A Partner Left Behind – GFIDF (The Organization for Psychological Support of the Partners of Fallen IDF Soldiers) is a registered non-profit that provides bereaved partners of fallen IDF soldiers and security personnel with emotional support and a rehabilitative framework.
Our mission is to help them rebuild their lives — not in the shadow of grief, but alongside it.
Recognized by the Ministry of Defense and working in close cooperation with the IDF’s Casualties Division, GFIDF serves as the official representative body for bereaved partners and receives partial funding from the Ministry of Defense.
In 1997, Lt. Avi Book was killed at the Dla’at outpost in Lebanon, leaving behind his fiancée, Michal Heimowitz. When Michal’s family sought psychological support, they were told that because the couple had not been married, she was not recognized as a bereaved partner and was therefore entitled to no assistance.
Refusing to accept this injustice, Michal’s mother Phyllis Heimowitz and sister Tamar Heimowitz-Richter took action. Driven by a deep sense of moral responsibility, they turned to the IDF’s Manpower Directorate. They were told that if they established a non-profit organization, the Ministry of Defense would support it.
The very next day, GFIDF was founded - active continuously since 1998.
From that day forward, GFIDF has accompanied hundreds of grieving partners of fallen IDF soldiers and members of the security forces. Over the years, Rina Kahan, who lost her partner Tziki Broida in the Yom Kippur War, joined the leadership alongside Phyllis and Tamar. In 2000, Rina retired from managing GFIDF and joined its Board of Directors.
Today, Attorney Tamar Heimowitz-Richter continues to serve as Chair and Founding Member. In 2019, Attorney Adi Alon Sheinberg, herself a bereaved partner who received support from GFIDF after losing her boyfriend in 2002, became GIDF’s CEO. They are joined in senior leadership by CPA and Attorney Netta Karmi Nevo, who lost her partner Sergeant First Class (res.) David Galel in 1991, and Einat Sagee Alfasa, who lost her partner Shimshon Zeidner in 1994.
A Partner Left Behind - GFIDF has taken upon itself a national mission: to care for the unmarried partners of fallen IDF soldiers. These soldiers died in service to the State of Israel - whether in active duty, career service, reserve duty, or the security forces - regardless of the circumstances of their death: in combat, in accidents, by suicide, from illness, or for any other reason.
The State of Israel carries a moral responsibility to support these individuals, the great loves and their closest companions of those who fell in its defense.
Bereaved partners hold a unique place of Israel’s shared experience of grief. They have not only lost their loved ones but also their shared future. Healing means a way to rebuild - to rise from the devastating rupture and create a new path forward.
GFIDF walks alongside each partner from the moment of notification, and for as long as they wish. We recognize that the pain never disappears, but with the right tools and support, it is possible to live fully - to walk with grief, rather than in its shadow.
Over the years, through GFIDF dedicated efforts, Israeli society and government have changed their approach toward bereaved partners, acknowledging their unique place in the national circle of loss.
Following Operation Tzuk Eitan in 2014, the issue was brought before the Knesset in collaboration with former Member of Knesset, Dr. Aliza Lavie. As a result, the IDF changed its procedures to ensure that official death notifications are delivered to the partner of the fallen. Partners are now entitled to attend Shiva, memorial ceremonies, and Memorial Day events without using their vacation leave.
Subsequently, the Civil Service Regulations were amended to grant similar leave rights to bereaved partners employed in the public sector.
During the Swords of Iron War, the Knesset passed the Fallen Soldiers’ Fiancé(e) Recognition Law, which formally defines the rights of fiancées of fallen IDF soldiers. The law passed unanimously across all Knesset factions.
GFIDF is honored to bear the Midot Seal of Effectiveness - a distinguished acknowledgment of its sound management, impactful mission, and proven ability to generate meaningful social value through rigorous evaluation.
