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Fund for the Victims of Terror- Updates from the Ground February 2025
As part of the Fund’s programming, a unique rehabilitation group for elderly women from the Western Negev opened in January. The Breathing Space in Colors program operates every other week in partnership with the Tel Aviv Museum. Each meeting includes sessions with a psychotherapist, an art therapist, and museum guides, as well as a visit to the museum’s exhibitions.
The concept of the museum as a healing space integrates with the Fund’s concept of restorative group work to create an exciting and empowering program that allows elderly women—who were forced to leave their homes and now live in host communities—to enjoy a space for conversation, creativity, and respite.
We recently held the last meeting of the program, an intergenerational event in which each woman invited one of her family members. Grandchildren, siblings, cousins, and close friends joined the circle of hugs and shared the creativity that we cultivated throughout the program.
In January, Fund Chair Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin and the Fund’s professional staff visited the kibbutzim of Hatzerim and Ruhama, which are generously hosting members of the Kfar Aza and Be’eri communities. We met with the management of the host communities, who—with a true sense of shared destiny—turned their kibbutzim into temporary homes for fellow Israelis who lost their homes on October 7.
We also met with the dedicated administrators of the Kfar Aza community to hear about the community’s preparations and the various steps they took to build a temporary home. Later, we met with Machol Shosh and Racheli Benacot from the Be’eri community and toured together the paths of the new neighborhood that was established for the residents of Be’eri in Kibbutz Hatzerim.
We heard about this special community’s ongoing needs and the hope its residents hold despite the difficult events they have experienced. We thank all those who participated in the visit and shared their challenges and plans with us. They opened their hearts and shared their dreams for a future in which their communities are rehabilitated and strengthened. The Fund will stand by them as long as necessary.
In northern Israel, the Fund for Victims of Terror recognises that the widespread harm and the prolonged displacement of residents—many of whom could not return home for over a year— require tailored assistance and support. In February, Nahmias-Verbin and the staff visited the northern region to meet and consult with local representatives about their needs and learn how the Fund can help.
During the visit, Nahmias-Verbin met with Gabi Na’aman, Head of the Shlomi Council, who spoke about the complex struggles facing residents of her community and the many needs have arisen as a result of the war. Na’aman thanked the Fund for its assistance providing emergency grants to community members whose homes were damaged and/or were hospitalised.
Later, the team met with philanthropist Raya Strauss to discuss future collaborations. Finally, we visited Hannah Perry in Moshav Yagur, where she has lived since returning from Hamas captivity in November 2023. Hannah, originally from Kibbutz Nirim, lost her two sons: Roee, who was murdered on October 7, and Nadav Popplewell, who was murdered in Hamas captivity. During our moving and inspiring conversation, we heard from Hannah and her daughter Ayelet Wiskind about the many challenges they face as a bereaved family that includes a returned hostage.
The Fund provides significant assistance to the families of the hostages, including bereaved families and the families of returnees, through grants and group support. We will continue to stand by them throughout their journey.
The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Fund for Victims of Terror published its 2024 annual report 500 days after the October 7 terror attacks. We presented the report to Israeli First Lady Michal Herzog during an emotional meeting held at the President’s residence. Attendees at the meeting included Jewish Agency Chairman Doron Almog, Fund for Victims of Terror Chair Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin, Jewish Agency Director General and CEO Yehuda Setton, and members of the Fund’s staff.
The Fund also invited some of our beneficiaries as special guests: Merav Ram, whose son, Omri Ram, was murdered at the Nova Music Festival; Fouad and Leila Talalka, whose son, Samar, was kidnapped and accidentally killed in Gaza; Lea Yanai, whose sister, Moran Stella Yanai, survived Hamas captivity; and Shimrit Shelfrok, who together with her family was evacuated from Sderot. All told their harrowing stories of October 7 and thanked the Fund for the assistance they and their families have received since that tragic date.
Ms. Herzog said: “Meeting with the families of victims of terror and hearing the personal stories of people who experienced the deepest pain and found the strength to move on are moving testimonies to the resilience of Israeli society.” The Fund’s annual report summarises a busy year during which the Fund distributed 8,428 emergency grants to families of victims of terror from across the country with a total of 85,528,480 ILS, thanks to the contributions of the Jewish Federations of North America, Keren Hayesod, Spirit of Israel, and other donors from across the Jewish world and Israel. To read the full report, click here.
The Fund is currently launching the Family Space project in partnership with the National Insurance Institute and the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs. The project serves second- and third-circle family members of civilian victims of October 7, as well as the families of the hostages (those who were killed and those who have returned).
We are currently developing the project’s work plan in preparation for its launch and implementation. In February, we held a consultation meeting with professionals who work with the various circles of bereaved families and the families of hostages, including representatives of the National Insurance Institute; welfare professionals from various communities; representatives of several associations that work with the Nova community and the families of hostages; and those who work with second- and third-circle family members. We heard about the needs of second- and third-circle family members and consulted with our partners about the best working methods that will help the project succeed and shape it in the most professional way.
This meeting was a significant step toward formulating the project’s action strategy, and is part of the ongoing conversations and consultations we are holding with professionals and beneficiaries in the field. Our goal is to build a project that can provide significant assistance to circles of family members who are currently receiving less support than they need. We are excited and proud of the new partnership and will continue to update on our ongoing progress toward our goals.
Through Tamar’s Group, the bereaved siblings of people murdered at the Nova Music Festival can find solace and community through surfing. Noy Samet established the group in memory of her sister Tamar, who was killed at Nova. Tamar loved to surf and did her year of service at an organisation called HaGal Sheli (My Wave), which teaches surfing to a diverse range of at-risk youth, trauma survivors, and people with disabilities. (The Fund works with HaGal Sheli to provide surfing lessons to victims of terror).
The Fund supports Tamar’s Group in an effort to expand support for bereaved family members of people killed on October 7 and help them cope with trauma. Tamar’s Group serves 15 people, who have noted that being part of a group specifically for siblings offers them a safe space with people who understand their grief and share their unique and difficult experiences.
In light of the success of this group, the Fund will support another group for bereaved siblings. The group is slated to open in March as part of our expansion to support second- and third-circle bereaved family members.
“I would like to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to my case worker at the Victims of Terror Fund for her full support after I was injured on October 7. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have always given and invested. Thank you for your care, listening, quick response, dedication, and sacrifice.”
T. A. A., Volunteer at United Hatzalah from Ar’ara, injured at Sha’ar HaNegev Junction on October 7
Learn more about the UIA-supported Fund for the Victims of Terror:
1 April 2025
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