Lt. Col. (res.) Irit Oren Gunders, founder and chairman of the Or L’Mishpachot organization (“Light for Families”), has big dreams and is turning them into reality. The latest dream now reaches the White House.
From a Living Room to a Lifelong Mission
It was 2004. Oren Gunders had no intention of building a national movement. She simply wanted to ease, even slightly, the pain of three bereaved families who had lost their sons – Moshe Taranto, Aviv Hakani, and Moshe Eini, combat soldiers in the Israeli Combat Engineering Corps who fell during operational activity in Gaza and the West Bank.
Because of her role as Head of the Officers Branch in the corps, she knew the families personally. Out of that shared connection and grief, she invited them into her home.
“At first, they didn’t want to come,” she recalls. “But I insisted, and they didn’t want to leave.”
The evening began in tears, but the hours passed, and the evening ended with hugs and lots of laughter.
That’s when Irit understood the power of togetherness.
What started as a single evening quickly became a tradition.
It was a turning point.
By Hanukkah of that same year, the initiative had already expanded into a large-scale candle lighting event. With the support of close friends, including former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe (Bogie) Ya’alon, and companies such as Shahal and the Azrieli Group, the foundation was laid for what would soon become Or L’Mishpachot .
A private gesture had become a life’s work.
Today, the organization embraces approximately 2,700 bereaved families, offering them a warm and supportive home. Since October 7, 1,000 families have joined the organization. “Our goal is not to replace Israel’s important memorial institutions,” Oren Gunders explains. “We are here to add another layer, one of life. We don’t focus only on remembering the past; we strive to be a beacon of hope in the present. Our mission is, quite simply, to help families choose life.”
At the heart of the organization lies a profound shift in perspective. Grief, in the view of Or L’Mishpachot , is not painted solely in black but also in white, a color symbolizing new beginnings and light.
Alongside honoring the fallen, the organization sanctifies life itself. Every activity stems from the belief that the greatest tribute to those who are gone is to fill the lives of those left behind with meaning, creativity, and vitality.
A Community That Touches Every Aspect of Life
The scope of the organization’s work is extensive and deeply human.
It begins with small, personal gestures—such as tailored holiday packages sent to families—and extends to meaningful financial support. During the most recent war alone, 250 academic scholarships valued at NIS 7,200 each were awarded to bereaved siblings.
Beyond material assistance, the organization creates moments of life and joy: cooking workshops led by renowned chefs such as Shaul Ben Aderet, Oren Asido, Segev Moshe, and Tamara Aharoni, offering the bereaved parents time for creativity, connection, and simple pleasure.
Behind this growing enterprise stands a volunteer leadership composed of prominent figures in Israeli society, including the organization’s President, Aharon Frenkel, and Moshe Edri, chairman of the Friends Association.
Journeys Without Borders
Oren Gunders’ vision extends far beyond Israel.
The organization leads delegations of bereaved parents to Jewish communities around the world, from Rome, Florence, and Milan to Vienna, Budapest, and Switzerland. These encounters are marked by shared prayers, forest plantings in memory of the fallen, and the dedication of new Torah scrolls.
There are also deeply personal journeys designed to restore strength and connection: an empowering trip to Vietnam for fathers, a ski delegation to Bulgaria for fathers and sons, a journey to Montenegro for mothers, and challenging treks in Georgia for fathers and daughters.
In these moments, nature and togetherness allow parents to reconnect with life’s pulse.
Turning Pain into Song
One of the most moving initiatives is the organization’s choir.
Through music, pain is transformed into harmony. Members undergo a powerful personal journey on stage, rediscovering their voices—both literally and emotionally.
“My dream,” she says, “is to bring our choir to perform at the White House. I truly believe anything is possible. We dream, and we make those dreams come true, together.”
Source:
www.jpost.com
