Or For Family

Irit Oren Gunders, Founder, Chairman and CEO

Dear Benefactors,

In the framework of my military duty, as Head of the Human Resources Division of the IDF Combat Engineering Corps, I have met parents who had lost their children in military operations. I have accompanied these families through the mourning process and visited them in their toughest hours.

In addition, I identified the great need to help them escape their loneliness, sense of detachment and depression that follow a significant personal loss. When I was released from active duty, I began to host support group meetings in my home for a small circle of Engineering Corps families. More parents who lost their children in Israel's wars joined the group, and slowly but surely the circle of families began to grow.

In 2008, I established the "Or Lamishpachot Association" to serve as a comprehensive family bereavement support program that would fill the families' lives with substance and joint endeavors which generate positive social impact, provide them with empowering experiences and help them reinforce family ties.

Goals and Objectives

Or Lamishpachot is a non-profit organization for families of fallen IDF soldiers. The organization received the 2013 Presidential Award for Volunteerism for its unique contribution to social welfare in Israel.

The Or Lamishpachot Association was established to help bereaved parents in their long and continuous process of returning to an active and productive life. The Association's aim is to support these parents and lift their spirits, plant the seed of hope and optimism, and motivate them to choose life.

Irit Oren Gunders, Lieutenant Colonel (res.) founded the Association and serves as a Chairperson and CEO on a voluntary basis.

The Association offers activities conducted solely for the bereaved, enabling them to feel more comfortable in engaging in these activities. The loss of a loved one leaves a huge void in one’s life. One feels that life has lost its meaning and subsequently family life is disrupted. The grieving process is ongoing. A significant part of the rehabilitation process is returning to social activity. We provide the families with the opportunity to partake in and experience the happier and brighter moments of life.

The Association conducts broad-based and diverse activity for bereaved families from all over Israel, to ensure continuity and afford opportunities to gather and gain valuable experiences through enrichment programs. Over 1,000 families take part in the Association's activities, and their number is growing from year to year. We invest tremendous efforts to reach every family of fallen soldiers, both veteran and newly bereaved families. Irit is personally acquainted with these families, and is familiar with their stories, they have a very high regard for her in view of the great responsibility and commitment that she has taken upon herself.

The Team

Transparency

Or Families believes in the full transparency and commitment of the organization to the general public volunteers and donors.

Here you will find all the approvals relating to proper management of the association's activities and all the forms for tax purposes.