Paul Newman Camp Opens in Israel

from The Times of Israel:

14 years in the making, a Paul Newman ‘fun’ camp for sick children opens in Israel

On Sunday, the Jordan River Village – the 14th and newest member of the Newman chain of camps – located in the Lower Galilee region of Israel, had its very own official grand opening. The only camp of its kind in the Middle East, the Jordan River Village seeks to be play-land for kids with chronic illnesses in the broader Middle East. It has been operational for nearly six months.

While the premise is fun, the purpose of the Jordan River Village is serious. It looks illness unflinchingly in the face, and gives the more fragile members of society a chance to experience thrills while embracing their needs.

… The camp accepts for its weeklong programs children with cancer, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, familial dysautonomia, neurological disorders, rheumatic diseases, heart diseases and other life-threatening or chronic illnesses – all for free – from every background: Muslim, Druze, Christian, Jewish, Arab, secular, ultra-Orthodox, poor, rich.