Israeli Grandparents Cope With Loss of Grandchildren in Gaza Through Support Retreat and Family Rituals
Every Friday at 3:40 p.m., the phone of the late Staff Sergeant Nevo Fisher rings at his family's home, a poignant reminder of the 20-year-old tank commander who was killed in Gaza on January 8, 2025. After his death, his phone, still functional, continued to ring with a weekly reminder he had set to call his grandparents and wish them Shabbat Shalom. His parents now keep the phone in a memorial corner at their home, allowing it to ring briefly each week before silencing it. This ritual inspired the family to distribute magnets and stickers asking, "Have you called your grandparents to say Shabbat Shalom?" symbolizing the deep bond between grandparents and grandchildren.
Nevo’s grandparents, Judith and Yaakov Fisher of Tel Aviv, describe a close relationship with their grandson, who called them every Friday regardless of where he was. They emphasize the importance of maintaining this connection, which has encouraged other grandchildren to call as well. The feeling of invisibility experienced by grieving grandparents was a central theme at the first retreat organized by the "One Family" association, a national organization supporting bereaved families and injured soldiers in Israel. Held in early summer at the Nof David Hotel in Netanya, about 100 grandparents from across Israel participated in workshops, lectures, and activities designed to acknowledge their unique grief and role within the family.
The retreat highlighted the often overlooked pain of grandparents who must support their bereaved children while mourning their own loss. Participants shared personal stories and created inspirational photo collages to honor their grandchildren. Among them were Lika Koplovitz, grandmother of Captain (res.) Eitan Koplovitz, who was killed in Gaza in June 2024; Samuel and Nira Peper, grandparents of Staff Sergeant Yoav Peper, who died in January 2025; and Eliezer Rot from Katzrin, who lost his grandson Sergeant Major Omri Rot in December 2023. Each recounted the profound personal connections they had with their grandchildren and the ongoing struggle to cope with their absence.
Another poignant story was that of Dalia Navon from Petah Tikva, who lost two grandsons within 42 days: Staff Sergeants Elkana Navon and Itai Fogel, both killed in combat operations in 2024. Despite the immense grief, the families strive to continue living and supporting each other, embodying the motto "In their death they commanded us to live."
The "One Family" association, founded 25 years ago, has expanded its support to include grandparents, recognizing their unique position in the grieving process. The retreat was designed less to focus on the grandchildren themselves and more on the grandparents’ place within the family and how they move forward. As the Fisher family continues their weekly ritual, other grandchildren now call their grandparents every Friday, keeping the memory and connection alive.
