Widow of Samaria Terror Victim Gives Birth on Tu B’Av Amid Crowdfunding Drive
Tal Winkelstein, widowed after her husband’s murder in a terror attack, gave birth to a son on Tu B’Av, coinciding with a crowdfunding effort to support her family. The emotional milestone reflects her resilience amid grief and financial challenges, as she raises her children alone.
On August 9, 2025, Tal Winkelstein, widow of Master Sergeant Elad Winkelstein, who was killed in a terror attack in Samaria, gave birth to a son just hours after the start of Shabbat Nachamu, coinciding with Tu B’Av, Israel’s holiday of love and renewal. The birth occurred during a crowdfunding campaign launched by Tal’s friends and family to secure the financial future of her, her two-year-old son Omer, and the newborn. Elad, a devoted family man, was fatally shot in front of his ten-year-old son while protecting a settlement, leaving Tal to raise their children alone amid profound grief and economic hardship.
In a heartfelt Facebook post moments after the birth, Tal expressed gratitude: “I thank You for the good and the bad and the good… With great kindness, on the eve of the holy Shabbat, the holiday of love, a precious little treasure joined our family. May it be good for us, very good, exceedingly good!” She has faced immense challenges since Elad’s death, saying days before the birth, “It’s missing every day. I function for the kids, so they can have the best life possible despite this crazy void. Losing a father is always terrible, but I think they lost the most perfect father I could have found.”
The family had recently moved to Kibbutz Ein HaNetziv, seeking a fresh start. “We found a peace we’d never experienced,” Tal recalled. “He fought to get a role in Beit She’an and got approval two weeks before the attack. We felt we’d found our home.” The terror attack shattered this dream, and Tal now faces financial strain, noting, “Even with two incomes, it’s hard to get ahead in our country… Now, as I’m about to give birth, I realize I’ll need to return to work immediately to survive.”
The crowdfunding initiative, “Continuing Life,” aims to support Tal’s family. She admitted, “It took me time to agree, but I realized I have no choice. Sometimes you need to stop, ask for help, and be on the receiving end.” Limited state support, including a monthly stipend, falls short, as Tal explained, “It helps with daily basics, but from two providers to one, you need to stay sane and raise kids who’ve been through trauma.” The campaign continues to gain traction, ensuring Tal can raise her children with dignity despite her loss.