When Gal found out she was pregnant with her third child, it was a brief moment of joy amidst Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas. Living in a small settlement, her husband, Itay, had been away on reserve duty, leaving her to care for their two young sons. 

At 32 weeks pregnant, Gal’s world was shattered when Itay was tragically killed in action. As she grappled with the devastating loss of her husband, Gal knew that one thing could not wait—the birth of her baby.

"I knew that if there’s one thing I couldn’t ignore or postpone, it was the birth of this child," Gal said. "I needed to be ready, not just for myself, but for my two boys at home."

In the midst of grieving, Gal learned about the Israel Midwives Association's "By Your Side Program," a special initiative funded by the Jewish Federations of North America to support expectant mothers who experienced the profound loss of a partner. Gal was paired with two midwives who became her pillars of strength.

The midwives met with Gal regularly in the weeks leading up to her due date, working closely to prepare her mentally and physically for the birth. "The birth itself was a moment of healing. Surrounded by the sensitivity and care of her midwives, Gal experienced what she described as an "amazing" birth. 

"I felt their support during the birth physically and also emotionally, and the birth was perfect in that sense of how I wanted it to be."

Following the birth of her son, Romi, the midwives involvement extended beyond the delivery room. They continued to support Gal through postpartum challenges, providing emotional support as she navigated life as a single mother.

As the war rages on, Gal's personal battle continues as well. Her two older boys, as well as her newborn son, keep her moving forward day by day and she hopes they will have a happy future.

Since the war began, “By Your Side” has supported 26 widows and six women whose partners were critically wounded. With Jewish Federations’ support, the program will expand to meet the growing need.

"I want to say thank you to [those] who support us from afar. It's been very, very impactful for my personal story.”

Gal’s story is a testament to the power of community, compassion, and resilience in the face of unimaginable grief. With the support of those around her, she continues to navigate the challenges of motherhood and loss with hope for the future.