From War in Ukraine to Conflict in Israel: The Resilience of Young Refugees in Ashkelon

What was meant to be a refuge from the ravages of war has instead become a frontline for survival for thousands of Ukrainians who sought peace in Israel. Escaping the Russian invasion of their homeland, these refugees, primarily comprising women, children, and the elderly, could hardly foresee the challenges awaiting them.

Among these refugees, four determined teenagers found themselves in Israel, a far cry from the familiar comforts of home, uprooted by the conflict that began on February 24, 2022. They now attend a boarding school just 8 miles from Gaza, placing them unexpectedly close to another conflict zone.

Artem Karpin, an 18-year-old student at Kfar Silver, a youth village near Ashkelon, reflects on the stark contrast between the peace of the previous day and the sudden violence of October 7, triggered by a Hamas attack. Originally in Israel to visit family, the invasion back home forced him to remain, a decision that left him feeling abandoned and betrayed.

Managed by World ORT, a global education charity, Kfar Silver serves as a haven for 1,090 children from various challenging backgrounds, including 250 boarders. Here, Karpin tried to make the best of his new life, learning the language and making new friends—until war upended his life once again.

On that fateful morning, Karpin, along with 62 other pupils, including 18-year-old Michael Reider from Kyiv, found sanctuary in the school's shelters. Reider, who had made a grueling escape from Ukraine to Poland before reaching Israel, faced his second invasion with a mixture of anger and readiness to fight.

The school's CEO, Amos Gofer, a veteran with 25 years in the IDF, described October 7 as one of the toughest days of his professional life. With the area under severe threat and delayed responses from authorities, the staff and students faced immense uncertainty.

An urgent evacuation was organized, and Karpin, among others, grabbed only essentials before heading to a safer location in the north. After a brief stint considering safety in Europe, Karpin felt compelled to return to Israel, drawn back by his academic commitments and friendships.

Maria, a 17-year-old from Kharkiv, experienced war's disruption twice—first in Ukraine, and then in Israel. During the attack, she was staying with a host family due to a religious holiday, which quickly turned into a frantic rush to safety at the sound of sirens. Opting to remain in Israel with her brother, Maria chose the potential of a stable life over the uncertainty of returning to a war-torn Ukraine.

As Kfar Silver returns to near-full operation, the school community, supported by counselors and psychologists, navigates the mental and emotional scars of conflict. Despite the challenges, students like Maria and Reider look towards futures potentially in international relations or other fields, their aspirations shaped by their profound experiences of conflict and survival.