Fund for Victims of Terror Newsletter September-October 2025

Sukkot Holiday Camp

Shortly after our busy and exciting summer vacation, we had the privilege of meeting the Fund’s children again at our Sukkot holiday camp. 150 boys and girls from the communities of Sderot, Netivot, Ofakim, Ashdod, and Ashkelon participated in two enjoyable camp days. The activities included a wonderful visit with many animals and big smiles at the ‘Midbarium’ complex in Be’er Sheva, as well as a visit to a games and trampoline park in southern Israel.

In addition, approximately 200 children from kibbutzim—including Nir Oz, Nahal Oz, Be’eri, Kfar Aza, and others who have not yet been able to return to their homes— enjoyed a fun-filled day at Ninja Star in Ashdod. As always, we were delighted to have the opportunity to meet the children and provide them all with a time of respite, enjoyment, and belonging. This is all made possible thanks to the Fund’s dedicated partners and donors, who enable us to run these camps during all holidays and vacations.

A Day of Respite and Recreation for Bedouin Women from Bereaved Families

For the past year, the Fund has been supporting an impactful program designed for bereaved mothers and sisters, as well as women from the families of the wounded, within the Bedouin community.

The meetings are held monthly and include art and craft workshops alongside a guided processing and support circle, facilitated by a social worker from the Bedouin Society Resilience Center in the south. The special bond formed between these women has become a significant anchor in their coping and processing journey over the past year.

This past September, at the participants’ request, we organised a special trip to the northern region. Each participant invited another woman from her family or close circle to join them. Together, they enjoyed a visit to the Banias, a tour of a local market, and concluded the day with a festive meal at the Dubai Restaurant.

Out in the Field: Connecting with Beneficiaries and Rights Access

The Southern Rural Region team held a dedicated open day on-site for the community of Netiv HaAsara. The meeting was both productive and meaningful, allowing the team to hold personal conversations with residents, gain a deeper understanding of their unique needs, and directly advance aid requests to the Fund. We place great importance on these direct encounters, which allow us to meet the Fund’s many beneficiaries personally and respectfully.

In addition, the Special Populations team held an open day for survivors of the 7/10 music festivals. The meeting took place at the Nova Association offices in Tel Aviv, attracting survivors from all across the country, from Ofakim in the south, to Tivon in the north. These days provide us with the opportunity to meet the beneficiaries we support face-to-face, hear their stories firsthand, and offer (and receive) a supportive embrace. Those who attended received our direct assistance in advancing the process for their rehabilitation grant.

These rights assistance days are held every one to two months, primarily in Tel Aviv, but have also been conducted in the south and north to ensure accessibility for residents in those regions.

Chair of The Fund’s Visits Alumim, Nachal Oz and Saad

At the end of October, the Chair of The Fund, Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin, visited communities in the Gaza envelope. The visit’s purpose was to closely assess the communities’ needs and offer The Fund’s support. The Chair was accompanied by Fund staff, including Hagit Erlich, Director of the Rural Region; Ayelet Barak Medina, Director of Programs; and Shelly Golan Tzurieli, Director of Partnerships.

During the visit, the team met with representatives at several kibbutzim: At Kibbutz Saad, the team met with the community director, who presented a comprehensive overview of the community’s situation and challenges. The discussion focused on tailored solutions The Fund could provide. The visit continued at Kibbutz Alumim, where the Chair outlined The Fund’s various aid channels to community representatives. The representatives, already familiar with The Fund’s programs, expressed their appreciation for these tools and their utility for group rehabilitation.

At Kibbutz Nahal Oz, the team conducted a tour that highlighted the security challenges stemming from the physical proximity to the border fence. A subsequent work meeting focused on the unique issues and complex challenges specific to the Nahal Oz community.

In conclusion, the Chair emphasized The Fund’s commitment to standing by the communities and pledged assistance through various channels, with a particular focus on expanding the program array to strengthen community resilience.

Support to Northern Communities

This past September, we initiated our work with the municipalities and regional councils in the northern region, which was severely impacted during the prolonged period of war.

Now, as many residents have returned to their homes, The Fund will be assisting the northern authorities by providing grants to the councils. These grants are designated for operating group-based resilience and rehabilitation activities for diverse populations, including youth, young families, and seniors.

Our northern team, led by Keren Dahan-Levi, the program coordinator for the north, has already begun a series of introductory and kick-off meetings with local community leadership to build a joint work plan.

From our Beneficiaries

“Dear and special team, Thank you for granting our children a safe haven, a place where they could go and just enjoy themselves during these turbulent times. You truly brought the saying, ‘Whoever saves one life in Israel, it is as if he saved an entire world,’ to life. The light my son returned with every day, and the smile spread across his face, testifies to this more than a thousand words.

I am grateful, in my name and in the name of everyone who has joined the family of terror victims. We did not choose this situation, but having found ourselves in it, we are grateful to be with a special family like yours.”

— Moran-Hila Madmoni, mother of Yedidya Madmoni, who participated in the Fund for Victims of Terror’s Sukkot camp.

Read more about UIA’s support for Victims of Terror: