TL;DR: Inbal Freund, President of Hatashtit, highlights the powerful ways bereaved Israeli families are transforming personal grief into impactful social ventures. From memorial card games to trauma-healing initiatives and home furnishing projects for war-affected families, these efforts, guided by Hatashtit and supported by the Global Jewry network, turn pain into purpose.

Last week, I had the privilege of sitting with the parents of Shai Michaeli z”l, a young soldier who fell in battle. We spoke about the values that shaped him, about who he was, and about the card game they created in his memory-a tool to pass on his spirit to the next generation. There was such depth in their eyes. Such nobility. All they want is for us to remember, together, the hero who grew up in their home.

At Hatashtit, a proud and active member of the Global Jewry network, we work with both nonprofits and philanthropic foundations to build high-impact partnerships and help social ventures move from early-stage ideas to scalable, sustainable initiatives. We provide strategic guidance to social entrepreneurs and funders alike-ensuring that vision and values are matched with practical tools for long-term success. And we share Global Jewry’s commitment to strengthening communication, connection and cooperation throughout the Jewish world.

The conversation with Shai’s parents took place during a professional workshop I led for bereaved families who are building social ventures in memory of their loved ones. As part of my work at Hatashtit, I offer tools and strategic guidance for building meaningful, sustainable partnerships. In this session, I shared insights on how to take a memorial initiative from its early “start-up” stage to sustainable scale, while staying rooted in values and community. Together, we explored practical ways to fundraise, tell stories with integrity, and find allies who will walk the path with them.

The families I met are transforming grief into impact in astonishing ways: a food truck in memory of Uriya Yaakov z”l, created to bring bereaved mothers out of their homes and into army bases-cooking and giving back to soldiers. Colorful ice baths with rubber ducks, in memory of Eli Baram z”l, murdered at the Nova festival. These playful interventions are now helping trauma survivors take their first steps toward healing. A pre-army academy in northern Israel, founded in memory of Regev Amar z”l, dedicated to building the next generation of strong and ethical Israeli leadership. And of course, the card game honoring Shai z”l, designed by his family to carry forward his values through play, reflection, and shared memory.

These are not isolated efforts. At Hatashtit, we accompany dozens of ventures born from personal loss and transformed into civic leadership. Among them: “Hazit HaBayit” (The Homefront) – a social initiative founded at the outbreak of the Iron Swords War in October 2023 by Orly, Ido, and Adia Robinson, along with Ted Barr. Their mission: to furnish and equip the homes of families impacted by the war-including evacuees from the south and north, families of wounded soldiers, former hostages, Nova survivors, reservists, and others affected by economic hardship due to the war. Operating from a warehouse in Emek Hefer-dubbed “the most beautiful hangar in the world”-this free “home store” includes over 20 departments: homeware, textiles, furniture, appliances, lighting, art, vintage items, rugs, and more. With the help of over 170 volunteers, Hazit HaBayit has supported more than 2,700 families to date.

“Ot.Hayim” (A Letter of Life) is another initiative that transforms the handwriting of victims and fallen soldiers into living memorials. In collaboration with bereaved families, designers create custom fonts based on the original handwriting of their loved ones-preserving their personality, style, and presence through every letter. Born from the shared grief after October 7, each typeface becomes a timeless tribute woven into the digital world.

Civil Squads of Israel is a grassroots initiative born out of the security vacuum following October 7. Founded by Nir Alon, a survivor from Kibbutz Sufa, along with Daniel Bochan and Alon Tirer, the project provides emergency equipment to civilian response units (kitot konenut) in border communities. From encrypted radios to night vision gear and helmets, they answer every call from the field with action.

Each of these founders took pain-and turned it into public service.

We owe it to those who fell protecting our lives, and to those who were murdered simply because they were Israeli like us. May we be worthy of their legacy. May we remember them. And may we support and embrace the families left behind, who miss them every single day.

As part of this global Jewish story, something deeply moving is now unfolding: several Jewish families abroad who heard about Shai’s story have offered to host his parents this summer. Just a few days of breathing, remembering, and being together-with open hearts and shared memory.

Because that’s what we do, as a people. We show up for each other. Across oceans. Across languages. Across grief.

And I know this from my own family’s story.

Over the years, my family has lost six loved ones to war and terror: Shlomo Freund z”l, my father’s brother, who fell in Gush Etzion in 1948. David Mettal z”l, my grandmother’s brother on the other side, who commanded battles in the south and fell that same year. Hani, Yossi, and Shuvael Dickstein z”l, murdered together, leaving behind nine orphaned children-Hani was my first cousin. And Noam Meirson z”l, my step-cousin, who fell in the 2006 Second Lebanon War.

Our families are never the same. The loss reshapes everything.

But life is incredibly strong. Creation, innovation, and the power to build anew-they are also forces of healing. In a reality shaped by trauma, they are a lifeline back into meaning, connection, and hope.

The pain is real. And so is the possibility.

With respect and partnership, and may this be the week the hostages return home,

Inbal Freund

President, Hatashtit