A network of support.
A community of care.
Samchainu is there for you.
Samchainu is a pillar of strength and support for Orthodox Jewish widows in the United States and Canada.
At Samchainu,
we’re one family.
Being a widow is a challenging experience, and we are here for you, always. We will listen when you need to talk, cheer when you need to celebrate, and cry when you need to mourn. At Samchainu, we’re a community of strong women who have all experienced the devastating loss of a spouse.
We may have come on different ships, but we’re all in the same boat now.
We’ve lost husbands and partners whom we loved deeply—and came out on the other side more vital than ever before. We believe in the power of community—and we’ve created a space where everyone belongs.
Our programs are designed to
help you heal.
Meet new people.
Forge connections.
Regain strength.
Nurture yourself.
Samchainu understands.
Two grieving women, Shani (Stefansky) Waldman and Breindy Halberstam, meet in the aftermath of the loss of their husbands,
and Samchainu is born.
Shani (Stefansky) Waldman
Shani was 37 years old when she lost her husband. She was left with six young daughters, including a baby. Despite the isolation and loneliness, she was determined to create a life of joy for her family. Together with Breindy Halberstam, Shani co-founded Samchainu to support and nurture Orthodox widows. Today, Shani remains passionate about creating a world for almanos where they can learn to live and feel happy again, and to truly experience joy in the new life they find themselves in. Shani devotes hours of her time to counseling and encouraging almanos of any age and stage. Feel free to reach out and get in touch!
Breindy Halberstam
When Breindy lost her husband at fifty years old, she was left with a gaping void- and a crammed daily schedule. Being a single parent for her three young sons at home, for her six relatively young married couples, and keeping up her demanding schedule as an accounting professor in Touro College and as a High School English teacher didn’t seem to leave her with much time. But then, co-founding Samchainu together with Shani Stefansky (now Waldman) became a central part of her life, and with every retreat she runs, she finds more time and energy to run yet another. It is Breindy’s greatest joy to bring her fellow widows true understanding and genuine companionship, along with a generous dose of fun!
Founded in 2007, Samchainu continues to embrace widows, hold their hands, and provide a shoulder, with all-loving, non-judgemental warmth and joy. It’s our mission that no almanah grieves alone.
With Samchainu, you will experience
- belonging and connection
- safety and stability
- resources and support
Samchainu at a Glance
Samchainu
at a Glance
Taking care of yourself makes you stronger for everyone in your life … including you.
Welcome to our joy-infused community:
1160 Birthday Flowers | 1300 Yom Tov Children Shoe & Clothing Vouchers | 2000 Weekly chizuk phone calls
285 Chassanim and Kallos assisted with wedding expenses through the Kol Reana Simcha Fund
Enjoy periodic in-person events featuring lavish refreshments, inspiring speeches and the chance to bond with your Samchainu friends; look forward to weekly chizuk phone calls; and join Whatsapp chats and zoom events to liven those late-night hours.
Join women from all strokes of life to bask in the glow of togetherness. Allow yourself to be pampered with the beautiful decor, delectable food, and passionate lectures from keynote speakers. Bond with others and connect to yourself through an experience that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired.
You’re not alone. We’re here to celebrate you with birthday flowers, Yom Tov gifts and those other little things that remind you that you’re cared for and remembered.
There’s someone looking out for you with parties, events, and Yom Tov gift cards for your family.
Dedicated volunteers are there to shovel the snow, build your sukkah, kasher your kitchen and more. Availability varies by locale.
Mazel Tov! Marrying off a child is a precious milestone- but doing it alone is hard. The Kol Reana Simcha Fund alleviates the burden by providing financial assistance with wedding expenses.
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Peer Support
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The Shabbos Program
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Seasonal Gifts
-
Simchas Yom Tov
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Year-round Home Maintenance
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The Kol Reana Simcha Fund
Enjoy periodic in-person events featuring lavish refreshments, inspiring speeches and the chance to bond with your Samchainu friends; look forward to weekly chizuk phone calls; and join Whatsapp chats and zoom events to liven those late-night hours.
Join women from all strokes of life to bask in the glow of togetherness. Allow yourself to be pampered with the beautiful decor, delectable food, and passionate lectures from keynote speakers. Bond with others and connect to yourself through an experience that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired.
You’re not alone. We’re here to celebrate you with birthday flowers, Yom Tov gifts and those other little things that remind you that you’re cared for and remembered.
There’s someone looking out for you with parties, events, and Yom Tov gift cards for your family.
Dedicated volunteers are there to shovel the snow, build your sukkah, kasher your kitchen and more. Availability varies by locale.
Mazel Tov! Marrying off a child is a precious milestone- but doing it alone is hard. The Kol Reana Simcha Fund alleviates the burden by providing financial assistance with wedding expenses.
-
Peer Support
-
The Shabbos Program
-
Seasonal Gifts
-
Simchas Yom Tov
-
Year-round Home Maintenance
-
The Kol Reana Simcha Fund
Enjoy periodic in-person events featuring lavish refreshments, inspiring speeches and the chance to bond with your Samchainu friends; look forward to weekly chizuk phone calls; and join Whatsapp chats and zoom events to liven those late-night hours.
Join women from all strokes of life to bask in the glow of togetherness. Allow yourself to be pampered with the beautiful decor, delectable food, and passionate lectures from keynote speakers. Bond with others and connect to yourself through an experience that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired.
You’re not alone. We’re here to celebrate you with birthday flowers, Yom Tov gifts and those other little things that remind you that you’re cared for and remembered.
There’s someone looking out for you with parties, events, and Yom Tov gift cards for your family.
Dedicated volunteers are there to shovel the snow, build your sukkah, kasher your kitchen and more. Availability varies by locale.
Mazel Tov! Marrying off a child is a precious milestone- but doing it alone is hard. The Kol Reana Simcha Fund alleviates the burden by providing financial assistance with wedding expenses.
What our participants are saying
Thank you for…
…making me feel like I belong SOMEWHERE!
…your generous yom tov help for our family.
…the feeling you give us that we are not alone.
…thinking of my family and me throughout the year.
…TRULY making a difference in our lives!
…making me feel like I belong SOMEWHERE!
…your generous yom tov help for our family.
…the feeling you give us that we are not alone.
…thinking of my family and me throughout the year.
…TRULY making a difference in our lives!
…always being there for us throughout the year.
Support and Endorsements
“The heroines of Samchainu are a tremendous chizuk to me personally. Whenever I attend the Shabbos, I leave saying what a zechus I have being a part of this wonderful organization.”
Rabbi Yaakov Bender
Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Darchei Torah, Far Rockaway NY
“Samchainu is not just an organization. It’s a loving, caring, and supportive family in every sense of the word. Its understanding ears and open heart send a reverberating message to all its ladies – that we’re always there for each other.”
Rabbi Yosef Eisen
Kashrus Administrator - Vaad HaKashrus of the 5 Towns
Rav - Khal Bnei Torah, Brooklyn NY
“Samchainu is a true lifeline to every member of this organization! The personal care, love, attention and heart given is simply indescribable. It is a zechus to be a small part of this special mosad!”
Rabbi Nosson Muller
Menahel, Yeshivas Tiferes Tzvi, Chicago IL
“Samchainu is a true lifeline to every member of this organization! The personal care, love, attention and heart given is simply indescribable. It is a zechus to be a small part of this special mosad!”
Rabbi Nosson Muller
Menahel, Yeshivas Tiferes Tzvi, Chicago IL
“Samchainu is one of the most caring organizations in Klal Yisroel. With Chizuk phone calls, trips, events and inspirational Shabbatons, their passionate thoughtfulness is remarkable. I am proud to be affiliated with Samchainu and I am honored to be considered a friend.”
Rabbi Paysach Krohn
Renowned Mohel, Lecturer and Author
“Samchainu is one of the most caring organizations in Klal Yisroel. With Chizuk phone calls, trips, events and inspirational Shabbatons, their passionate thoughtfulness is remarkable. I am proud to be affiliated with Samchainu and I am honored to be considered a friend.”
Rabbi Paysach Krohn
Renowned Mohel, Lecturer and Author
“Keep doing Mitzvos. You’re good at it!”
Rabbi Henoch Plotnik R”M
Yeshivas Meohr HaTorah, Chicago IL
“I have no words to describe the chizuk that Samchainu gives its participants. I know people who wait for their Shabbos all year and avail themselves of rich social opportunities with others who understand them, one on one personal consultations, and relaxing with self care activities. I am so moved by the strides you have made to improve the lives of these special women.”
ESTHER GENDELMAN MS, LPC, ASC
Licensed psychotherapist Toms River, NJ
“We have both personally witnessed the incredible value of Samchainu to thousands of women who have lost their husbands. Everyone should support their precious mission. The Torah tells us many times that Hashem wants us all to care for the widows among us. What an opportunity!”
Rabbi Dovid Greenblatt
Community Leader and Director of the Davis Memorial Fund
“Samchainu is one of the most important organizations out there. Lifting the spirits of Almanos and giving them support is holy work, which Samchainu does with great wisdom and sensitivity. My husband and I feel privileged to take a small part in their activities.”
Mrs. Debbie Greenblatt
Inspirational Lecturer and Counselor
Meet the Rabbinic Advisory Board
Rabbi Yaakov Bender shlit”a
Called “the Yedid Nefesh for the community,” Rabbi Bender is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah of Far Rockaway. With 2600 students from nursery school to kollel, Rabbi Bender has created a system that grows students spiritually and intellectually in a nurturing environment with maximum attention to their needs. One of his main focuses is to help mothers develop and grow as women while they raise their children.
He lost his father at age fifteen and has a special place in his heart for widows and orphans.
Rabbi Bender’s “Chinuch Roundtable” workshop at Samchainu’s annual Shabbos infuses our young mothers with confidence and strength throughout the year. We can all hear his voice resonating, “Give me the number of the Rebbe!”
Rabbi Yosef Eisen shlit”a
Rabbi Yosef Eisen is the Mara D’asra of Kollel B’nei Torah in Flatbush and the Kashrus Administrator of the Va’ad Hakashrus of the Five Towns. He is known for his inspiring words, guidance, and practical Halacha workshop.
As a young child, Rabbi Eisen lost his father. Since then, he has been an invaluable resource to many people in the community—both as an individual counselor and a teacher who brings his wisdom to bear on practical matters.
Rabbi Eisen’s availability to our members has been an invaluable resource.
Rabbi Nosson Muller shlit”a
Rabbi Muller serves as the Menahel of Yeshiva Tiferes Tzvi in Chicago. He is a tireless advocate for hundreds of children and their families, reaching out to school administrations and Rabbonim and working as a liaison to ensure each child and teen feels supported.
Rabbi Muller’s lectures “The Yasom in the Classroom” delivered at Torah Umesorah locations in Baltimore, Chicago, Flatbush, Lakewood, Miami, and Toronto have been eye-opening to many educators. This is one of many ways Rabbi Muller ensures that the children are cared for.
Rabbi Muller has been an invaluable mentor for our members. His innumerable hours of dedication to every Samchainu mother have earned him the title, “The Samchainu Rebbe!”
Rabbi Yaakov Bender shlit”a
Called “the Yedid Nefesh for the community,” Rabbi Bender is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah of Far Rockaway. With 2600 students from nursery school to kollel, Rabbi Bender has created a system that grows students spiritually and intellectually in a nurturing environment with maximum attention to their needs. One of his main focuses is to help mothers develop and grow as women while they raise their children.
He lost his father at age fifteen and has a special place in his heart for widows and orphans.
Rabbi Bender’s “Chinuch Roundtable” workshop at Samchainu’s annual Shabbos infuses our young mothers with confidence and strength throughout the year. We can all hear his voice resonating, “Give me the number of the Rebbe!”
Rabbi Yosef Eisen shlit”a
Rabbi Yosef Eisen is the Mara D’asra of Kollel B’nei Torah in Flatbush and the Kashrus Administrator of the Va’ad Hakashrus of the Five Towns. He is known for his inspiring words, guidance, and practical Halacha workshop.
As a young child, Rabbi Eisen lost his father. Since then, he has been an invaluable resource to many people in the community—both as an individual counselor and a teacher who brings his wisdom to bear on practical matters.
Rabbi Eisen’s availability to our members has been an invaluable resource.
Rabbi Nosson Muller shlit”a
Rabbi Muller serves as the Menahel of Yeshiva Tiferes Tzvi in Chicago. He is a tireless advocate for hundreds of children and their families, reaching out to school administrations and Rabbonim and working as a liaison to ensure each child and teen feels supported.
Rabbi Muller’s lectures “The Yasom in the Classroom” delivered at Torah Umesorah locations in Baltimore, Chicago, Flatbush, Lakewood, Miami, and Toronto have been eye-opening to many educators. This is one of many ways Rabbi Muller ensures that the children are cared for.
Rabbi Muller has been an invaluable mentor for our members. His innumerable hours of dedication to every Samchainu mother have earned him the title, “The Samchainu Rebbe!”