Singer Idan Amedi, injured in Gaza, performs for bereaved kids
‘Fauda’ actor and songwriter returns to stage for the first time since being wounded a year ago, sings at One Family Hanukkah camp
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Singer and actor Idan Amedi, who was seriously wounded during his reserve duty in Gaza last year, performed for hundreds of bereaved kids at a Hanukkah winter camp in southern Israel.
Amedi arrived by helicopter at the One Family three-day Hanukkah camp held at Kibbutz Revivim in the Negev, surprising the 400 campers between ages eight and 18, each one of whom lost a parent or sibling to a terror attack or war.
Amedi, 35, who starred in “Fauda,” became a war hero after he was severely injured in an explosion on January 8 that also killed six members of his Israel Defense Forces unit.
The singer recently released his first single since recovering, titled “Superman,” dedicated to the memories of his friends Alexei, Akiva, Gavriel and Eliran who were killed in Gaza.
The surprise performance marked Amedi’s first live performance since being wounded.
Amedi also lit Hanukkah candles and took photos with the campers, talking to them about his journey of recovery over the last year.
Amedi’s hour-long visit during the camp’s last full night together was an emotional highlight, said One Family founder and chairman Marc Belzberg.
“By sharing their stories and hearing from someone who has endured so much, these young people felt truly seen, supported, and inspired to continue their own journey of recovery,” he said.
The last evening of the camp is traditionally a time for participants to
openly share stories about their loved ones, if they want, and is considered the most intimate and intense time for all the campers.
