תמונת מצב | שבעה באוקטובר עמותת הותיר אחריו חברה

Situation Update Since October 7, 2023

Emergency Operations Center -

Established immediately after the October 7 attacks, the center includes a dedicated telephone and digital hotline and a locating unit, staffed largely by longstanding bereaved partners.

Support Teams -

More than 375 new teams were formed to support newly bereaved partners. Each team, composed of a longstanding bereaved partner and a volunteer professional therapist, makes contact during the shiva period and provides guidance and support through the painful early stages of loss.

Support Groups -

18 new support groups for newly bereaved partners.
2 new groups for longstanding bereaved partners.
A dedicated group for parents of bereaved partners, operating in a rolling/drop-in format, with dozens of participants each week.

Volunteers and Therapists -

Over 120 new volunteers and 200 new professional therapists joined GFIDF’s existing corps.

Professional Trainings and Conferences -

Six professional trainings and conferences were held for volunteers and therapists, alongside an ongoing lecture series on loss and bereavement.

Support for Professionals -

Weekly training and supervision groups are provided for therapists and emergency teams, with a dedicated support group available for the locating unit.

Research -

At the start of the war, a new study was launched in collaboration with Dr. Ofri Bar-Nadav, GFIDF’s Chief Psychologist, to examine the mourning experience of bereaved partners. The study includes both longstanding bereaved partners and those coping with fresh grief, continuing work first published by Dr. Bar-Nadav in 2008.

Empowerment Meetings -

Dozens of support and empowerment gatherings were held for both newly bereaved and longstanding partners.

Memorial Day Conference -

GFIDF’s traditional Memorial Day event took place on the Friday before Memorial Day. Hosted by Ido Greenberg in a hall donated by Microsoft, the ceremony included artistic performances and the participation of GFIDF members.

Parents’ Conference -

For the first time, the association convened a conference for parents of bereaved partners, providing them with tools and knowledge to help support their children and families through grief.

Engagement with Leadership -

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with bereaved partners and representatives of GFIDF in his office.

Lectures and Conferences -

GFIDF’s CEO addressed a conference for casualty officers across the security services, and GFIDF participated in a dedicated conference for bereaved partners who themselves serve in the IDF, initiated by the Casualties Division.

Soldiers’ Complaints Commissioner -

Ms. Rachel Tevet-Wiesel met with GFIDF representatives and expressed great appreciation for GFIDF’s work.

Support for Partners of Abducted Soldiers -

At the request of the Ministry of Defense, GFIDF provides sensitive, professional support to partners of abducted soldiers - both those who were murdered and those still held captive. A dedicated team was formed to lead this work, in close coordination with GFIDF’s Chief Psychologist.

Conferences for Military Partners -

In cooperation with the IDF Casualties Division, two dedicated conferences were held for bereaved partners currently serving in the military.

Memorial Day 2024 Campaign - Under the slogan “Their Journey Has Just Begun”, the 2024 Memorial Day campaign was conceived and produced by communications students at Reichman University, under the guidance of lecturers Ido
Greenberg (MISMAS) and Yael Pedatzur. The campaign reached a wide audience through extensive exposure on social media and outdoor platforms.

Fallen Soldiers’ Fiancé(e) Recognition Law - Legislation recognizing the rights of fiancées of fallen IDF soldiers was passed in the Knesset, granting them rights even if the couple had not yet established a shared household prior to marriage. The law passed with broad, cross-party support, assisted by the dedicated efforts of GFIDF’s team.
Song Release - The song “A Partner Left Behind”, performed by Miri Mesika with lyrics by Moshe Klughaft and music by Ohad Hitman, was released ahead of Tu B’Av. The song, created with the involvement GFIDF members - some of whom appear in the moving music video - reflects the depth of their stories.
“Heartbeat” Exhibition - The “Heartbeat” exhibition opened at the President’s Residence in the presence of First Lady Michal Herzog. The exhibition tells GFIDF’s story through the personal experiences of its bereaved members. Curated by Tali Dvir Livnat and Gili Sivan Cohen, the exhibition features powerful portraits of members photographed by Ron Kedmi.
Campaign “Unfinished Business…” - On the eve of October 7, 2024, GFIDF launched a campaign titled “Unfinished Business…”, featuring bereaved partners from the Swords of Iron conflict. The campaign received broad exposure across social networks, community television, and outdoor platforms, and was relaunched on Memorial Day 2025.

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