Annual Report 2025

We are honored to share some of the stories of the orphaned children, teens, and young adults we support. Each story has been thoughtfully written to protect the identity of our beneficiaries and is shared with their permission, giving a glimpse into how they continue to move forward despite unimaginable trauma and loss.

1. Supporting a Family of Nine Orphaned Children

The R. family, a household of nine children in the city of Ofakim, experienced a devastating loss on the morning of October 7th, when their father was tragically murdered while on his way to early holiday prayers at the synagogue. He had been a devoted caregiver, especially to his eldest daughter, T., who has lived with physical and cognitive disabilities since birth. Since that day, T.’s condition has worsened. She stopped working at her accessible workplace, which her father used to drive her to, and as her physical health declined, she was hospitalized. The murder of their father left the nine siblings carrying profound grief while stepping into the many roles their father once held. Support from the Israeli Children’s Fund has addressed the needs of each child while strengthening the family as a whole. The family received a wide range of assistance, including Rehabilitation and Resilience Grants, Life Milestone Grants, and practical support. Medical equipment for T., allowing her to remain at home rather than in the hospital and a vehicle for brother N., enabling him to transport T. to medical treatments and assist with household responsibilities are two examples. ​ The family shares: “Since October 7th, we have felt embraced by the organization, led by our amazing Family Coordinators, Hila and Tom. From the moment we met them, it has felt as if we became one family. They share our complex situation, help in any way they can, advise, and support us in everything we need.” “For T., a pressure-relief mattress has helped with her chronic pressure sores. S., 11, attends drawing and music classes that are therapeutic, empowering, and socially enriching — she never misses a lesson. N. loves her sewing class and has even made clothes for herself. You have no idea what these activities mean to the children — instead of medications or psychologists, these experiences give them so much.” “Above all, the family vacation during Passover, with activities for everyone, and the summer vacation for the girls to recharge for the next school year… everything was given with joy and love, as if we were the only family in the organization. We are endlessly grateful for this incredible support.”  

2. Supporting a Young Mother and Her Newborn Through Loss and Early Parenthood

  A young couple was expecting their first baby. In the final months of her pregnancy, the woman’s partner went to the Nova music festival with friends, where he was murdered — never having the chance to meet his daughter. After his murder, she returned to live with her parents, and while on maternity leave, she was unable to work. Since the baby’s birth, the Israeli Children’s Fund has stepped in to support both mother and child — meeting the baby’s needs while helping the mother work toward financial stability. Support included sleep consultation for baby A., essential baby equipment, and mother-and-baby classes that allowed K. to return to work. The mother shares, “Thanks to your assistance, I was able to get professional sleep consulting for A., which helped us immensely (you saved me countless hours of bedtime struggles and frustration). We also participated in developmental classes and activities, and not to mention all the help I received from the childcare helper. This support gives us moments of routine, joy, and a chance to breathe during this challenging period. You are part of our journey, and my heart is full of appreciation and gratitude for the generosity and love you give to us and to other families as well.”  

3. Music as a Source of Comfort Helping Teen Navigate His Mother’s Loss

  B., a teenager from a city in central Israel, lost his mother when she was tragically murdered on the road in southern Israel on October 7th. Now preparing to begin his final year of high school, he has shown remarkable resilience—finishing 11th grade with outstanding achievements and top scores on his exams. ​ In the wake of his loss, B . turned to music as a source of comfort and expression. His father shared that after October 7th, B. began learning to play the guitar and quickly found how meaningful it became to him. Since then, he has received lessons from an inspiring teacher, joined a band with friends, started releasing original songs, and performs with his school’s music group. The opportunity to purchase a guitar and receive private lessons was made possible through a Rehabilitation and Resilience Grant from the Israeli Children’s Fund. This support has allowed B. to deepen his passion for music—empowering him through creativity and inspiring connection in everyone who listens to the music he creates. ​ Beyond receiving financial support, B .’s father shares the impact of working with our dedicated Family Coordinators, “I want to thank the organization’s liaisons, who, as I believe, are doing sacred work by guiding and supporting the bereaved families. When I have spoken with other victims who have not yet managed to recover, they share that often interactions with such topics can bring them back to their grief, and even with the best of intentions can bring negativity and pull them down. However, your ability to stay strong shows them light and hope, bringing them out of this place. Thank you.”  

4. Horses, Healing and Hope

A., a Bedouin mother of two, lost her husband on October 7th when he was murdered while working on the Gaza border. She experienced early challenges communicating with liaisons from state institutions unfamiliar with Bedouin culture. Through her determination, she led her family from a deep crisis — where they were afraid to leave the house — to a gradual return to normalcy. Today, her son plays in a sports club and her daughter excels in school, though gaps in therapy and education remain. ​ Their liaison met with A. weekly, both in person and on Zoom, helping her prioritize needs from financial stability to emotional support. One breakthrough came when the liaison located a nearby therapeutic horseback riding center, reigniting an activity her children loved but had to give up due to distance. ​ In her request for support, A. wrote: “My daughter experienced a profound loss when her father was murdered. She has struggled with sadness, confusion, and inner distress, often unable to put her feelings into words. Over time, I’ve seen her deep connection to animals — especially horses. Being with horses brings her calm, security, and release, giving her a safe emotional space to relax, open up, and experience moments of joy and serenity. This is not just leisure; it is a therapeutic tool that can significantly strengthen her mental health, self-esteem, and sense of belonging.”  

5. Young Woman Receives Support in Pursuit of her Academic Dreams

T, from Ofakim, was raised by a single mother without any father figure. On October 7th, at 21 years and 10 months old, her mother was murdered by terrorists in a minibus in Sderot during an organized trip, outside a locked bomb shelter. Suddenly, T. was left without her only anchor in life. Through support from the Israeli Children’s Fund Rehabilitation and Resilience Grants, she has pursued activities to strengthen her mental and physical well-being. T. has also received a Higher Education Grant, and over the past year, worked tirelessly to gain acceptance into the academic program she had set her sights on. ​ T. shares, “On October 7th, I lost my mother. I had no father before, so I was left completely alone at a young age. The state wasn’t there for me—but you were. The Israeli Children’s Fund supported me after the incident, helping me recover and giving me the tools to continue my life and heal from the disaster. Thanks to your help in every area of life, I even enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program, which for me is no small thing. Thank you for being there for me and giving me someone to turn to.”

6. A Bride’s Pre-Wedding Ceremony of Remembrance

A young adult lost her father when he was kidnapped and murdered by Hamas during the events of October 7th. She was preparing for her wedding – one of life’s most joyous milestones- and now faced the heartbreaking reality of walking down the aisle without her beloved father by her side. Although nothing could fill the void of not having him there, or at future celebrations, she sought a way to transform her pain into a meaningful opportunity to honor his memory. To do so, she decided to host a women’s gathering ahead of her wedding—a Jewish ceremony centered on remembrance, connection, and healing. The Israeli Children’s Fund supported her through a Wedding Grant, helping her both celebrate her wedding and create a pre-wedding ceremony, a space where she could draw strength and pay tribute to her father in a deeply personal way. She shares: “Instead of having my father walk me down the aisle, I am left with an immense void. This ceremony allowed me, together with the women of my family and my friends, to surround myself with light, remember him, speak about him, cry and smile—and turn the pain into strength.” She adds, “For me, it is not ‘just another pre-wedding event’—it is a deep ceremony that allows me to pause amidst all the excitement and give real space to my loss. It is an opportunity to remember my father not only through sadness but also through life—collecting the parts of him that live within me and carrying them into this new chapter I am creating.”

7. Having the Means to Carry On a Father’s Legacy

On October 7th, a father was tragically murdered at the Nova Festival, leaving behind his wife and their two sons in their early 20s, along with the business he had built. In the midst of profound grief, the two brothers chose to honor their father’s legacy by taking over his business—both to support their family and to find shared purpose during the difficult time. ​ The work requires frequent travel and reliable transportation. Y., the younger brother, had been relying on a 16-year-old car that frequently broke down, creating safety risks. To help Y. gain safe, reliable access to work, and to foster his professional and personal independence, the Israeli Children’s Fund provided him with a grant to purchase a vehicle. Y. shares, “The grant allowed me to buy a car that suits my needs, which also enabled me to be more independent and take a more active role in the business.”

8. Supporting an Immigrant Family to Reconnect and Heal

The L. family immigrated to Israel from Ukraine in 2022, seeking to build a beautiful life in Israel. Tragically, conflict followed them from one country to another: Y., just 5 years old at the time, lost his father on October 7th, when he was murdered while fishing at Zikim Beach. Y. was his father’s only son, and they shared a deep bond. The loss weighed heavily on both Y. and his mother. With ongoing wars in Ukraine and Israel, the L. family had been separated from close relatives abroad for a long time. With few connections in Israel and after enduring so much trauma, the need and desire to be close to family became even more urgent. Understanding the unique challenges this family faced—as new immigrants navigating cultural differences and coping with trauma from two wars, we supported Y. and his mother in utilizing one of our Rehabilitaion and Resilience Grants to travel abroad to spend quality time with their relatives. About a year and a half after October 7th, they were finally able to make the journey. His mother shares, “Thanks to the support, Y. was able to meet his relatives—a tremendously important experience for him during this period. The meetings strengthened his sense of support and family connection, and reminded him that he is not alone, but part of a large, loving family. He spent precious moments with his uncle, the brother of his late father, as well as with other family members. He now carries positive emotions and is in lifted spirits.”