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About Us
Born out of the tragedy of October 7th and the painful aftermath that followed, HaYeladim Shalanu, Our Children, was created for one purpose: to bring comfort, stability, and hope to the children and families whose lives were shattered in an instant.
When a child loses a parent, or a family is torn apart by war, the wounds run deep. We step in to help carry that weight, with love, dignity, and unwavering support.
Our mission is simple and sacred: to surround every child and their immediate family with the care, resources, and emotional strength they need to heal, rebuild, and rediscover moments of light.
Guided by the compassion and leadership of our founder, Joseph Waks, HaYeladim Shalanu has already brought comfort to thousands. To date, we have provided over $2 million in direct support from, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs for orphans, to deeply meaningful Shabbat and holiday meals, to retreats for widows, to joyful celebrations and life-restoring moments that remind families they are not alone.
Even as the conflict continues, our promise remains the same:
to stand by Israel’s orphans, widows, and bereaved families with love, presence, and care, today, tomorrow, and for as long as they need.
"We believe in embracing children who have lost loved ones as our own, providing them with the love and support they need to thrive and become beacons of hope."
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to embrace every orphaned child and grieving family with the love, stability, and hope they deserve.
When tragedy steals the safety of a parent, we step in, offering emotional support, essential care, and moments of light that help them rebuild their world.
We walk beside Israel’s youngest heroes, restoring childhood where it was shattered and reminding them that they are never alone.
We are building a network of hope across Israel, expanding HaYeladim Shalanu into more cities so that every orphaned child, every grieving family, has someone standing beside them. With dedicated representatives on the ground, we identify needs quickly and fill the gaps with love, stability, and care. Our vision is simple: no child should ever walk through loss alone.
OUR VISION
Meet theFounder
Joseph Waks
Founding President
Joseph Waks is the living heartbeat behind HaYeladim Shalanu. In the aftermath of October 7th, he traveled through Israel and saw what few could bear to witness, children navigating unbearable loss, widows holding families together alone, and communities stretched beyond their limits. What struck him most was how easily these young souls could be forgotten in the chaos of war.
He refused to let that happen.
Driven by compassion and a fierce sense of responsibility, Joseph began showing up for these children, not just with resources, but with presence, dignity, and love. What started as a personal mission quickly grew into a movement. Under Joseph’s leadership, HaYeladim Shalanu now brings emotional support, celebrations, meals, mentorship, and life-changing stability to thousands of orphans and bereaved families across Israel.
A Jerusalem native raised in Melbourne, Joseph carries a legacy of service from both his family and his own global experiences as a rabbi, businessman, and community leader. His ability to connect, to mobilize, and to inspire others has transformed a moment of crisis into a lifeline of hope.
Joseph continues to lead with the same belief that began it all:
Every child deserves to be seen, remembered, and held, especially in their darkest hour.