A new camp for ailing children, called Jordan River Village, which belongs to deceased legendary actor Paul Newman's "Association of Hole in the Wall Camps," opened on Wednesday in the country's Lower Galilee region. The Jordan River Village is one of several villages collectively known as the "Association of Hole in the Wall Camps," founded by Newman, which according to its Internet page (www.holeinthewallcamps.org) operates camps that are "designed to create positive recreational experiences where children with serious illnesses are understood and accepted." The village is open to children between the ages of 9 and 18 who are terminally ill, or suffer from genetically-based or chronic diseases. The camp's area includes 245 dunams (60 acres), and the cost of its establishment totalled NIS 100 million ($28 million), most of which came from donations. According to the Internet page, the aim of the camps is as follows: "With hope of enhancing efforts toward peace in the region, Jordan River Village in Israel will provide a traditional camp experience to children on both sides of the river." Chairman of the "Jordan River Village," Israeli actor Haim Topol, visited the camp site Wednesday, and said the camp was one of 14 camps worldwide belonging to the "Association of Hole in the Wall Camps," and the first in the Middle East. "Our intention is to have children from neighboring countries enjoy the facilities here as well," Topol said.
