IDFWO

Through Grief and Hope: Why Israel’s Widows and Orphans Must Never Stand Alone

A Letter from Yossi Cohen, former head of the Mossad and President of the IDFWO International Friends Association.

Yossi Cohen
Max August and IDFWO CEO Shomi Nahumson at the IDFWO 2025 Academic Scholarship Event in Tel Aviv.

Pairing with A Lifeline of Giving: Max August Stands with Israel’s Widows and Orphans

Athar Aboreesh worked as a counselor on the IDFWO’s Superheroes Trip.

From Yarka to New York: An IDF Orphan’s Journey of Healing

The Yeger Family

Holidays in the Shadow of Loss: An empty chair, a broken heart


From Loss to Launch: Opening Doors to Hi-Tech Careers for IDF Orphans and Widows

The IDFWO 'Bonim Atid' program empowers widows and orphans to change careers and shape the next chapter of their lives.

Bonim Atid event at Google in Tel Aviv.

Battle at Be'eri: One unit’s darkest hour

MATPA, the Israeli Police's elite combat unit, lost seven fighters and its commander in the battle for Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7.Two years on, their widows share their voices of loss and resilience

Wives of police commandos of the ‘MATPA’ unit who were killed in Kibbutz Be'eri

Two years without closure

Yaffa’s battle to bring Lior Rudaeff home.

Hadas Adar, Saphir Zohav Hamami, Yaffa Rudaeff, and Ela Haimi are all waiting for the return of their husbands’ bodies from Gaza

First they lost their husbands - then their homes were hit by Iranian missiles

Supported by IDFWO, these women face down a second tragedy with strength, sorrow, and a deep sense of purpose.

Rotem Blohman with her husband Yakir, z”l and children Koren and Imri.

Rabbi Marvin Hier at Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem: “God doesn’t want to run the world alone”

Co-Chairman of the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem spoke at Yom HaZikaron Memorial, shared a message of faith and resilience

Left to right: Rabbi Marvin Hier, Yossi Cohen, Danny Danon, and Larry A. Mizel.

Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem Chairman: “A time to mourn. To remember. To honor."

Chairman Larry A. Mizel spoke at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem's Yom HaZikaron Memorial, urged to keep the memory of the fallen and build unity

 Larry A. Mizel, Chairman of the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem, speaking at the Yom HaZikaron Memorial at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem.

IDF Widows and Orphans inspire hope and resilience at Miami Summit

“Together, we can build a brighter, stronger future,” says CEO Shlomi Nahumson.

Michal Zmora at Miami Summit: "the story is the ability to be a hero who defends your family, your country, and yourself without losing your humanity.”

Bahamas poker tournament raises nearly $140,000 for IDF widows and orphans

The tournament raised $120,000, with an additional $20,000 contributed by Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, and other donors, bringing the total to nearly $140,000.

 Bahamas poker tournament raises nearly $140,000 for IDF widows and orphans

Born into tragedy: A war widow’s unimaginable journey of loss, survival, and hope

Ela Chaimi from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, symbolizes the cost of conflict and the strength required to rebuild after unimaginable loss.

 Ela Chaimi and her four children at the Otzma Summer camp in Paphos, August 2024. Credit:

Shlomi Nahumson and Tami Shelach: Leading the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization

IDF Widows and Orphans Organization is the only Israeli organization that supports IDF widows and veterans. “The families continue to live with their loss, and we need to remember and support them".

 Tami Shelach and Shlomi Nahumson, December 2023.

President Herzog opens emotional widows and orphans magazine with letter

 President Herzog