In the wake of the devastating attacks on October 7, 2023, which left approximately 1,200 people dead and 251 held hostage—the deadliest assault on the Jewish community since the Holocaust—there has been a profound reassessment of the phrase "Never Again." Marc Belzberg, chairman and co-founder of OneFamily, an Israeli organization dedicated to supporting victims of terror and war, reflects on the limits of that vow and proposes a renewed commitment focused on remembrance and communal solidarity.

For decades, "Never Again" has been a powerful expression of collective determination born from the Holocaust's horrors. However, the recent tragedy demonstrated that the phrase encapsulates more hope than guarantee. Belzberg emphasizes that while the promise of "Never Again" cannot be assured, the Jewish community can pledge never to forget and never to leave victims and bereaved families isolated.

Belzberg’s views are shaped by more than 25 years of experience supporting families affected by terror. His personal journey began after the 2001 Sbarro restaurant suicide bombing in Jerusalem, which killed 15 people. His daughter Michal, then 12, canceled her bat mitzvah celebrations to donate to victims’ families. Observing the long-term struggles these families faced, with little organized support beyond the initial crisis, the Belzbergs helped establish OneFamily to provide sustained care.

Belzberg notes that grief does not follow a predictable path and often intensifies in waves. The third anniversary of a loss can be among the most challenging periods, as survivors confront the reality that external support has diminished while emotional pain remains acute. Since the October 7 attacks, OneFamily has expanded rapidly, now supporting over 1,600 bereaved families, including 316 widows and widowers and 37 cases of twins who have lost their twin siblings. The organization's annual budget has increased nearly fivefold since 2022 to meet the rising need.

Behind the statistics, Belzberg underscores, are households shattered by grief: parents overwhelmed by loss, children feeling neglected, and individuals struggling to maintain everyday routines. This deep disruption often remains invisible to the outside world.

Belzberg stresses that recovery is not solely Israel’s responsibility but a collective challenge for Jewish communities worldwide—from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to Johannesburg, Toronto, and New York. Rebuilding and healing will require sustained communal effort over generations, combining acts of remembrance with practical support for those who suffer.

OneFamily’s approach is informed by principles outlined in the book *Option B* by Sheryl Sandberg and psychologist Adam Grant, highlighting the importance of shared experience and mutual support in coping with trauma. The organization matches widows with widows, parents with parents, and orphans with orphans, fostering connections that help survivors find language for their grief and strength in solidarity.

Belzberg points to the ongoing cycle of care within the community, where those who once received support now provide it to others facing similar losses. This continuum of empathy and assistance represents a tangible response to the broken promise of "Never Again": the commitment to never be alone.

While the path forward will remain difficult, Belzberg expresses firm belief that through shared love and communal care, the Jewish people can endure and gradually heal from the wounds inflicted by terror. This work, he contends, is a collective responsibility extending far beyond slogans to concrete acts of support and remembrance.