According to the FIDF, more than 1,500 grandparents have lost grandchildren in IDF service since October 7, 2023.
By Hezy Laing
In November 2025, a new program launched by Friends of the Israel Defense Forces has begun to provide structured support for grieving grandparents of fallen IDF soldiers, a group often overlooked in Israel’s bereavement circles.
The initiative, which grew out of the Bereaved Families Retreat held in late 2024, has already reached more than 245 grandparents and is expanding into regional support groups across the country.
According to FIDF, more than 1,500 grandparents have lost grandchildren in IDF service since October 7, 2023, when Hamas carried out its massacre of over 1,200 Israelis and left entire families shattered.
One of the participants, Ruthie and Andy Weiser from Ra’anana, lost their grandson Staff Sgt. Roey Weiser, who was killed defending his base on October 7.
They described the retreat as the first time they felt truly seen.
Ruthie explained that while parents and siblings are often recognized in national ceremonies, grandparents are expected to remain strong in silence.
Sharing their grief with others who had endured similar losses gave them a sense of belonging and helped them begin to heal.
Miriam Cohen of Haifa, whose grandson Sgt. Daniel Cohen fell in Gaza in December 2023, said she had spent months supporting her daughter and son‑in‑law while suppressing her own grief.
At the retreat she joined a therapy circle where she spoke openly for the first time about the pain of losing Daniel, who was only 21.
She recalled how he had dreamed of becoming a doctor after his service.
Miriam said the program allowed her to honor his memory while finally acknowledging her own sorrow.
Moshe Levi from Be’er Sheva, is grandfather of Corporal Yonatan Levi, who was killed in northern Gaza in January 2024.
Moshe, a retired teacher, said he had felt invisible during memorial events.
At the retreat he met other grandparents and formed lasting friendships.
He now participates in monthly support meetings and volunteers to help organize future gatherings.
The program includes workshops, memorial ceremonies, and community events, and is being expanded under the leadership of FIDF’s Legacy Programs director.
By creating a dedicated space for grandparents, Israel is recognizing that grief reverberates across generations.
The initiative underscores the importance of collective healing and ensures that the role of grandparents in remembrance is honored alongside parents, widows, and siblings.
