About Navah

Navah was established in 2003 in the midst of the Second Intifada terror attacks with the goal of providing emotional support to families bereaved by terrorism. Over time, the organization broadened its scope to include families affected by disasters as well.

Following the sudden and devastating loss of a close family member, every aspect of life and daily functioning is disrupted for the grieving family, including employment, community, marriage, parenting, and health. In the wake of such a loss, parents and spouses need extensive and compassionate support to find the strength and ability to move forward. That's why we're here.

What Does Navah Do?

Online Support Programs for Grieving Families

Every Monday, a dedicated support platform is available to bereaved families nationwide, offering tailored content to meet their specific needs. Led by professionals from diverse backgrounds such as trauma therapy and psychotherapy, these online empowerment sessions provide a space for families to connect and receive guidance. Numerous families participate in the weekly Zoom sessions, receiving empowerment tools and strategies to cope with their grief, and hundreds of other participants view the recorded broadcasts.

“Accompany & Embrace”

Dozens of Navah volunteers stand by to assist families of the deceased and mourners during funerals, distributing hundreds of kits containing beverages, printed prayers, and yarmulkes, and, most importantly, are available to offer support and assistance with anything needed. Since October 2023, the organization has participated in over 500 funerals.

Support Meetings for Bereaved Families from the Past Experiencing Secondary Trauma during War

Navah provides a weekly online support platform specifically designed for families affected by past acts of terrorism and facing secondary trauma. This platform enables members from all over the country to participate in a support group. Through this platform, participants gain access to professional tools, empowerment, and resources delivered through effective therapeutic methods. We strongly believe in the importance of dedicated online support groups for bereaved families from past terror, as their needs are often neglected amid the ongoing challenging circumstances.

Support Groups and Evenings of Connection

Navah, in partnership with the One Family Association, hosts support and empowerment evenings for groups of bereaved families facing a lack of community assistance and activities tailored to their needs. These gatherings, designed to enrich participants emotionally, feature therapeutic sessions, experiential activities, inspirational talks, and a pampering meal. The meetings play a crucial role in nurturing emotional resilience and fostering bonds within the bereaved community, aiming to provide them with coping mechanisms for their grief.

The Empty Chair Project

For the past two decades, Navah has hosted an annual communal Seder for families, widows, and orphans affected by terrorist attacks and other tragedies. Seder night, one of the most family-oriented nights of the year, often intensifies the grief experienced by these individuals. This joint Seder is accompanied by professionals, well-known speakers, spiritual leaders, and workshop facilitators. The hotel accommodations include two nights and three days, featuring a range of therapeutic sessions led by experts, as well as entertainment. Over the past 20 years, thousands of individuals have participated in the Empty Chair Project.

"Stones with a Human Heart"

This meaningful initiative involves the placing of decorated stones with messages of encouragement and empathy on the graves of Israel's martyrs in all military cemeteries across the country on Yom HaZikaron- Israel's Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Hostilities. The gesture of the stones and their heartfelt message offer comfort, warmth, and a profound sense of connection to the grieving families. The project also aims to show solidarity with bereaved families who are unable to reach the graves of their loved ones by placing stones on their behalf.

Many schools, youth movements, community centers, day centers for the elderly, and employment rehabilitation programs around the country participate in the preparation and placement of these stones nationwide.

Holiday Activities for Bereaved Families

For families who have experienced loss, holidays often intensify feelings of absence and longing for their loved ones.
Navah embraces bereaved families during these times through the following initiatives:

Comfort Packages

 Hundreds of pampering packages are sent to bereaved families nationwide before each of the holidays. The packages include board games, cosmetics, sweets, and a booklet with articles, inspirational words, and encouragement.

Evening of Light

 On Hanukkah, Navah hosts an evening of empowerment for bereaved families, featuring impactful content led by professionals. Activities include Playback Theater, Psychodrama, and Intuitive Painting, aimed at providing relevant and strengthening experiences for participants

A Journey of Prayer for Bereaved Mothers

 On Erev Yom Kippur, we gather for a day of prayer and song at the Cave of the Patriarchs and at Rachel's Tomb. This powerful and moving gathering of bereaved mothers, filled with prayer and hope, brings together dozens of women who share the experience of loss. Through musical performances and spiritual connections, it uplifts spirits and instills hope for the challenges of the coming year.