Jordan River Update

The beginning of 2026 has brought both meaningful activity at the Village and the difficult reality of the current war with Iran.

As soon as the war began, we took immediate steps to ensure the safety of our community. All staff members and volunteers who could safely return home were encouraged to do so in order to be with their families and remain in protected environments.

Alongside these safety measures, we are also doing our part to serve the country during this time. The Village is currently hosting a group of 30 soldiers who are stationed in northern Israel and are staying overnight at the Village while deployed in the area.  In addition, we have welcomed three families with children with special needs who do not have access to safe rooms in their homes. They are staying at the Village, where our staff is providing food, shelter, and ongoing support. We expect additional families to arrive in the days ahead.

Like many organizations across Israel, we are balancing the need to stay safe with the responsibility to serve. Our goal is to remain a national resource while continuing our mission of supporting children with serious illnesses and disabilities and their families. Providing housing, food, care, and support for these families and soldiers requires us to keep the Village fully operational.

The cost of maintaining these services is estimated at approximately $12,000 per day. We warmly invite members of our community to help support these families and the soldiers who are protecting our country. At the same time, regardless of how much funding we raise, we remain committed to continuing this support and will keep the Village open to serve them for as long as it is needed.

By the Numbers (January–February)

Before the war began, the year at Jordan River Village started with energy, with January and February among our busiest months in recent years. While that moment already feels distant from our current reality, it reminds us of the strength of our staff and community, and we hope that when this difficult period passes, the rest of the year will reflect the strong start we experienced.
890 Overnight Stays
Across 7 Healing Camp Sessions

• 5 Camp Retreats
• 2 Family Retreats

182 Volunteers
Supporting the kitchen, social programs, medical care, and emotional support.

Children Served Facing Conditions Including:
• Post-hospitalization recovery
• Epilepsy
• Intestinal failure
• Behavioral challenges
• Developmental disabilities
• Learning disabilities

Highlights From the Village (January–February)

New Medically-Challenging Camp Session
For the first time since our inception, we hosted an overnight camp session for children living with intestinal failure. This was an especially complex program. Our kitchen team prepared specialized meals compatible with the medical devices many of the children rely on for nutrition, while our staff adapted activities across the Village—from the zip line to the pool—to safely accommodate the tubes and equipment connected to the children. Each camp brings its own challenges, and it is both our privilege and our responsibility to continue expanding our programs so that we can reach every sick and disabled child in Israel.

Serving Diverse Communities
A retreat for a special education school from the Haredi community reflected the Village’s commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for children from all backgrounds across Israel.

Program Growth in 2026

• Team Netta – After the successful pilot launch in 2025, the program is expanding training opportunities and partnerships by estabilishing new partnerships with new sister organizations.
• Teen and Alumni Programs – Regular gatherings continue to strengthen long-term engagement with youth who remain connected to the Village community.
• Strategic Planning – Village 2030 – A joint team of board members, AFJRV leadership, and Village management has begun preparing the next phase of the Village’s development.

A Full Circle Moment

This winter, Daniela, a former camper, returned as a national service volunteer. During one retreat she volunteered alongside her mother, who had first brought her to the Village years earlier after a doctor recommended it. Today they give back together, helping other children experience the same sense of belonging and joy.