Why We
Are Now
YWO
For years, our work has been known by one name: Amitsim. In Hebrew, it means “the courageous" and it describes the young widows, widowers and orphans we stand with. But to an English speaker, the word says nothing about who we are or what we do. YWO, Young Widows and Orphans, says it plainly. It tells the world who we are, what we do, and whom we represent. Same Mission. Same People. Same Families. Nothing about our commitment has changed. Our work, our team and our care for every family remain exactly as they were. Amitsim lives on as the heart of what we do, which is why we say YWO is the Home of Amitsim. Why Now We believe in a revolution. Young widowed and orphans should never be invisible. They deserve to be seen, heard, and supported with dignity, and that takes a movement, not just a program. We want this movement to go global. Grief and loss are not limited to one country. A name that everyone can understand at a glance can be carried everywhere, and we dream of seeing YWO US, YWO Switzerland, and chapters in many more countries, all working toward the same goal. Join Us Whether you have supported us for years or are just discovering our work, you are in the right place. Same mission, same families, a name the whole world can understand.
About Us
When a parent dies, a family does not cease to be a family. This simple conviction lies at the heart of Amitsim. Amitsim, meaning "The Brave Ones" in Hebrew, is an Israeli nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening widowed parents and their orphaned children. We believe that even after the devastating loss of a mother or father, the family that remains has the capacity to grow, flourish, and build a meaningful future together.
Our mission is to help widowed parents regain their confidence, reinforce their central role in their children's lives, and restore the sense of security, stability, and belonging that every family needs. Today, Amitsim represents the needs and interests of approximately 17,000 widowed families raising 30,000 orphaned children across Israel. Through family-centered programs, community connections, public advocacy, and efforts to secure recognition and rights, we work to ensure that these families receive the understanding, respect, and support they deserve.
Our name carries a deeper meaning. Amitsim is also a Hebrew acronym for Almanim/Almanot Yetomim Tzeirim — Young Widows, Widowers, and Orphans. It reflects both the courage required of families facing a new reality and our commitment to strengthening that courage.
Our work is inspired by the biblical vision of Hashem as "a father of orphans and a defender of widows" (Psalms 68:6). We believe that caring for widows and orphans is more than an act of compassion. It is a fundamental responsibility of society.
Because when we strengthen a family, we do more than help it overcome hardship. We help preserve its future.
How It All Began
In 2001, Hadass Dissen Glick's life changed forever when her young husband died suddenly, leaving her to raise their young children alone.
A home once filled with warmth, laughter, and the ordinary joys of family life was suddenly overwhelmed by grief and uncertainty. Her children had lost their father. Hadass had lost her husband. And together, they faced the enormous challenge of finding their way forward as a family.
At the very moment she needed strength and support, Hadass discovered how little help was available to a young widow raising orphaned children. Alongside her own grief, she carried the responsibility of restoring her children's sense of security, rebuilding their confidence, and keeping the family together.
She felt completely alone.
But out of that painful experience grew a profound sense of purpose. Hadass came to believe that Hashem Almighty had entrusted her with a new mission: to ensure that other widowed parents and orphaned children would never have to face that journey alone. Over the years, she became increasingly involved in advocating for widows, widowers, and orphaned children, learning firsthand how deeply their needs were misunderstood and how often the family itself was overlooked.
In 2017, she founded Amitsim, an Israeli nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening families raising orphaned children after the loss of a parent. What began as one mother's determination to rebuild her own family became a national mission: to help thousands of families rediscover their strength, restore their confidence, and embrace life together once again.
