Ohr Meir & Bracha was founded in 2002 by Liora Tedgi, a mother of 10 who was injured a number of years ago in a car bomb attack in Jerusalem. Liora set up the organization to respond to the unmet, unrecognized needs of victims of terror and their families. Terror attacks destroy the lives not only of those who perish but also of those who survive. There are hundreds of victims of terror who “fall between the cracks” of the Israeli government’s aid initiatives. They do not receive help because their injuries are deemed insufficient to be recognized as medical disabilities, or because they are still in the process of being assessed for disability (which can take two or more years).
Terror attacks do more than just destroy buildings and cause physical injury; they cause individuals great psychological stress, and interfere with the long-term livelihood of families. Many workers lose their jobs because of extended absences from work as a result of their own and/or family members’ injuries, but often they do not qualify for unemployment subsidies. Others are “unrecognized” or what are known as "secondary victims": individuals traumatized by having witnessed an attack, or are relatives of victims; people whose lives have been inexorably altered because of the death or disability of a family member as a result of terror. The pressures on the family unit following a terror attack can strain relationships to the breaking point, and lead to divorce, depression, or chronic unemployment.
Ohr Meir & Bracha does not use lengthy evaluation processes. It does not have eligibility criteria other than verifying that the individual is a primary or secondary victim of terror. It gives immediate assistance whenever possible. Perhaps you, or your friends at work or at school, or to mark a special occasion, will take the opportunity to make a direct donation to the needy families that we are privileged to help at Ohr Meir & Bracha. Should you wish to make a desperately needed donation, you may send a check, transfer money electronically, or donate online. For more details about donating, click on "Donations” tab at the top of the page.
The grief and pain of losing a loved one or enduring on-going extensive medical treatment can make it difficult for many families to cope with the daily caretaking needs of their children. Other families fall into acute financial crisis and do not have enough money to pay bills, buy food, or find psychological counseling. The Terror Victims Support Center seeks to aid these victims by offering vital services to help rebuild their lives.
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