Orphans

The bar mitzvah that moved everyone

Two-and-a-half years after his parents were murdered in the October 7 massacre at Nova, Eliav Abdush celebrates his bar mitzvah, surrounded by friends and family.

14 Kids. Zero Income. Crisis:

14 kids watched Dad die over 4 years - now facing eviction

Mrs. Weinberger gave birth twice while caring for her dying husband and 14 children. After four years of medical hell, crushing debt, and zero income, this family is days away from losing their home - and their childhood.

They need your help:

10 kids watched their father die at Shabbat table

Yair Nimni collapsed in front of his horrified family at age 47. When neighbors came to comfort them, they discovered the family didn't even own closets. Now widow Sara Tova faces impossible choices about feeding her children.

Everything Gone Overnight

A Family That Did Everything Right - and Still Lost Everything

A responsible family that worked hard, saved carefully, and took every precaution still lost everything because of one medical crisis. What happened to the Weinbergers could happen to any of us - and here's why thousands are already stepping in to help.

14 Orphans. $175,000

Father dies at midnight - Leaves 14 orphans and $175K debt

Turns out when a father of 14 fights brain cancer for four years, the bills don't stop after he's gone - and this family owes gemachim over 500,000 shekels with zero income.

After The Cameras Move On, 4 Children Left In The Dust

The 13-year-old, who made the horrific discovery, continues serving as primary caretaker for his younger siblings

Watch:

Orphans and Widows Fill Carts at Night

Just like every holiday, this upcoming Shavuot—just as in previous years—we are once again bringing joy and dignity to hundreds of struggling families.

Support the Weinberg orphans

Seven orphans in Beitar are reliving their worst nightmares

One year after their mother’s death, fear and trauma come alive again as these children experience the end of their father’s life

Grandmother Breaks Down Caring for 7 Orphaned Children

She's caring for 7 children while watching her son die from fluid-filled lungs.

Children in Beitar on the brink of losing both parents

Their father, a computer worker and sole caregiver, is now critically ill, his lungs filled with fluid that doctors have been unable to drain

Help the orphans:

Global Jewish unity: Aiding children of suicide-homicide tragedy

In an inspiring turn, the global Jewish community has begun to unite to help the Chamadani children.

Help the children:

Parents found dead, four young orphans alone

The children are in a state of pain and confusion, without anyone to care for them

Israel Dog Unit holds exhibition for war widows and orphans

The Israel Dog Unit displayed the various capabilities of their working dogs for a group of widows and orphans from the Swords of Iron war at an event organized by the 'Victory Together' organization.

Number of orphans rise as more soldiers are killed

The death of soldiers across Israel this month has left a significant number of children without a father.

Personal Account: “My father was killed in Lebanon”

16-year-old Oren is a young Israeli boy whose personal account touched many.

Bravery and tragedy

Northern War Leaving Irreparable Scars

74 children of Israeli soldiers were orphaned this month. Their fathers gave their lives for the country, this is our chance to give back.

Help IDF orphans:

Soldiers’ deaths leave more children helpless

A significant amount is still needed to raise funds for the future of over 70 children.

Help the orphans:

Child of fallen soldier shocks room into silence

A touching story emerges from the Shiva house of a recently fallen soldier.

Help the Zahavis

Mother 'fought like a lion' for children’s lives

Pulled from the flames by their mom, 9 children sit shiva this week. Their apartment was destroyed. After the shiva, where will they go?

Rabbi Rimon learns Mishnayot with bereaved children

Ahead of Memorial Day, Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, chairman of the Sulamot Foundation, talks about a Torah learning project for the elevation of the souls of the fallen or murdered.

Final Approval:

Day of commemoration for orphans' families in Israel

According to the bill an annual day of commemoration will be held on 25 Kislev for the families of orphans and marked by a special session in Knesset plenum and some of its committees.

IDF transfers Palestinian orphans to Bethlehem

A large IDF force was assigned to bring a group of more than 70 orphans and adult chaperones from the Gaza Strip to Palestinian Authority territory.

Oct. 7th: Harsh data:

38 children murdered, 42 taken hostage, 116 orphaned

National Council for the Child data shows that 19,407 Israeli children were physically or mentally injured in the horrific events since the outbreak of the war – 37% of them under age 6.

Shocking:

Hamas attack left 96 children orphans, 20 lost both parents

96 children lost a father or mother in the murderous Hamas attack – 20 were orphaned by both parents.

No one left behind:

A special kind of family

The Swords of Iron war that broke out on Simchat Torah added thousands to the roster of the bereaved in Israel. OneFamily is there for them.

21 orphaned children lost both parents in murderous Hamas attack

Children from 13 different families lost both parents. In at least one case, a parent was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists to Gaza.

Orphans left completely alone:

'Our dream is to have a stable home and a normal life'

The family made Aliyah expecting better things, but a series of unforeseen tragedies left them completely alone to fend for themselves.

Interview:

Jewish doctor rescues abandoned girls in India

She is second mother to 14 Indian girls nobody else wanted and she sold her house in the USA to be able to raise them to adulthood.

Ukrainian special-needs orphan finds safety in Israel

22-year-old Ukrainian orphan with special needs flees to Israel, is welcomed as the latest member of Ohr Torah Stone’s Darkaynu program.

Food for all of Passover donated to Ukraine orphanage

Israel Magen Fund donates full supply of Passover food to children from Zhytomyr orphanage.

Aid worker rescues 1,000 Jewish refugees from Ukraine

Jewish aid worker from London rescues over 1,000 Jewish refugees from Ukraine, including 270 orphans.

UK community raises $1.6 mil for Ukrainian Jewish orphanage

Over 2,000 UK donors help Jewish orphanage and school in Odessa whose students fled to a mountain camp due to the Russian invasion.

Harry Potter author launches appeal for Ukrainian orphans

J.K. Rowling launching campaign to held Ukrainian children trapped in orphanages as war continues.

Ukraine War

Odessa orphanage trying to evacuate

The leaders of a Jewish orphanage in Odessa, Ukraine, share their experiences trying to protect children in a war zone.

First They Were Nurses. Then They Were Orphans.

Her four children who remain at home tried to do it all.

Help Sima, an orphan bride, get married

'I am writing you this letter with tears in my eyes and a broken heart.'

Young Widow and Orphans Ask The Jewish Community for Help

With Rosh Hashanah fast approaching, this is an auspicious time to give tzedakah to those in need.

42 orphans celebrate their Bat Mitzvahs in Jerusalem

Colel Chabad hosts mass Bat Mitzvah celebration in Jerusalem for 42 orphans.

Kraków street named for rabbi, 300 orphans killed in Holocaust

Street to be named for Rabbi David Alter Kurzmann caretaker of the Kraków ghetto orphanage who was murdered with the orphans he cared for.

Shocking:

Widower and 7 kids given 24-hour eviction notice

Family receives notice from court they will be evicted if they do not deposit shocking $22,000 in next 24 hours.

Orphaned high schoolers given scholarships for academic success

Colel Chabad in Jerusalem grants more than 100 scholarships to high schoolers who have lost at least one parent.

Bill: IDF orphans for life

Government approves bill to allow orphans of IDF soldiers killed in action to maintain status past the age of 21.

Watch: Special Bar Mitzvah celebration for 120 orphans

Colel Chabad, Israel’s longest running social services organization, presents orphaned boys with Bar mitzvah Celebration before Passover.

Watch: Orphans celebrate their Bat Mitzvah in Jerusalem

Colel Chabad hosts Bat Mitzvah celebration for 42 orphan girls and their families.

Orphaned Bar Mitzvah boys celebrate in Jerusalem

115 orphaned Bar Mitzvah boys joined in a celebration at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

Watch: 'Visual effects masterpiece'

Jewish music video producer releases 'Am Yisrael Chai' - 'level of production quality not before seen in Jewish world'

Israel to accept 100 children from Syria

Israel to accept 100 orphans from Syria, the first time it is accepting refugees from the Syrian Civil War.

IDF orphans organization joins briefing at the White House

US and Israel push joint efforts to help their respective military families, at a meeting at the White House.

PM to orphans: I know exactly what you're going through

In a moving meeting between Netanyahu couple and orphans of fallen soldiers, terror and fire victims, PM shares his lessons from loss.

Court rules in favor of children conceived via IVF

Children conceived artificially after the death of a parent to receive orphans' benefits, court rules.

Israel's war widows and orphans

An inside look into the IDFWO, the organization in charge of the unsung heroes of the State of Israel.

Success Despite the Hardship: The Orphans Who Persevered

In special ceremony, orphaned students awarded for academic achievements despite their heart-breaking loss.

'It's Heartwarming': Chabad Sponsors Bat Mitzvah for 36 Orphans

Colel Chabad, Israel's oldest social welfare organization, sponsored its fourth annual Bat Mitzvah celebration for orphans, in Jerusalem.

113 Orphaned Boys to Celebrate Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel

Colel Chabad in Jerusalem will host a mega bar mitzvah celebration for 113 orphaned boys and their families.

‘We Told the Children Their Father was Gone'

Chaya Borovsky recalls her son, slain by a terrorist in Samaria. ‘He was never afraid.’

Netanyahu: I Remember Yoni Every Second

Prime Minister meets IDF orphans and shares feelings about loss, as Memorial Day approaches.

Photos: 111 Orphans Celebrate Special Bar Mitzvah

111 boys who have reached the age of Bar celebrated in a unique event organized by Colel Chabad in Israel.

Cabinet Approves Compensation for 225 Reservists' Orphans

Bill gives equal compensation to 225 orphans of IDF reservists killed in action who were not eligible for it until now.