"A Hug and a Gift" – Strengthening bereaved families • More volunteers needed

(haipo) – “Hug and a Gift” – a unique and moving project that began during the “Iron Swords” War, out of a deep understanding that bereaved families need ongoing support and not just on official days of remembrance. Dr. Yael Shuraki Alfasi, a psychotherapist and lecturer in the field of therapy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah College, and one of the initiators of the “Hug and a Gift” project, tells us in an interview with Lipah about the goal and importance.

We won't forget you.

"Our goal is to reach all bereaved families and give them the feeling that they are not alone," says Dr. Shuraki Alfasi. "We make sure to reach the families every Rosh Chodesh, when each volunteer is sent to the bereaved family with a symbolic gift and an encouraging letter - and this turned out to be a significant step." For the families, bereavement is an abyss that opened up in one day, and in one moment their world collapsed on them. "But very quickly, in the sea of ​​events, it seems that they are forgotten," she adds. "Therefore, when a stranger invests thought and effort to remind them that they are still important and that there is someone thinking about them - it is a deep embrace to the soul."

Long and painful lists

The volunteers choose the gifts themselves – flowers, chocolate, books, or even fresh lemons picked from the home garden. “The main thing is that the gesture be personal, with an open heart,” says Dr. Shuraki Alfasi. “Sometimes we leave the gift and the letter outside the door, but more often than not the door opens, and a special connection is formed. Some families invite us in, sit, drink tea, share – and thus a wonderful, immediate connection is created.”

Beyond the symbolic gesture, there is a deep message of recognition and respect. "When the family sees that regularly, every month, a person who is not a relative and not part of their close social circle comes to them - it tells them that they have not been forgotten," she explains. "We have an entire team of address finders, who work tirelessly to reach all the families. The lists are long and painful, but we are determined to make sure that there is not a single family member who does not receive a hug."

More volunteers needed

One of the special aspects of the project is that there are no external donations – everything is based on complete volunteerism and the volunteers' own pockets. "We already have thousands of volunteers, but we need many more."

According to Dr. Shuraki Alfasi, there are many moving stories that have emerged from these encounters. "I can tell you about a 22-year-old volunteer who began visiting a bereaved mother who was having a hard time coping with the loss. Over time, when the volunteer discovered that the mother loved to draw, she bought her a drawing pad and paints. Drawing became a healing tool for her, and was a significant part of her rehabilitation process. Sometimes, a small gesture can make a big difference."

Want to join?

The project has one basic requirement: volunteers over the age of 18 who commit to a year of regular visits. "These families have lost what is most precious to them – they deserve a helping hand, not just for a moment of comfort, but for long-term support."

If you are interested in volunteering and consider yourself ready for this mission, you are welcome to contact Dr. Shuraki Alfasi – WhatsApp only: 0523464222