What is the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization and what is its main purpose?
The IDF Widows and Orphans Organization is a vital non-profit organization, established in 1991, that operates with a noble goal: to support, strengthen, and empower the widows, widowers, and orphans of IDF soldiers and security forces. We operate under the authority of the Families of Soldiers Killed in Action Law and are committed to ensuring that you are never alone in coping with bereavement. Our primary goal is to create a supportive and embracing community for you, providing you with emotional security for years to come and helping you grow from the pain. We understand the magnitude of the loss and the deep need for ongoing support, and therefore we are here for you, at all times.
In what diverse ways does the organization provide initial practical and emotional support to bereaved families?
We at the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization understand that bereavement brings with it many and varied needs, both practically and emotionally. Therefore, we offer a wide range of activities and services designed to provide you with a comprehensive response and holistic support, from the very first moments and all the way through. We are the only official body in Israel dedicated entirely to the welfare of bereaved families – not only of the IDF, but also of the police, the Shin Bet, the Mossad, the Prison Service, and civilian emergency forces, which ensures that we are the most central and professional address for you. Since our founding, we have accompanied thousands of families who have lost loved ones during their service and defense of the State of Israel.
We operate on several levels to ensure you receive the best possible support:
Financial and Practical Assistance: We know that loss can bring significant financial difficulties. Therefore, we provide grants, scholarships, and personalized financial assistance to ease the financial burden and allow you to focus on emotional coping. We are here to ensure that you can continue to function and provide for the basic needs of yourself and your family, without unnecessary worries.
Individual and Group Support: Bereavement is a personal journey, but it is not necessary to go through it alone. We offer individual support by a professional and dedicated team, who accompany you step by step, listen to you, and provide you with tools for coping. In addition, we hold support groups where you can share experiences with others who have experienced a similar loss, find a listening ear, feel belonging, and understand that you are not alone in your struggle. These meetings create a safe space for sharing, identification, and mutual support, which are so vital in the grieving process.
Workshops, Enrichment Classes, and Vacations: We believe it is important to allow you moments of respite, learning, and growth. Therefore, we organize various workshops, enrichment classes, and vacations throughout the country. These activities provide you with an opportunity to get out of routine, acquire new tools, develop interests, and meet other people from our community in a light and supportive atmosphere. These are moments that allow you to unwind, recharge, and experience moments of joy and hope, even in the midst of difficulty.
Summer Camps for Children: Orphaned children need special support, and we take care to provide it to them. We organize dedicated summer camps for orphaned children and youth, combining fun, educational, and supportive activities. In these camps, children can experience childhood as normally as possible, meet children in their situation, share experiences, and create meaningful connections. This is a safe and empowering framework that helps them cope with loss, develop emotional resilience, and build positive memories.
Community Events: We believe in the power of community and the importance of a sense of belonging. Therefore, we hold various community events throughout the year, allowing you to meet, connect, and strengthen the bonds between you. These events, from memorial ceremonies to social gatherings, create a sense of extended family, where everyone feels belonging, loved, and supported.
Emotional Support and Response to Unique Needs: We understand that every family is a world of its own, and each has its own unique needs. Therefore, we provide personalized emotional support and respond to specific needs that arise from each family. The organization's staff is available to listen, advise, and assist in finding solutions, with sensitivity and a deep understanding of the situation. We are here to ensure that you receive the most accurate support for you, at every stage and in every situation.
Through these tools and activities, we aim to provide you with a broad safety net that will allow you to cope with the loss, continue with your lives, and grow from the difficulty, knowing that you are not alone. We are committed to being your mainstay, providing you with the practical and emotional support you need, and building a strong and supportive community to accompany you for years to come.
How does the organization foster a long-term community and work to ensure the future rights and welfare of families?
Beyond the immediate and diverse support, we at the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization see paramount importance in fostering a long-term community that will provide you with emotional security and a sense of belonging for many years to come. We work tirelessly to ensure your rights and future welfare, understanding that the effects of bereavement accompany you throughout your lives.
Building a Community Based on Mutual Responsibility: We believe in the power of community and the importance of mutual responsibility. We create spaces and meetings that allow you, as bereaved families, to connect with each other, share experiences, support one another, and build deep relationships. These relationships become a social and emotional safety net, accompanying you for many years, and strengthening the understanding that you are not alone in coping.
Democratic Representation and Public Influence: The organization's leadership is elected democratically by the members every four years. These representatives, who are themselves widows, widowers, and orphans, lead the organization's activities, formulate policy recommendations, and represent you faithfully before the Ministry of Defense, the government, and the Knesset. We operate actively in the public and parliamentary arena, submitting proposals to improve regulations and laws and working to ensure your rights and welfare. We are a strong and clear voice for you, and ensure that your needs are heard and taken into account by decision-makers.
Vision of Growth from Bereavement: Our vision is to act with sensitivity, professionalism, and dedication to improve your lives, strengthen you, and help you grow from bereavement. We believe that even from the greatest loss, it is possible to find inner strengths and build meaningful lives. We emphasize the mutual responsibility of Israeli society towards bereaved families, and convey a clear message to you – you are not alone. We are here to accompany you in the growth process, provide you with tools and support, and help you find the way forward.
Values Guiding Our Path: Our activity is based on leading values:
- Community: Creating a sense of belonging and extended family.
- Partnership: Working together with you and for you.
- Strength: Strengthening your inner strengths and empowering you.
- Diversity: Providing a tailored response to the unique needs of each family.
- Growth: Assisting in personal and family development from loss.
The president of the organization is Yossi Cohen, former head of the Mossad, and the organization also has international ambassadors and supporters who recognize the importance of our work. We invite you to visit the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization website to learn more about our activities and receive additional information. We work tirelessly to ensure that your rights are protected, that your welfare is at the top of the priority list, and that you always feel part of a supportive and loving community. We are here, with you, all the way. For more information about the range of services and activities we offer, you are welcome to visit our website idfwo.org/. We are here for you, to accompany you in every need and at every stage.
What is the unique contribution of the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization to Israeli society and bereaved families?
In conclusion, the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization is a central anchor and support for you, families who have lost loved ones in the defense of the State of Israel. Its unique contribution lies in its ability to provide you with comprehensive support, practical assistance, and a deep sense of belonging, while creating a strong and embracing community. We work tirelessly to ensure your rights and the recognition you deserve from Israeli society as a whole. We are proud that President Yossi Cohen, former head of the Mossad, heads the organization, and of the support of international ambassadors and supporters, who strengthen our position and allow us to continue to serve you with dedication. We are committed to continuing to be your home, the place where you will always find a listening ear, help, and unwavering support.