When Someone Still Remembers

The Keren Almanos birthday project that brings comfort

by KR

0 Comments | Thursday, January 01, 2026 under Keren Almanos

What does celebrating a birthday mean to someone navigating life after loss?

For B’ezri’s Keren Almanos, it’s an important question-one that is not taken lightly. Sending a birthday gift to every almana in our fund has become a cherished tradition, one that goes far beyond marking a date on the calendar. It’s about offering warmth, connection, empathy, and reassurance to women for whom even joyful milestones can carry some pain.

Tremendous thought and planning go into choosing the gift each year. Our staff works carefully to select something that feels meaningful, unique, and celebratory-something special an almana wouldn’t necessarily think (or be able) to buy for herself. So many of the almanos in our Keren are watching every shekel for their children, and the last person they are willing to treat, even on a special day, is themselves. This year’s selection, an elegant acrylic cake holder filled with colorful macarons, strikes just the right balance: practical enough to use again and again, yet festive enough to feel like a true celebration.

More Than a Gift-A Message of Being Remembered  

But even more than the gift itself, the message it carries is powerfully significant-that each woman is remembered, thought of,
and wished happiness on her birthday. For many women, that message lands in a deeply personal way. One almana shared, “My husband always made such a big deal about my birthday. He never forgot. This gift is such a nice gesture-my birthday has become harder for me now, but this softens the day a little. It reminds me that someone still cares.”

Another recent recipient wrote:
“I am searching for the right words that will really express the feelings in my heart… What a surprise, what thoughtfulness! Such a beautiful and useful gift-but most of all, one that truly warms the heart, really! ‘Hashem will bring joy to those who bring joy to others’-without a doubt.”
Messages like these remind us why our birthday initiative is so meaningful. For an almana, her birthday is often bittersweet, often accompanied by loneliness. A beautifully prepared gift arriving at just the right time can transform it, bringing comfort and a sense that she is not facing life alone.

From the elegant presentation of the gift to the celebratory treats inside- even to the carefully, thoughtfully worded card, the whole package is designed to feel dignified and joyful-a heartfelt present from people who genuinely care.

Support That Extends Beyond the Birthday  

The birthday gift program is just one element of the $10 million Keren Almanos initiative, which supports upwards of 850 widows across Israel. In addition to monthly stipends that provide stability and dignity in the home, the Keren Almanos assists with simcha expenses, emergency needs, and other necessities as they arise. Our coordinators are just a phone call away: always there, offering practical help whenever possible and, just as importantly, a listening ear, someone to talk to when support is needed.

Through thoughtful, important gestures like these, the Keren Almanos remains a steady source of support for widows, both in times of hardship and the everyday moments in between. "It is so meragesh (moving) that someone remembers I have a birthday. This touched me very, very deeply-
to the point of tears.”  
It's amazing what a box of macarons in a cake holder can do.

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