Members of the elected delegation

Tami Shelach Ruti Gat Hagit Sela Zehava Gross Meydan Ruthi H. Tzbicler Yona Nefesh Wasim Shibel Lee Thurston Edney Abigail Gamzo Rebecca Baruch Frida Sorsky Ilana Alfasi Esther Farage Dror Lavi Leah Greenberg Nada Abu Zidan Rosie Crudo Maggie Assouline Zehava Gershon Rachel Shahar Sapir Kakon Yehudit Zilber Rachel Hacham Bracha Goldschmidt Simi Gadi Hannah Biton Sonia Kadosh Lizzie Cooperman Malka Kommi Zeidan Yafit Talner Hava Snir Shosh Tzur Magen Orly Zohar Zipora Erez Yael Yaniv Meirav Revah Wisal Sabak Ester Teper Barzilai Zahara Vered Hadas Mizrachi Raaya Bilhasan Yifat Ehrlich Maggie Lakritz Oren Sharon Peretz Anat Nana Levin Eitan Zamir Yael Shalom Shoshana Dayan Nurit Ben Ari Tami Shelach Ruti Gat Hagit Sela Zehava Gross Meydan Ruthi H. Tzbicler Yona Nefesh Wasim Shibel Lee Thurston Edney Abigail Gamzo Rebecca Baruch Frida Sorsky Ilana Alfasi Esther Farage Dror Lavi Leah Greenberg Nada Abu Zidan Rosie Crudo Maggie Assouline Zehava Gershon Rachel Shahar Sapir Kakon Yehudit Zilber Rachel Hacham Bracha Goldschmidt Simi Gadi Hannah Biton Sonia Kadosh Lizzie Cooperman Malka Kommi Zeidan Yafit Talner Hava Snir Shosh Tzur Magen Orly Zohar Zipora Erez Yael Yaniv Meirav Revah Wisal Sabak Ester Teper Barzilai Zahara Vered Hadas Mizrachi Raaya Bilhasan Yifat Ehrlich Maggie Lakritz Oren Sharon Peretz Anat Nana Levin Eitan Zamir Yael Shalom Shoshana Dayan Nurit Ben Ari

Home › About Us

About Us

The IDF Widows and Orphans Organization is a nonprofit organization founded in 1991, and operates on the basis of the Fallen Soldiers’ Families Law, with the aim of supporting and empowering the widows and orphans of fallen servicemen of the IDF and other security personnel, and to create a supportive community for bereaved families.

The IDF Widows and Orphans Organization is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1991, and is the only official body in Israel dedicated to supporting the widows, widowers, and children of fallen soldiers and security personnel—including members of the Israel Police, the Israel Security Agency, Mossad, Israel Prison Service, and civilian emergency response units.

The organization operates under the authority of the Families of Fallen Soldiers Law (1950), with the goal of strengthening and empowering bereaved families—those who have paid the ultimate price, whose lives were forever shattered in a single devastating moment.

Since its founding, the organization has stood by thousands of bereaved families whose loved ones were killed while serving and defending the State of Israel and its people. From the War of Independence until today, we support widows, widowers, and orphans as they move forward and rebuild their lives with strength and dignity.

Our ongoing activities include a variety of services and support offerings, such as financial grants and scholarships, individual assistance, group retreats, enrichment opportunities, workshops, emotional support programs, children’s camps, and community events — all designed to respond thoughtfully to the diverse needs of our families.

Alongside our community work, we also operate in the public and parliamentary spheres. We represent widows, widowers, and orphans of fallen soldiers and security personnel, whose spouses or fathers were killed while defending the State of Israel and its people. We submit proposals to improve existing regulations and advocate for legislation to enhance their rights and welfare.

The organization is democratically run. Its leadership is elected by members every four years. These elections appoint a general assembly of around 50 members, who in turn elect the Executive Committee, chaired by the Chairperson of the organization. The committee is responsible for guiding the organization’s work, assessing the needs of bereaved families, and submitting legislative and policy recommendations to Israel’s Ministry of Defense, government, and Knesset.

Our Mission

We are committed to acting with compassion, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to improve the lives of IDF widows, widowers, and orphans. Our work is grounded in a deep understanding of their personal and family needs throughout their lives. We strive to strengthen them, help them rebuild and grow from their grief, and foster a strong, supportive community. We aim to amplify their voices in front of decision-makers, influence public opinion, and enhance the personal, social, and national resilience of Israeli society. We walk beside them on the difficult path that was forced upon them emotionally, socially, communally, and financially. Our message is clear and strong: They are not alone. Israeli society as a whole honors the profound sacrifice they have made — and we are here to support them, assist them, and remind them of that, every step of the way.

International Friends Association

Adv. Zehava Gross Meydan – Chair of the Organization

Widow of the late Lt. Col. Yosef Meydan, Deputy Commander of an armored battalion in the IDF’s 401st Brigade, who fell during the final days of the First Lebanon War. A resident of Lehavim, she is a proud mother to one son and grandmother to four grandchildren.

Zehava has a longstanding background in public and volunteer service within the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization. Since 2019, she has served on the Executive Board, holding key positions including Chair of the Widows’ Legislation Committee, Chair of the Research Grants and Awards Committee, member of the Bylaws Committee, and Regional Coordinator for the Southern District.

In January 2025, she was elected Chair of the Organization.

She is deeply committed to advancing the rights of IDF widows and orphans and to shaping the organization as a warm, supportive, and embracing home for all its members.