A group of Israeli teens visited Chicago this week as part of a special North American trip organized by the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization (IDFWO). The Israeli youth are all children of fallen soldiers who recently celebrated their bar and bat mitzvahs at a group IDFWO ceremony in Jerusalem.

It is customary among Israeli families to take their children abroad for a fun vacation to celebrate their coming of age, but for families broken by war, this is often not possible.

In Chicago, the young adults were hosted by families from Congregation B’nai Tikvah in Deerfield. Highlights of their weekend in Chicago included a tour of the city, a Chicago White Sox game, a pool party and a visit to Six Flags Great America.

“This trip will leave lifelong memories in the hearts and minds of these teens, who have felt so much pain and hardship from so early on in life,” said IDFWO Youth Director Shlomi Nahumson, who led the trip. “The IDFWO does its utmost to be present at all major lifecycle events and this is an integral part of our work to support and comfort these families and prepare them for a brighter future. We are extremely grateful to our partners in Chicago for opening their hearts and homes to us.”

In addition to visiting Chicago, the teens will also spend time in Toronto and New York.

IDFWO is the sole non-profit organization recognized by the State of Israel that represents and supports the widows and orphans of Israel’s fallen soldiers. The organization provides social, emotional and financial support to widows and orphans who have suffered a great loss: that of a husband and/or father. From the moment that the family is informed of the tragic news, until the child graduates university, the IDFWO is on hand to support and help those left behind.