A Single Act of Compassion
OneFamily began with the selfless decision of one young girl.
In August 2001, Michal Belzberg was preparing for her Bat Mitzvah in Jerusalem when a suicide bombing struck the crowded Sbarro restaurant on the day of her 12th birthday. Fifteen people were murdered, and approximately 130 others were wounded.
Following the attack, Michal felt that she could not go ahead with her celebration. She decided to cancel her Bat Mitzvah party and donate the money to those affected. She also asked her friends and family to donate the gifts they had planned to give her. Together, Michal and the Belzberg family raised more than $100,000.
As the family began meeting those affected by the attack, they realized that financial assistance alone was not enough. Families were facing grief, trauma, and the long process of rebuilding their lives. They needed ongoing support and a community that would continue to stand beside them.
From that realization, OneFamily was born.
In the aftermath, Michal made an unexpected decision to cancel her celebration and donate the funds to the victims. She also asked friends and family to contribute what they had planned to give her.
Together, they raised more than $100,000.
What started as a Bat Mitzvah project would become something much bigger.
Building Something That Didn't Exist
What began as a personal initiative grew into a nationwide organization supporting thousands of Israelis rebuilding their lives after terror.
Today, OneFamily provides long-term support to wounded survivors, orphaned children, bereaved parents, siblings, spouses, and families whose lives have been changed forever.
From emergency assistance to therapy, retreats, rehabilitation, financial support, and community programs, OneFamily is there long after the headlines have faded.
From One Act of Compassion to OneFamily
The Beginning of OneFamily
After the Sbarro bombing, 12-year-old Michal Belzberg gives up her bat mitzvah celebration to raise funds for the victims. Inspired by her initiative, her parents, Marc and Chantal Belzberg, establish OneFamily.
Over the Next Decade Growing Across Israel
OneFamily grows into a nationwide community providing long-term emotional, financial, and practical support to victims of terror and their families.
National Recognition
OneFamily receives Israel’s Presidential Citation for Volunteerism.
Responding to Unprecedented Need
Following the October 7 attacks, OneFamily dramatically expands its services to support 4,000 additional families affected by terror and war.
The Genesis Prize
OneFamily is among five Israeli organizations awarded the Genesis Prize for supporting hostages and their families following October 7.
25 Years of OneFamily
As OneFamily marks 25 years, founder Chantal Belzberg receives the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement.
A Family for Life
OneFamily has supported more than 12,000 families and continues to provide lifelong emotional, financial, and practical support across Israel.
OneFamily Today
Today, OneFamily provides personalized, long term support to wounded survivors, bereaved families, and victims of terror throughout Israel. Through emotional support, rehabilitation, financial assistance, retreats, support groups, and community programs, OneFamily remains beside each family for as long as they need.
What began with one act of compassion has grown into one family, standing together through grief, healing, and hope.
