מחנה הקיץ של "עלי שיח"
מחנה הקיץ של "עלי שיח"צילום: יוסי לייטער

As every summer, this week the annual show at the Alei Siach summer camp took place in Kfar Saba under the slogan "If you gladden mine, I will gladden yours."

A number of prominent Jewish musicians volunteered their services for the show.

Among them were Yishai Lapidot, Arik Dvir, Srulik Herstik, Yossi Berger and program coordinator Menachem Toker. The show was produced voluntarily, as every year, by Uriel Mazuz. The performers cooperated with the children's requests and went out of their way to give them an experience that they will remember for years to come.

The Alei Siach summer camp is designed for hundreds of children and adolescents with physical and mental disabilities. The camp's motto is "nobody is left behind", and it is intended to allow special needs children to enjoy a dream summer camp which is specially calibrated for those with complex disabilities. At the same time it allows the families of these children to enjoy a significant break which enables them to rejuvenate and give more quality time to the other brothers and sisters. Hundreds of volunteers help out at the camp.

Rabbi Chaim Perkal, the founder and President of Alei Siach told Arutz Sheva:" I am so moved to see the joy and energy displayed by the campers and staff. We can see here a practical example of how music is a wonderful bridge which connects different worlds. To see the volunteers and artists who have contributed and come to gladden the children of Alei Siach in this period, giving of their valuable time, warms the heart so much and I am grateful to each and every one of them."

Chaim, an Alei Siach camper described the show: "I am grateful to all the performers and volunteers who came to make us happy. You have made our summer. My friends and I are thrilled."

Among the many volunteers who came to gladden others was Motti, a long time volunteer in the organization. "I could have gone on trips and enjoyed the short vacation I have, but volunteering at the Alei Siach summer camp, together with the campers who so need our help and warmth, invigorates me more than anything else I might choose to do

Singer Yishai Lapidot said after the show that "This event should be broadcast around the world so that everyone can see the tremendous act of kindness that yeshiva students are doing during their vacation. They think that we the artists are being kind but this is not the case. Alei Siach are being kind to us. The show at Alei Siach is worth more than any other show in the world."

מחנה הקיץ של "עלי שיח"