'Mothers for Mothers: Strengthening reserve families after war'

'Supporting new mothers in reserve families impacted by war through 'Mothers for Mothers' initiative by Materna, the anchor association, and Yami cooks.'

  Mothers for mothers: strengthening the reserve families that expanded in the shadow of the war (photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)
Mothers for mothers: strengthening the reserve families that expanded in the shadow of the war
(photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)

Birth is a happy and exciting experience in the life of every family. But giving birth during wartime adds another and more complex dimension to the birth experience. The challenges that childbirth brings under a complex and unusual reality are many and may overwhelm a wide range of emotions. Along with the joy and excitement over the expansion of the family, there is also uncertainty, stress and worry, loneliness and dealing with the non-stop daily routine. 

For mothers a kind word and encouragement are sometimes all that is needed to be filled with peace and renewed strength. Many heroes and heroines were discovered this year in Israeli society, among them the reserve women (and those recruited themselves) who gave birth in the last year under a complex and unusual reality. As part of the "Mothers for Mothers" activity, Materna together with the anchor association for the reserve families and the cooking website "Yami", call on Israeli mothers to strengthen a woman who has given birth to a child who has expanded her family in the past year and needs a kind word and encouragement to remind her that someone sees her and thinks of her. 

For the benefit of the activity, a unique mini-site was launched through which mothers can send best wishes and words of encouragement to another mother of their choice who gave birth in the last year. Along with the personal blessing, the mother-to-be will receive a gift of 50 shekels to order food of her choice and taste, which will be specially prepared for them by one of the cooks on the Yami website, if the mother-to-be is also a woman. Reservists will be able to receive accompaniment and support on behalf of the anchor association for the families of the reservists.

  Mothers for mothers: a joint initiative of Materna, Yami and the anchor association for the reserve families (credit: PR)
Mothers for mothers: a joint initiative of Materna, Yami and the anchor association for the reserve families (credit: PR)

According to Yael David, Materna's marketing director: "At Materna, we see support for parents as an integral part of what we do. The war brought with it many challenges to the whole of Israeli society, even giving birth in the current reality has become more challenging, certainly in situations where the family is mobilized. As a company that accompanies parents in their routine and whose people experience parenting in Israel personally, it was important for us to go through a process that would give mothers a little comfort - a kind and strengthening word that reminds you that there are those who see and appreciate you. We are grateful to the Hagoen Association for the reserve families for their blessed work and support for the reserve families and to the website 'Yami', an Israeli business of homemade hot food And comfort for the cooperation and the right to act together and strengthen the local industry." 

According to Rachel Azaria, former member of the Knesset and founding CEO of "The Anchor for the Reserve Families": The years when children are born are also the years when the reserves are made, and a lot of reservist wives and reservist families give birth during the war, which is a huge challenge. That's why we are at the anchor for the reserve families, here for Every reservist family, and even more so after giving birth. We are happy to launch the exciting collaboration with Materna, in which we can provide support and show solidarity to those new mothers who have recently given birth and whose spouses are being recruited. We are here for you, and we will be happy to come to you with all our volunteers to help." 

According to Chen Lev Ami, founder and CEO of Yami: "I am happy and proud to be a part of this blessed project, where reservist women who have given birth receive reinforcements and support, through blessings and good food. We want to make it easier for mothers and also to give real comfort and health to the body and mind. We at Yami always do everything possible, and especially since the outbreak of the war, to support through the most important thing - food, and we are happy to continue the trend and also join this project in cooperation with Materna and the anchor association."

To enter the website of the activity "Mothers for Mothers"