There’s no better way to spend the summer. We’ve had a wonderful, enriching experience getting to know these kids and having such a positive impact on them. They became part of our family.
host family
Open Hearts Open Homes
Open Hearts Open Homes invites Israeli teens whose lives have been forever changed due to terrorism – the loss of a loved one, living in constant fear of the next attack, not knowing life without sirens – to spend three weeks during the summer enjoying respite, home hospitality, travel camp activities, and fun with American peers.
Impact in Israel
Open Hearts Open Homes has changed the lives of families who are challenged by a traumatic past or who have suffered the impact of terrorism. By all accounts, its therapeutic value is extraordinary and helps many begin the process of psychological healing.
Impact in Northern NJ
To extend this lifeline of support and respite, Open Hearts Open Homes relies on the support of you and the entire Bergen County Jewish community.
Reflections on Summer 2021
Exciting News from Open Hearts Open Homes
Erica Danziger | THU, JUL 01, 2021Israeli teen program pivots for Summer 2021 This has been a very difficult year for us all and we wanted to update you on the Open Hearts Open Homes program…
read more
LIVE from Israel: Eyewitness Accounts
Erica Danziger | SAT, MAY 29, 2021In May, during the height of Guardian of the Walls, our northern NJ Jewish community gathered on Zoom to hear the eyewitness accounts of life in Israel. During this conflict,…
read more
Update from Israel: OHOH teens in camp!
Erica Danziger | THU, AUG 12, 2021As you’ve heard, this year’s Open Hearts Open Homes (OHOH) program is special and unique this summer. Instead of hosting teens from Israel to stay with host families in our…
read more
Shabbat in Acco
Erica Danziger | TUE, AUG 17, 2021Enjoy this “report from the field” from Elana Prezant, JCCNNJ’s Supervisor of Open Hearts Open Homes on the group’s Shabbat weekend together. On Friday, our Open Hearts Open Homes group…
read moreSponsorship Opportunities for Summer of 2022
Make a difference in an Israeli teen’s life by sponsoring an Open Hearts Open Homes teen or activity.
Please choose your level of support and click the amount to complete your online payment easily.
Prefer to pay by check?
Please make your donation out to “JCC of Northern NJ” and add “Open Hearts Open Homes” to the memo field (only) of your check.
Checks may be mailed to:
JCC of Northern NJ
450 West Nyack Road
West Nyack, NY 10994
The advance warning systems failed.
No alarms sounded.
A bomb landed in Orel’s backyard!
These are the stories we hear from the teenagers living in Israel at the border of Gaza.
We know you share with us the feelings of dread and helplessness as we hear stories of ongoing violence and terror in Israel. We visit Israel and meet young people similar in every way to our own children. These teens lives have been devastated by hatred and violence and it breaks our hearts.
But there is a way for you to make a difference. Open Hearts Open Homes is a program through the JCC of Northern NJ to help bring comfort to Israeli teens affected by terrorism to our community for the summer. Twenty teens are selected to experience hope and healing during three weeks each summer.
Please help us make this 20th summer an outstanding one for these Israeli teens, like Orel, and our community.
If you have any questions about Open Hearts Open Homes or are interested in hosting an Israeli teen this summer, please contact Elana Prezant at (201) 666-6610 ext. 3 or [email protected]
Contact Us for More Info
Blog Posts
Shabbat in Acco
Erica Danziger | TUE, AUG 17, 2021Enjoy this "report from the field" from Elana Prezant, JCCNNJ's Supervisor of Open Hearts Open Homes on the group's Shabbat weekend together. On Friday, our Open Hearts Open Homes group…
read more Update from Israel: OHOH teens in camp!
Erica Danziger | THU, AUG 12, 2021As you've heard, this year's Open Hearts Open Homes (OHOH) program is special and unique this summer. Instead of hosting teens from Israel to stay with host families in our…
read more Exciting News from Open Hearts Open Homes
Erica Danziger | THU, JUL 01, 2021Israeli teen program pivots for Summer 2021 This has been a very difficult year for us all and we wanted to update you on the Open Hearts Open Homes program…
read more LIVE from Israel: Eyewitness Accounts
Erica Danziger | SAT, MAY 29, 2021In May, during the height of Guardian of the Walls, our northern NJ Jewish community gathered on Zoom to hear the eyewitness accounts of life in Israel. During this conflict,…
read more