About 700 orphans and widows participated in the retreat on the Ashkelon coast, an initiative of Chesed Menachem Mendel, the educational arm of Colel Chabad. For many families, this was a rare opportunity to step away from their complex realities and spend quality time together in a supportive environment.

During the three days, a wide range of activities took place, including trampolines for the children, circus shows, multimedia games, Chanukah parties, singing, and dancing. There were also workshops for mothers and open heart-to-heart discussions. Alongside the activities, a high-end gift fair was held where every child chose a toy as a holiday present, and elaborate meals were served throughout the day.

To accommodate the large numbers, the 700 guests were split into three groups, with each enjoying a full itinerary rich in content. This retreat serves as the pinnacle of Chesed Menachem Mendel’s year-round work with hundreds of widows and orphans. Rabbi Mendy Blau from the Colel administration oversaw the retreat alongside the dedicated staff of the historic charity organization.

Beyond the formal content, the small, quiet moments were often the most meaningful. One mother shared that the children left with huge smiles and a wealth of new experiences. She noted that it was refreshing to feel that they were truly being cared for.

Another mother described the experience as meticulously planned. She said the children enjoyed themselves immensely, and the mothers were moved along with them. She explained that it is hard to express just how much strength these moments provide for them to carry on.

A participant who came to the retreat for the first time with her daughter spoke about the sense of belonging. She described a warm environment where no explanations were necessary, allowing her to finally relax while her daughter was with a counselor. Another mother summarized that seeing the children’s happiness was the greatest gift of all, as they had been looking forward to the trip for weeks.

The retreat was organized by Mrs. Rachel Marton and Rabbi Moishy Kot. It concluded after three full days as families packed their suitcases and headed home. For some, it was a brief respite, while for others it was a significant bright spot during a challenging period. Yet almost everyone who left the hotel shared the same sentiment: for a few days, there was light.

Tremendous effort went into every detail of the program to maximize the experience. The event was made possible by distinguished donors led by Rabbi Eliyahu Schlossberg, in memory of his father, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Schlossberg, and in honor of his family, as part of the “Ish Yisrael” educational-social project.

Colel Chabad Director Rabbi Sholom Duchman noted that for these families, this event constitutes true holiday joy. He explained that the emotional burden on every widow is immense, and the Chanukah retreat allows them and their children to let go, rejoice, and truly enjoy the festival.