Edited by: Fern Sidman

The American Friends of IDF Widows and Orphans (IDFWO-USA) has announced a pivotal moment in its mission to support the families of Israel’s fallen defenders: the appointment of Dan Elbaum as its first Executive Director. This newly created role represents a historic expansion of the organization’s reach, with Elbaum charged with leading efforts in the United States to strengthen ties between American Jewry and the spouses and children left behind by Israel’s fallen heroes.

The appointment comes at a time of extraordinary urgency. Since the horrors of October 7, 2023, Israel has faced unprecedented losses. Nearly 900 Israeli soldiers have fallen, leaving behind more than 330 widowed spouses and close to 800 children. The IDF Widows & Orphans Organization (IDFWO), long devoted to caring for this vulnerable community, has tripled in size during the current war in order to meet the surging needs of bereaved families.

Against this backdrop, Elbaum’s arrival is not merely organizational housekeeping—it is a deeply symbolic gesture of solidarity at a time when Israel’s defenders and their families require more support than ever.

A Distinguished Jewish Communal Leader

Elbaum brings to IDFWO-USA an extensive background in Jewish communal leadership. As Head of North America for The Jewish Agency for Israel, he spearheaded efforts to rally support for global Jewish crises, most recently the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the aftermath of Hamas’s October 7 massacre. His leadership during these crises was marked by swift mobilization of resources and community outreach, qualities that will prove indispensable in his new role.

The grandson of Holocaust survivors and the son of an Israeli immigrant, Elbaum embodies the intertwined narratives of trauma, resilience, and Zionist commitment that resonate deeply within both Israel and the Diaspora. His personal history lends gravity to his professional mission: to strengthen the bond between American Jews and the Israeli families carrying the heaviest burden of national sacrifice.

“IDFWO-USA’s work has always been vital, but in the wake of October 7, it is nothing less than indispensable,” Elbaum said in his first remarks as Executive Director. “I am humbled and honored to work with the board and the IDF Widows & Orphans Organization to do everything possible to stand with the families of Israel’s fallen soldiers and security service members. We owe them a debt that can never be repaid.”

A Moral Imperative After October 7

The grim statistics since the start of the war highlight the gravity of the task. With nearly a thousand soldiers lost and countless others wounded, the trauma has rippled through Israeli society. Every fallen soldier leaves behind not only grieving comrades, but also shattered families. The work of IDFWO has been to fill those voids with support, financial aid, educational opportunities, and a sense of belonging to a broader family of the Jewish people.

Elbaum’s appointment formalizes the U.S. Jewish community’s role in this sacred mission. His task is to mobilize American Jewry, deepen financial and moral support, and forge enduring connections between bereaved Israeli families and Jewish communities abroad.

Voices of Endorsement

Elbaum’s appointment drew strong endorsements from Israeli leaders and international figures alike.

Shlomi Nahumson, CEO of the IDF Widows & Orphans Organization, described the appointment as a “historic moment”:

“For the first time, we have a dedicated leader in the United States whose sole mission is to strengthen the bond between American Jewry and the widows and orphans of Israel’s fallen heroes. Dan brings not only experience and passion, but also a deep personal connection to Israel and the Jewish people. Together, we will ensure that every widow and every orphan knows they are not alone, that the Jewish world stands with them, today and always.”

The endorsement was echoed by Yossi Cohen, President of the International Friends of IDF Widows & Orphans Organization and former head of the Mossad. Cohen emphasized that supporting these families is not merely a charitable cause but a moral and national imperative: “Dan Elbaum’s leadership is a significant step forward in deepening the global commitment to Israel’s widows and orphans. His proven ability to unite communities and mobilize support will ensure that the families of our fallen heroes are embraced with dignity, strength, and solidarity. As someone who has spent my life safeguarding Israel, I know that standing with these families is not only a moral obligation—it is a sacred duty we share as one people.”

Max August, a board member of IDFWO-USA, framed the mission as central to Jewish identity: “This cause represents the very heart of what it means to be one people. Dan’s leadership gives us the opportunity to elevate our work to a whole new level—expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and ensuring that every family who has made the ultimate sacrifice knows that American Jewry stands firmly by their side. This is more than philanthropy; it is a mission of honor and responsibility.”

Building a Bridge Between Israel and the Diaspora

The appointment of Elbaum highlights the increasingly global scope of the IDFWO’s mission. Historically centered in Israel, the organization has expanded its outreach to the Diaspora, recognizing that the burden of national defense—and the losses it entails—belongs to the Jewish people as a whole.

For American Jewry, the message is clear: the fate of Israel’s widows and orphans is not an Israeli issue alone but a Jewish issue worldwide. By placing a dedicated leader in the United States, IDFWO-USA signals its intent to create deeper, more sustained partnerships with Jewish federations, philanthropists, and grassroots communities across the country.

This expansion reflects a broader reality: after October 7, the bonds between Israel and the Diaspora are being redefined. For many, the war underscored the existential threats Israel faces, and with it, the need for Jewish solidarity across oceans and continents.

Looking Forward

Elbaum takes on his role at a moment of both tragedy and possibility. The numbers—hundreds of widows, nearly a thousand orphans—are staggering. Yet within those numbers lies an opportunity for the Jewish world to reaffirm its unity, to declare that the sacrifices of Israel’s defenders will never be forgotten and their families will never stand alone.

His leadership will be measured not only in fundraising totals or the number of programs expanded, but in the intangible sense of belonging and solidarity felt by families who have lost everything. If, in the wake of loss, those families feel embraced by a global Jewish community, then IDFWO-USA’s mission will be fulfilled.

For Elbaum, the task is both professional and personal. As he put it, “We owe them a debt that can never be repaid.” That acknowledgment—of infinite obligation—lies at the heart of his new role and the work of IDFWO-USA.

In a world where Israel’s sacrifices are too often ignored or politicized, the appointment of Dan Elbaum signals something rare: a clear moral stance that widows and orphans are not statistics, but sacred responsibilities, and that their pain demands not only empathy but action.

About IDFWO-USA

The IDF Widows and Orphans Organization (IDFWO), a nonprofit organization founded in 1991, is the only official body in Israel dedicated to supporting the widows, widowers, and children of fallen soldiers and security personnel—including members of the Israel Police, the Israel Security Agency, Mossad, Israel Prison Service, and civilian emergency response units. Since its founding, the organization has stood by thousands of bereaved families whose loved ones were killed while serving and defending the State of Israel and its people. From the War of Independence until today, IDFWO has supported widows, widowers, and orphans as they move forward and rebuild their lives with strength and dignity.

American Friends of IDF Widows and Orphans (IDFWO-USA) is the sole partner of IDFWO in the U.S.