Bereaved families

Sometimes healing begins with movement

In my daily encounters with bereaved families, it becomes clear again and again that grief does not remain only in the heart. It is very present in the body as well.

Movement and physical activity play a meaningful role in coping with loss.
Laly Derai (R) and Liat Smadga, co-hosts and bereaved mothers: ‘Tonight, we stand here together with one shared wish: to keep moving forward, to carry their memory with us, and to build a more connected, united, and whole Israeli society.’

OneFamily brings 1,000 bereaved Israelis together for Remembrance Day

IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon on April 25, 2026.

IDF to present findings of investigation into Israelis entering Bint Jbail's active warzone

Eli Sharabi was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack and survived 491 days in Hamas captivity.

Former Gaza hostage Eli Sharabi reflects on Independence Day, family loss


Bereaved families to join Knesset debate with Netanyahu on inquiry into Oct. 7 failures

The October Council, made up of hundreds of families affected by the October 7 Hamas attacks, will attend the debate and call for a state commission of inquiry in a press conference beforehand.

Bereaved families attend a Knesset hearing, September 14, 2025.

Navigating the death of a loved one: Each person’s grief is their own - opinion

It is important to acknowledge that each person’s grief is his or her own. As such, it does not help to compare one person’s loss to another’s.

‘IT IS important to acknowledge that each person’s grief is his or her own.’

Shamir Medical Center CEO joins bereaved Israeli mothers on healing journey in Uganda

Prof. Osnat Levtzion-Korach joins Journey 4Hope’s mission to support mothers who lost sons in the Iron Swords War.

Prof. Osnat Levtzion-Korach with bereaved mothers on the Uganda journey

From struggle to mourning: The painful transition of hostages’ families - opinion

The bodies will return, and the struggle that kept them alive for two years will end. And then the real, terrible task will begin: transitioning to mourning.

PEOPLE EMBRACE next to a banner with photos of captives at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on October 9, 2025.

A nation of one: From personal tragedy to national mourning on Simchat Torah - opinion

We are part of an ongoing circle of life; no one individual in this circle is more “central” than anyone else.

SGT. ARI WEISS: ‘The image of Ari lifting that heavy Torah high above his head and dancing with it is forever imprinted on my soul.’

Defense Ministry: 1,152 soldiers fallen since October 7, over 40% were under age 21

Since Oct. 7, 1,152 Israeli soldiers have fallen, with over 40% under 21 years old, the Defense Ministry said, adding that more than 6,500 family members have joined Israel’s circle of bereavement.

Bereaved families, friends and Israeli soldiers visit the graves of fallen soldier during Memorial Day which commemorates the fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem on April 30, 2025.

Bereaved siblings of fallen soldiers express lack of gov't support to Knesset panel

The siblings of fallen soldiers expressed that they require further government support, similar to what widows or parents receive.

Bereaved families, friends and Israeli soldiers visit the graves of fallen soldier during Memorial Day which commemorates the fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem on April 30, 2025.