Adopt-A-Family
On October 7th the lives of the Jewish people changed forever. But, as history has shown us we
know just how rise from the ashes. We mourn, we pray and we return to a “normal”.
But in homes all across Israel grieving widows and orphans reside,
broken families that will never have their normal back.
-The War of Iron Swords left a gaping hole in the IDF.
To date there currently are:
Over 250 widows
Over 550 orphans
-The Israeli Ministry of Defense is the authority
that supports IDF widows and IDF-trained
local emergency teams.
-The National Insurance Institute is the authority
that supports (to a lesser degree) widows
of civilian victims of terrorist attacks.
-Ministry of Defense data accurate as of 05.09.2024
-The loss of a spouse leaves a surviving
spouse having to deal with a myriad of complex situations all while
trying to process their tremendous grief.
Summoning strength to bear the responsibility
of raising their children now as a single parent in
the fog of their own personal devastation.
-Although the support of the aforementioned government institutions
is significant, it does not sufficiently provide for the unique needs creating by
a heartbreaking situation of this magnitude.
Ministry of Defense for IDF
support for widows:
-A monthly stipend that is auto paid : NIS 9,000 ($2400) and NIS 1,000 ($268) for each child
under 21 years of age.
-Reimbursements for emotional welfare assistance are subject to conditions defined by the Ministry of Defense.
-Certain health expense reimbursements are also subject to conditions of the Ministry of Defense.
-A one time grant for the purchase of a first apartment: NIS 200,000 ($53,540).
-A grant for the purchase of a car: NIS 68,000 ($18,200) + a loan : NIS 87,000 ($23,300).
-An additional to change a car once every four years :NIS 52,000 ($14,000) + a loan of NIS 25,000 ($6,700).
-Grant for bachelor’s degree studies,
for driving studies and more.
-A one-time grant in the initial period
after the tragedy to the amount
of NIS 12,000 ($3200)
(A full list can be found on the Ministry of Defense website)
The issues:
-The government institutions in charge of the assistance
to widows are subject to the limitations, pre-defined criteria and endless bureaucracy.
-Each widow has different needs that she and her family require.
The system does not have the ability to adapt to individuals.
-Food, utilities, fuel, housekeeping, babysitting and other expenses.
-Government bureaucracy and red tape often leads to exhaustion,
which no widow can afford.
-Israel was not prepared for an event of this magnitude
and the loss of so many HYD.
Processing the sheer amount of claims takes an inordinate amount of time.
They simply cannot keep up.
Our Goal:
-To connect each family to it’s own community.
This community will adopt said family providing both financial
and emotional support.
-Providing a comprehensive response and real time support for
the changing needs of each individual family.
-Ensuring no family is left alone. This includes keeping in touch via consistent phone calls and FaceTimes . Offering real familial like support. Each family will know they have am entire community behind them as their own family.
-Assistance in Claiming Rights. Obtaining detailed information
about the rights and grants the families are entitled to and exercising them.
Method
-Establishing a long term relationship between
the widow her children and each individual community
-Clearly defining the personal needs of each family
and forming a plan for their unique needs.
-Providing ongoing responses to regular needs while transferring
the aid directly from the community to the widow – without intermediaries
-Personal assistance and guidance from Shlomit, our family liason.
-Maintaining regular contact and emotional support between
the community representative and the widow.
Key issues that aren’t addressed by government assistance
-Day to day help
-Help running and maintaining the household
-Small indulgences that create positive energy
-Organizing family events and preparing for chagim
Day to day help
-Help getting the kids ready in the morning
-Preparing weekday meals
-Shabbat meals
-Regular house cleaning
-Laundry
-Ironing
-Parental guidance
-Babysitting
-Tutoring
-Help with homework
-Help with the children in the evenings
-Transportation to and from extracurricular activities/therapy
-Shopping for groceries
Help running and
maintaining the household
-Fixing stuff around the house
-Refurbishing the house
-Replacing furniture and electrical appliances
-Tuition Assistance
-Rent/Mortgage Assistance
-Assistance with car related matters – regular maintenance, yearly MOT, buying a new car
-Obtaining information about claiming rights from different governmental
institutions and organizations
-Help with claiming refunds
-Financial guidance relating to household budget/investments
Organizing family events
and preparing for chagim
-First day of school
-Chagim (Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Succot)
-Chanuka
-Purim
-Pesach
-Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut
-Shavuot
-Summer holidays
(Budget for food, clothes, catering, holiday/day trip,
additional help with cleaning/babysitters)
-Brit/Shalom Bat
-Bar/Batmitzva
-Birthdays
-Weddings
-Annual memorial service/Azkara
Small indulgences that
create positive energy
-Mind-body treatments such as: reflexology, shiatsu, massage
-Extracurricular activities and workshops
-Holidays
-Help finding positive engagement or activities
-Going out for coffee
-New clothes
-Shopping vouchers
-Flowers/cake for Shabbat
-Presents for the chag
On a personal note…
I am Shlomit Peretz, wife of Eliraz Peretz who was a deputy battalion commander in the Golani Brigade
who was killed in Gaza 14 years ago. At that time we had four children aged 6,4,2 and 3 months.
The help that we received from the Ministry of Defense was considerable but insufficient.
Trying to raise four young children while running the house alone and heartbroken was unbearable.
Even when I was entitled to receive reimbursements for various expenses, I was simply too exhausted and unable
to handle the required bureaucracy, and simply gave up.
Today, thank G-d, I’m seeing our children grow up, and yet, in some ways, the struggle is just beginning.
From my difficult and unimaginable experience,
I can say that Tzvika’s project will be a lifeline for the orphans and widows.
The partnership with the communities will bring light and hope into our lives and above all strength and faith
to deal with the loss and bereavement of our loved ones.
I believe that this project has the potential for creating a unique and
strong relationship between the bereaved families whose partners gave their lives
for the Jewish people and the State of Israel and the communities that will support the families
and take a substantial and meaningful part in their journey forward.
