Widow of Jerusalem Terror Victim Rebuilds Life and Supports Bereaved Families 25 Years Later

In an interview with Hadar Miller, Inbal Retz-Gilmor, whose husband Ash Kodesh Gilmor was killed in a terror attack at the National Insurance Institute branch in East Jerusalem 25 years ago, reflects on how she rebuilt her life from grief. At 25 and mother to a year-and-a-half-old daughter, Inbal was devastated by the sudden loss. She recalls the shock of learning about the attack and the struggle to accept his death, including her fight to say a final goodbye and her insistence on his burial in Jerusalem, which she saw as deeply symbolic.

Since then, Inbal has transformed her pain into a mission to support widows and bereaved families. She emphasizes living with the longing rather than fighting it, describing grief as "part of the air I breathe." Initially isolated, she found little suitable support and relied heavily on her and her late husband's families. Over time, she became a mentor to new widows, stressing that her coping methods are personal and not universal.

Inbal remarried and has four daughters, integrating Ash Kodesh's memory naturally into her family life. She never tried to erase his presence but made it a part of their home. Following the October 7 war, she again supported families who lost loved ones, traveling between bereaved homes even during air raid sirens. She called this role a great privilege that gave her strength.

The interview also touched on her research on American Jewry, combating antisemitism, strengthening ties between Israel and Jewish communities abroad, integrating the Haredi sector, fostering respectful dialogue amid deep divisions, and the need for a long-term strategy for Israeli society and national challenges.