TL;DR: In 2001, Chantal Belzberg and Marc Belzberg turned a personal family milestone into a mission of support, founding OneFamily. Over 25 years, the organization has grown to help more than 25,000 victims of terror annually across Israel, offering immediate aid and long-term care. As a partner of Global Jewry, OneFamily continues to provide critical emotional, financial, and community support.
In 2001, at the height of the Second Intifada, Chantal and Marc Belzberg made a decision that would ultimately shape the lives of thousands across Israel. After the devastating Sbarro restaurant bombing, they chose to cancel their daughter’s bat mitzvah celebration and instead direct those resources toward helping victims of the attack and their families.
Over the next 25 years, OneFamily has grown into a national organization supporting more than 25,000 victims of terror and their families across Israel each year.
OneFamily provides immediate emergency assistance in the critical hours and days following an attack, ensuring that families are not left to navigate the initial shock and trauma alone. From there, the organization offers long-term, holistic care, including counseling, rehabilitation services, and legal advocacy to help families access the support and benefits they deserve.
The Belzbergs made a lifelong commitment to ensuring that no one faces terror, loss, or injury alone. And as Israel and the Jewish people are faced with war and increasing antisemitism, this mission is as important as ever. Thousands of children, siblings, and young adults participate each year in camps, retreats, and mentorship programs designed to restore joy, connection, and a sense of stability. Widows, widowers, and bereaved parents receive ongoing support through peer communities and individualized case management, helping them move forward while honoring their loss.
At its core, OneFamily is powered by partnership: a dedicated professional team working around the clock, a network of thousands of volunteers who show up in the moments that matter most, and a global community of supporters who make this work possible. As a partner of Global Jewry, OneFamily is able to connect with Jewish leaders and changemakers from around the world and share in this vision of an engaged, empowered, and collaborative global Jewish community.
In recognition of its extraordinary impact, OneFamily was awarded the Genesis Prize in 2024. Most recently, it was announced that Chantal Belzberg will receive the Israel Prize on Yom Ha’atzmaut 2026 for her lifelong contributions to the State of Israel and its people.
Shavua tov,
Rebecca Remson
Director of Strategy & Philanthropic Partnerships, OneFamily Fund
Have an achievement (e.g. publications, awards, appearances, etc) you would like highlighted in a future GJ Connections? Let us know by emailing sandy@globaljewry.org.
PS: If you don’t already do so, please ensure you are staying connected with Global Jewry by following us on social media on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
