Jerusalem, Israel, June 8, 2025 — The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Fund for the Victims of Terror, as well as Israel’s National Insurance Institute and Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, have announced the establishment of “Family Circle,” an initiative to fill alarming gaps in support for second- and third-degree relatives of hostages still held in Gaza, released hostages, and those murdered in the October 7th terrorist attacks.

In the new program, family members of October 7th victims—such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, in-laws, and others—will receive essential assistance that cultivates their resilience as they endure the lingering trauma of the atrocities committed by Hamas. During the next three years, approximately 6,000 Family Circle beneficiaries will have access to resources including various therapies, family intervention, self-help coaching for processing grief and loss, and coping tools. Those impacted on a first-degree level will receive individualized treatment, whereas second- and third-degree victims will receive group therapy. The initiative has launched with a budget of 14 million NIS ($3.95 million).

Hamas terrorists murdered 792 civilians and kidnapped approximately 251 on October 7th, 2023. The families of those murdered are still very much contending with the horrors of that day, while hostages’ families are living with the daily struggle to bring their loved ones home, as well as with the ongoing impact of captivity on those who survived the ordeal. Against the backdrop of this unprecedented devastation, Family Circle is stepping in to rebuild Israelis’ resilience on individual and national levels.

Ya’akov Margi, Minister of Welfare and Social Affairs, said, “This is an important step in strengthening personal, family, and national resilience. Since October 7, the State of Israel has been grappling with a painful and complex reality that requires us to take a broader look at the circles of impact. Extended family members—siblings, grandparents, uncles, and aunts—carry a heavy emotional and psychological burden and are often left outside the support frameworks. The ‘Family Circle’ program is designed to reach out to include them as well. I thank our partners at The Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror and the National Insurance Institute for joining this important mission.”

Crucially, Family Circle is offering these therapeutic resources to extended family members who have previously not been officially recognized as victims of terrorism, despite the roles they often play in assuming the burden of supporting first-degree relatives of the victims. These family members are frequently put in the position of suppressing their own emotional needs while they provide support. As such, the unprecedented scope of the terror requires a broader response that also addresses extended circles within affected families.

Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin, Chair of the Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror, said, “Since October 7, The Jewish Agency’s Fund has assisted approximately 15,000 victims, including around 6,000 through group therapy frameworks established specifically for ‘invisible victims’—those in the second and third circles of impact. From the very beginning of the war, Yael Raz, the Fund’s director, and I recognized that the scope of the trauma required us to expand our support beyond the immediate circle to groups such as grandparents, siblings, and uncles and aunts. In addition to the individual support for victims, providing a broad community response is critically important. The partnership with the Ministry of Welfare and the National Insurance Institute is enabling, for the first time, a systemic response for those overlooked groups—a vital step in rebuilding both personal and national resilience.”

Moran Mizrahi, Director of the National Insurance Institute’s Funds Division, said, “As the body responsible for assisting victims of terror, released hostages, their families, and the bereaved, the National Insurance Institute works around the clock—especially during times of war—to support, accompany, and help as much as possible in the difficult and unimaginable reality imposed on us since October 7.

Before the Swords of Iron War, there were around 9,000 civilian victims of terror. Since October 7, we now care for over 75,000 victims. Unfortunately, not all circles of terror victims are covered by existing legislation. Within the framework of the Funds Division, we see tremendous importance in adding another layer to the law, creating partnerships, and funding various organizations and projects that can provide emotional and therapeutic support to those affected. For us, addressing their needs is of utmost importance.”

A call for proposals has recently been made to identify professional organizations that will implement these services. The first-degree therapy groups are expected to begin operating in the second half of 2025.

Family Circle is the latest impactful initiative from The Jewish Agency’s Fund for the Victims of Terror, which operates with donations from The Jewish Federations of North America, Keren Hayesod, Israeli Spirit, and additional donors from across the Jewish world and Israel.

Media Contact:
Noa Amouyal, JCubed Communications
Noa@JCubedPR.com

About The Jewish Agency for Israel:

Since 1929, The Jewish Agency for Israel has been working to secure a vibrant Jewish future. Today, The Jewish Agency acts collectively to strengthen Israel and the Jewish people worldwide—by advancing Aliyah as a core value, deepening connections between our global Jewish family, supporting the resilience and security of global Jewish communities, and encouraging every Jewish person to engage with Israel. The Jewish Agency also continues to be the Jewish world’s first responder, prepared to address the Jewish people’s greatest challenges and respond to emergencies in Israel, and to rescue Jews from countries where they are at risk.