A new survey by the Hamaniyot association, released on International Widows Day, says economic insecurity is a major barrier for widows in Israel trying to rebuild their lives. The survey, conducted by Mano Surveys among 130 widows and widowers who lost a spouse while raising children under 18, is being published alongside a special Knesset committee discussion on advancing women's status.
The findings show that half of respondents reported a worsening financial situation after their loss, while only 17% saw improvement. Today, about 10% describe their situation as difficult and 40% as moderate. By comparison, the Central Bureau of Statistics' 2024 social survey found 66% of the general public saying their finances were good, versus 49% among widows.
Work was also heavily affected. Sixty-nine percent said their employment changed because of the bereavement, including 16% who stopped working for a long period, 15% who moved to part-time work, and 11% who stopped briefly. Even among those who kept working, 17% said their performance suffered. The main obstacles were managing a household alone, cited by 56%, caring for children, cited by 47%, and emotional strain, cited by 31%. Still, 72% said they would consider joining a dedicated employment program.
One widow, Keren, 43, who is raising two children after her husband died by suicide following trauma from the October 7 attacks, said she only works one-third of a position so she can be available for her children's treatments. She has been in a new relationship for about a year, but hides it because remarriage or living with a partner can cost a widow her survivors' pension. "When we meet at my place, I find myself hiding his shoes," she said. "It sounds absurd, but that is the reality." Hamaniyot says Israel's rule is outdated and is pressing for legislation to let widows keep their benefits after remarrying. The group says about 18,000 bereaved families and 52,000 orphaned children and teens under 21 now live in Israel, with the numbers rising after the war and the October 7 attacks.
