Therapeutic animal corner
Psifas School
A therapeutic petting corner built and donated to a special-education school, with Ofek's picture on the wall.
In memory of Ofek Refael Taub z"l
2010–2022
"What we did for ourselves alone – dies with us.
What we did for others and for the world – lives forever."
Who Ofek was
Ofek was severely injured at the age of eight months, as a result of medical negligence. Over the twelve years of his life he became a compass – of giving, and of the struggle for social and medical justice.
What remains of him
In his name, his parents, Ruth and Amiad Taub, and his brothers and sisters founded the Ofek LaChaim association. The association works to improve healthcare systems, to prevent medical disasters, to accompany families who have been through a medical crisis, and to support those wounded in body and mind in the Iron Swords war.
Projects in his memory
Farming area and greenhouse
Mashuot Neria School
A greenhouse and therapeutic farming area built and donated to the school, used by the pupils throughout the year.
Ofek's corner
Tzlilim School
A rest corner built at a special-education school as part of the "Seeing the Horizon" campaign.
Rest corners for soldiers
IDF bases
Rest corners and a prayer and tefillin station set up on IDF bases, alongside food and equipment distribution.
Special-education scholarship fund
A dedicated fund for special-education students – nurturing the educators of the future, as a memorial to his path.
Chumashim and siddurim gemach
Community
Lending and distribution of holy books, chumashim and siddurim, run by Ofek's grandfather, Avi Taub. For details and orders: 050-7337766.
Good Deeds Day in memory of Ofek
Every December, thousands of people across Israel – pupils, medical teams, families and volunteers – go out to help others: baking and distributing food to families and soldiers, Ofek cards and blue balloons.
Why Shivha exists
Anyone who has sat shiva knows: in the first hours after a loss, dozens of decisions and hundreds of calls land on the family. The portal was built to take the details off their hands – a notice, a shiva page, meal coordination, chapters of psalms. All free, with no ads and no sign-up.
The portal is a direct continuation of Ofek's path: that no family in Israel should be alone in the days of mourning, and that every family should have order, quiet and practical tools.
Continuing his path
Every service on Shivha is free, for every family. If you wish, you can donate to Ofek LaChaim – supporting the wounded and their families, and memorial projects like the ones on this page.
- The association holds a certificate under section 46 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance, valid until 31 December 2028 – donations qualify for an Israeli tax credit
- The association holds a proper-management certificate from the Israeli Registrar of Associations for 2026
- Donations are made on the secure JGive site, and the receipt is sent directly from there. Receipts are Israeli tax receipts (section 46); they may not qualify for tax relief in other countries
- A donation is not a condition for any service on the portal
- Ofek LaChaim in memory of Ofek Taub z"l · registered nonprofit 580582716
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