Special Amitsim Programs
Amitism strives to be an anchor for young widows and widowers so they in turn can be strong anchors for their young children.
Amitsim Drop-in centers: A second home
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Located in different towns and cities across Israel, Amitsim drop-in centers are like a second home to Amitsim members -- like grandma and grandpa’s house. The goal is to expand to every city that contains at least two Amitsim families including within the Arab/Muslim communities.
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Once a week from 4 pm-7:30 pm, families of young widows, widowers, and their children meet at Amitsim. The children participate in meaningful workshops like gardening and art while the parents connect with one another and consult with the professional staff on site. Free hot/cold drinks are provided as well as fruit, and together they eat dinner together in a relaxed atmosphere
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Teenagers also come once a week, on a separate day, independently. They chat with a counselor, play games, and participate in therapeutic workshops like music or cooking.
The Lolly Project
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While it’s good for families to get out and connect to positive places and people outside their homes, it’s also imperative for them to bring positive energy into their homes To that end, Amitsim has engaged the help of medical clowns to visit orphaned families to bring light into their homes. They deliver personal packages of strength, goodies in honor of the Jewish holiday of Purim and Hanukkah, and special gifts at the start of the school year.
Learning Strategies
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Post-high school teens participating in Israel’s national service program receive special training in mind science, psychology, and pedagogy. By connecting with these children on an emotional level, the tutors have successfully enabled many children to learn more effectively.
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The tutors visit the orphaned families twice a week for a few hours each, bringing happiness and laughter. While playing together, cooking dinner together, and helping with homework, the tutors keep in mind their Amitsim training: to help the children access their emotions, help them to imagine their feelings seriously or hilariously, and then, connect those emotions/images to their learning to make it memorable and lasting.
Online National support group for young widows and widowers
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After suffering a loss, it’s challenging for individuals to attend to the tasks of daily life or to properly care for themselves or others. Amitsim provides a network of online and live support groups to ease their situation, to enable them to properly express themselves, and communicate with their surroundings so they can focus on the essential task of long-term healing. With the help of expert psychologists, these small, intimate groups empower young widows and widowers.
Online National support workshops for young children dealing with the loss of a parent
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With common interests and experience, elementary-aged children connect to one another via Zoom. Amitsim makes sure young orphaned children from around the country who do not have an Amitsim drop-in center nearby, will enjoy the company of equals while sharing a hobby or mutual interest. The goal is to ensure orphaned kids grow up with an inner sense of meaning and motivation to achieve future goals.
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These groups not only strengthen them in the present but help promote healthy growth for the future.
Advocacy for Amitsim members
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Regional authorities take responsibility for this sphere as part of the social safety net that society must provide its citizens. Therefore, Amitsim seeks to influence their decision-making, by providing them with research and ideas for new initiatives. In addition, Amitsim established an advocacy group of 40 Israeli Knesset members to lobby for new legislation to benefit young families that have lost a parent and spouse.
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When it comes to policy change, Amitsim advocates focus on the importance and meaning of the family unit. As a child grows up, his/her father and mother figures are irreplaceable. A solid family unit supports and builds a child’s emotional and mental health.
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In Israel, like in many Western countries, young widows/ers and their orphaned kids are not an independent entity with official rights. They are merely “dependent leftovers” of a deceased parent who paid social security.
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As a result, city and government officials do not study or address the special needs of the young orphaned family. Widows and orphans are considered to be regular citizens with just early rights for subjective pension. There is no recognition of their status.
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Amitsim’s goal is to change the status quo, bringing issues connected to widows/ers and their children to the forefront and to advocate for policy changes.
