Over 300 Bereaved Fathers Gather for Support Event at Psagot Winery

More than 300 bereaved fathers from across Israel convened on Thursday evening at Psagot Winery for a special event organized by the nonprofit "Our Children." The gathering aimed to provide these fathers with connection, support, hope, and a sense of belonging. The event featured a performance by singer Raviv Kinar, inspirational speeches, and personal meetings, all centered on unity and appreciation for fathers who have lost their children.

Participants included notable bereaved fathers such as Itzik Gvili, father of Ran Gvili; Mendi Katz, who traveled from New Haven, Connecticut, father of Moshe Katz, a lone soldier killed in Lebanon; Yigal Tamam, whose children Adir and Shiraz were murdered in the Nova Festival massacre; Amir Daniel, father of Oz Daniel; and others who lost children in various tragic circumstances. The event emphasized bridging divides across communities, sectors, and backgrounds in Israel, reminding attendees they are not alone in their grief.

"Our Children" currently supports nearly 2,000 bereaved families nationwide with emotional, communal, and practical assistance. After years focusing on widows, mothers, and children, the organization recently expanded to include over ten support groups for bereaved fathers meeting regularly across the country. Joseph Waks, founder and CEO, called the evening historic, highlighting the unity of hundreds of bereaved fathers from all parts of Israeli society sitting together as one family without political or religious distinctions.

The event was fully volunteer-run, with dozens of partners and donors contributing to honor the fathers, strengthen their community, and offer an evening of solidarity and hope. Waks expressed that if every father left feeling seen, loved, and supported by a continuing family, the event would be a success and only the beginning of ongoing support.