a few hours. The Teaneck volunteers set up arts and crafts stations, bouncy houses, carnival games, cotton candy machines, and tables full of pizza and drinks. They played with the kids. They made hundreds of cotton candies. They poured everything they had into creating a few hours of pure joy.
The community presented the volunteers with plants as thank you gifts, a small gesture that carried enormous weight. Everyone felt it. The kids went home with full bellies and prize bags. The volunteers went home understanding something new about what it means to give.
Turning vacation into something of meaning is easier than most people realize. A BBQ for soldiers. A carnival for families. A pizza party for a stressed community. These are not complicated logistics. They just require the willingness to reach out and say: we want to help.
If you are planning a trip to Israel and want to turn part of your vacation into something that makes people smile, contact us. We will help you plan an activity that fits your group, your timeline, and the communities that need support right now.
Because sometimes the best family memories are the ones where you showed up for someone else.