The IDF Widows & Orphans Organization has announced the appointment of Rabbi Shmuel Bistritzky, a Chabad Shliach and Rabbi of the town of Savyon in central Israel, as its Rabbi and spiritual advisor.
The non-profit organization, recognized by the State of Israel, was established in 1991 and serves more than 8,000 widows and orphans. It provides financial aid, emotional and educational programs, and community activities to help bereaved families.
Addressing the challenges faced by bereaved families, Rabbi Bistritzky emphasized the importance of helping children navigate spiritual life in the absence of a parent. “A mother can make Kiddush on Friday night just like a father,” he said. “It’s important that widows know this. In homes with older siblings, you can even have a ‘Shabbat Father’ rotation, where each child takes a turn making Kiddush.”
He added: “These children have no father to help them don tefillin or wrap them in a tallis. All of us — the entire Jewish people — must step in and try to fill that space. These fathers gave their lives for all of us, and the least we can do is be there for their children — both in meaningful life moments and in everyday routines.”
Adapted from COLlive
