Published in The Media Line (Original article)
Panel of IDF widows featuring (left to right) Talia Vitzen, Muna Abdullah, Reishit Tzor, Michal Rein, Revital Shamir, Lior Shani, and Yael Neeman. (Courtesy)
Grieving families find solidarity and support as Knesset members honor the sacrifice and resilience of those affected by the Gaza conflict
The OneFamily organization hosted a special event on May 27 in support of widows and orphans who lost their loved ones on October 7 and during the ensuing war in Gaza. Members of the Israeli Parliament met with dozens of families who lost their loved ones to express their unwavering gratitude and unequivocal solidarity.
The Media Line joined the families during the event to witness this moment of unification between the ministers and those directly affected by the war.
OneFamily’s co-founder and board chair, Marc Belzberg, explained that the event was organized to provide Knesset members with an opportunity to show honor, respect, and gratitude to women who have been widowed since the start of the war. He highlighted that approximately 300 women have lost their spouses in the nearly eight months since the war began.
“It’s a huge number for the state of Israel percentage-wise. Today was a day for ministers to express their condolences and thanks to them,” Belzberg explained.
Chantal Belzberg, OneFamily’s CEO, shared with The Media Line that gathering women together was challenging.
Don’t forget, we’re still in the middle of the war. Many of the widows have given birth. Many of them still don’t live in a home. Think about all the widows from the kibbutzim and communities around Gaza. Nothing is secure there. Many widows are very angry with the government.
“Many widows just need their husbands and don’t need thanks. It was tough to get them to come,” she admitted.
“Don’t forget, we’re still in the middle of the war. Many of the widows have given birth. Many of them still don’t live in a home. Think about all the widows from the kibbutzim and communities around Gaza. Nothing is secure there. Many widows are very angry with the government,” Chantal added.
The Belzbergs emphasized that the Fund wanted to reassure the widows that they, along with their husbands and families, are regarded as heroes on behalf of the country. For years to come, the people of Israel will learn about their greatness, their sacrifice, and what they have done for the Jewish people.
Limor Son Har-Melech, a member of the Knesset for the Otzma Yehudit party, also emphasized the importance of the event.
MK Limor Son Har-Melech hosting the event at the Knesset. (Courtesy)
“It is a conference of solidarity and appreciation. Its purpose is to give strength and support, to bring forward the solidarity of the widows and orphans of this war, and to tell their stories,” she said to The Media Line.
Although the event aimed to bring ministers and members of the Knesset together with the widows and orphans of the war, One Family Fund faced challenges from the government side.
“The government called a session this morning. As a result, many of the people who were expected to be here to address the audience either didn’t come or came for two minutes and had to go back,” Marc Belzberg explained.
Belzberg expressed his complete understanding of the government, saying that the ministers indeed have operations to run. “We’re here to help the government. It’s also very important for us and for OneFamily supporters to hear recognition for what we do,” said his wife, Chantal.
In a moment of great courage, the widows who attended the event bravely shared their stories of love, loss, and resilience, providing comfort and solidarity to others facing similar grief.
Michal Rein, the widow of Aryeh Rein, shared her story with The Media Line. She and her husband were married for ten years and have three girls: Shaked is 9 years old, and the twins, Geffen and Carmel, are 6.
“Five months ago, Aryeh was on a critical mission to find out any information on women who were kidnapped and held hostage in Gaza. During this mission, he was a commander in the tank. Hamas shot two RPGs, and he was immediately killed inside the tank,” Rein said.
She said that the family had celebrated their twins’ birthday just a week before. “We just moved to a new house in Kibbutz Mishmarot, and my husband got to be in our house three times. I think he felt that we were good and happy and could make it our home.”
Rein shared that the OneFamily event is meaningful to her. The support and understanding she feels here make it easier for her to go through the pain.
Son Har-Melech is a widow of the conflict herself in addition to being in the Knesset. She shared her personal perspective on the tragedy.
This morning, when I realized that the terrorist who killed my husband was killed, I felt released from the thought that he will kill more Jews. He cannot cause any more people to go through so much suffering as we did. That makes me happy.
“This morning, when I realized that the terrorist who killed my husband was killed, I felt released from the thought that he will kill more Jews. He cannot cause any more people to go through so much suffering as we did. That makes me happy. Also,” she added, “that our enemies know we will reach them.”
Another widow attending the event was Talia Haber. She told The Media Line that Hamas killed her husband, Zechariah Pesach Haber, in January. Haber has three little children.
“Hearing from other moms what it’s like for them to go through it is very hard.” She added, however, that it has been very interesting to hear from the Knesset and learn about their initiatives in meeting with other families in a similar situation.
“As an American, the concept of the entire country and community supporting a grieving military family is something very foreign to me, and it is truly beautiful in Israel.”
The heart-breaking gathering also marked the launch of the book “Puppy-Love,” which explores themes of grief and the process of coping with loss.
I think it’s important to speak about the pain, to be in it, not just to let it go.
Moriah Haviv, the author of “Puppy-Love,” shared with The Media Line that the book is written to help children cope with the traumatic experiences they have faced.
“I think it’s important to speak about the pain, to be in it, not just to let it go. The book helps kids feel it and speak about it. Furthermore, I think it offers them ideas on how to express and overcome grief,” she said.
Members of Knesset who attended the event also shared their thoughts on the country’s military situation with The Media Line.
Batya Wineberg (second from left), OneFamily’s Northern Region Coordinator, with Muna Abdullah (third from left), widow of fallen IDF soldier Alim Abdullah, and her family. (Courtesy)
“We must know this cruel enemy, who acts unbelievably. It’s an evil that we don’t even know how to understand. Today, when we come to negotiate with this devil, with this evil, with this darkness, we need to know that we stand in a weak position,” said Son Har-Melech about Hamas.
“We didn’t choose this war. But there is an enemy, and if we don’t fight it and destroy it, then in the end, we won’t be here. We have a war for our existence. The world needs to understand this,” she added.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir shared with The Media Line the message he wants to send to Americans and Europeans.
“They need to know that we are fighting for everyone. We are fighting against Jihad, against Hamas, against the people who want to harm us today and tomorrow in every democratic country,” he said.
Marc and Chantal Belzberg discussed how society can support widows and orphans who are victims of the war through this harsh reality.
“You can do a thousand things if you become creative about it. Every little bit shows these people that it’s not just them; they’re fighting for all of us, not just for themselves, and that we recognize the sacrifice they’ve made on behalf of all the people of Israel. We appreciate it, and we thank them for it,” said Marc Belzberg.
The OneFamily organization arose in the aftermath of the Sbarro restaurant suicide bombing in 2001 and ever since has been offering assistance to victims of terror.
