Give a grieving mother room to breathe
Colel Chabad’s Chesed Menachem Mendel retreats give widowed mothers a true pause from carrying everything alone, with healing, rest, and the company of women who understand.
mothers welcomed at each retreat
widow and orphan families in the program
hours of healing, rest, and renewal
Where grief meets joy
Sponsor a widows' retreat through Colel Chabad, Israel's oldest continuous Jewish charity
A widowed mother never gets a day off, carrying responsibilities that never let up and a grief that has no words. A quiet cup of coffee feels like a luxury from another life. Since Oct 7th, that reality has reached families across Israel who never imagined it would be theirs.
For generations, Colel Chabad’s tzedakah and long-standing widows and orphans charity have been a beacon of compassion in Israel. Through Chesed Menachem Mendel, we walk with these families every day of the year. And once in a while, we do something just for the mother.
We give her room to breathe.
Strength for the women who hold everything together
When you sponsor a retreat, you are not just funding a getaway. For these mothers, a day to breathe is lifesaving.
A reason to breathe
Colel Chabad's retreats help widowed mothers heal by providing...
…a true pause
Held in serene, beautiful locations, each retreat offers 24 hours away from the relentless routine.
Gourmet meals, quiet, and time to simply rest.
…healing for body and soul
Spa treatments, including massage, Shiatsu, and reflexology, alongside psychology sessions and empowerment workshops.
Time to process grief and rebuild strength among women who understand.
…care for their children
While mothers rest, their children enjoy warm, supervised programming and activities tailored to every age.
The whole family comes home renewed.
A retreat makes healing with hope possible
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to attend a widows' retreat?
Retreats are for widowed mothers in Colel Chabad’s Chesed Menachem Mendel program for widows and orphans.
What does a retreat include?
A typical retreat is a 24-hour stay in a serene location, with meals, spa and healing treatments, empowerment workshops, and warm supervised programming for the children.
When are retreats held?
Retreats run throughout the year, including special retreats around Chanukah.
Is there a cost to participants?
No. Retreats are fully sponsored by donors so that every mother can attend without any financial burden.
Give charity to Israel
Since 1788, Colel Chabad has been fighting poverty and caring for widows and orphans in Israel. Colel Chabad is Israel’s longest-operating charity and a trustworthy non-profit for you to support.
Help a grieving mother find rest, strength, and the reminder that she is not alone.
Give a widowed mother room to breathe today.
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