Achim Shelanu/Our Brothers
Achim Shelanu
Our Brothers
The Achim Shelanu/Our Brothers organization is a unique community that arose from profound pain and a fundamental need for recognition and support. In the Israeli bereaved community, siblings bear immense loss, yet often don’t receive sufficient official support from state institutions.
Our Brothers, founded in 2017 by a group of bereaved siblings, was established precisely to fill this void. In the past year and a half, approximately 5,000 new siblings have joined the existing 40,000 veteran siblings, highlighting the critical importance of this community of peers. We work to strengthen the mental, emotional, and social resilience of our members, providing a warm home and tools for coping with loss, alongside genuine connection within the community.
Supporting Bereaved Siblings, Building Resilience.
A strong community in the face of loss.
In the world of bereavement, there’s an unwritten hierarchy where bereaved siblings don’t receive recognition or official support from state institutions. OurBrothers Association was founded in 2017 by a group of bereaved siblings to fill this void. Over the past year and a half, approximately 5,000 new siblings have joined 40,000 bereaved Israeli siblings, highlighting the increasing need of this unrecognised community who cope with bereavement as well as broken family. Our association defines a bereaved sibling as anyone who lost a brother or sister during their military service and in acts of hostility or terrorism.
Our community is facing bereavement alongside the ongoing war, which further challenges our coping mechanisms and necessitates immediate support for this community.
OUR CHALLENGE
We work to strengthen the mental, emotional, and social resilience of bereaved siblings – a growing community in need. Our efforts are centered on the creation of a warm welcoming home, a support group that establishes a sense of belonging, and a team of experts able to provide tools for coping with loss, while strengthening personal and communal resilience.
OUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAM
Annual Support Package for a Bereaved Sibling
♦ Emotional Support
Personal and group guidance throughout learning and integration processes.
♦ Personal Mentoring
Tailored mentoring and advice to meet the unique needs of each scholarship recipient.
♦ Community Connection
Integration into the association’s programs and strengthening the sense of belonging within the bereaved sibling community.
♦ Professional Guidance
Assistance in choosing study/training paths and navigating the employment market.
♦ Commemoration Platform
We provide tools and skills through healing writing workshops, art exhibitions, commemorative books, and more.
Investment: 1,800 AUD provides a full annual scholarship for one bereaved sibling, covering essential training, education, or employment-related support.
