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About the Organization

Birth is a pivotal moment—one that profoundly impacts the resilience of families and communities, and shapes the development of the next generation.

Mothers for Mothers is here to support, empower, and lead efforts on behalf of parents during the prenatal and early postnatal stages. We act from the deep understanding that the beginning of life is a crucial and powerful time—for babies, for parents, and for society.

Human potential is most accessible during the wide-open window of opportunity that begins in pregnancy, continues through birth, and extends into a baby’s first year. Investing in this foundational stage is not just wise—it is essential.

By preparing, guiding, and supporting parents from the very first moments, we can foster awareness, conscious choices, and reflective, nurturing parenting. Positive, empathetic interventions in these formative stages help us all grow into people who can love deeply, trust fully, and build strong, emotionally intelligent communities.

“If a community values its children it must cherish their parents”

-Bowlby-

Mothers for Mothers was founded in 2021 with a mission to improve early life experiences and provide optimal support for parents and infants across Israel.

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Our Vision

Mothers for Mothers advances the well‑being, development, and health of mothers, fathers, families, and infants—from pregnancy through the first years of life—by promoting patterns of secure attachment. As an umbrella organization, we forge partnerships and synergies with local authorities and government ministries to professionalize and expand perinatal support services, reduce disparities, and ensure equal opportunities for every family.

We will nurture the growth of “Mother to Mother” chapters nationwide, developing a comprehensive support network and a diverse array of culturally‑adapted services at both community and national levels.

What Matters to Us

Relationships First: We believe that strong bonds and supportive relationships are the cornerstone of a life well lived.

Early Potential: We are committed to highlighting the profound developmental processes that occur from conception to a child’s first birthday—processes that shape lifelong capacity for trust, healthy relationships, and emotional resilience.

Community Engagement: We strive to mobilize communities to build a supportive environment around every family choosing to bring new life into the world.

Imagine

A Guiding Hand for Every Parent: Every expectant couple receives the knowledge, tools, and emotional support they need—through mentorship that’s sensitive to language, culture, and individual preference, delivered with warmth and respect.

Tailored Postnatal Care: New mothers can choose, from a full menu of emotional and practical supports, the services that best help them recover, grow stronger, and gently step into motherhood.

A Shared Understanding: Society fully recognizes that pregnancy, birth, and early parenting are not automatic—they’re pivotal life events whose quality of experience profoundly influences both parent and child development.

How We Make It Happen

It takes a village to raise a child—and we’re here to awaken that village.

To bring new life into the world, families need guidance, emotional and practical support, medical oversight, mentorship, and above all—attention and appreciation.

Professional Oversight for “Mother to Mother” Chapters

We unite over two decades of chapter activity under one professional roof. We create a unified, high‑quality framework—while honoring each chapter’s local character. Our work includes curriculum development for new coordinators, on‑site mentorship for authorities launching a chapter, and tailored trainings and workshops.

Raising Awareness

We engage policymakers and municipal leaders to embed perinatal care into public agendas. We organize professional conferences, public seminars, and community workshops to share our core understandings about early life and attachment.

Building Postnatal Support Networks

Through mapping and assessing the needs of today’s Israeli families, we design culturally attuned emotional support systems in partnership with public bodies and NGOs—ensuring every new parent has access to the care they deserve.

Who We Are

Our Team

Smadar Brand


Program Director

Happily married and a proud mother of five. Holds a degree in education with a specialization in dance and creative arts, and is a certified doula and gynecosophist. For nearly 15 years, she has supported women through body–mind processes surrounding childbirth. Founded and coordinated the “Mother to Mother” chapter in the Binyamin Regional Council. Believes life is a miracle worth embracing with both hands, and has a deep love for new beginnings.

Ela Garmzeh

Training Coordinator

Holds a B.A. in psychology and cognitive sciences and an M.A. in social work. Brings extensive experience in life-changing personal guidance and nonprofit project management. She has worked with women in crisis, patients in mental health clinics, youth, parents, and marginalized populations. Married and a mother of two daughters.

Keren Levi-Kalmanovich

Operations & Partnerships Coordinator

Married to Dvir and mother of Uri, Amit, and Eilon. Holds a degree in economics and business management. After working in the high-tech industry, transitioned to special education as a rehabilitation teacher for toddlers with visual impairments at the Eliya Association. Volunteered for two and a half years as coordinator of the “Mother to Mother” chapter in Shoham. Passionate and deeply committed to the mission and societal impact of the organization.

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  • Our Partners
  • Municipal Authorities

The “Mother to Mother” Program

“Mother to Mother” is an evidence‑based support program for women during the perinatal period, born from a deep understanding of the essential needs of both mother and newborn. We recognize the uniqueness of this life stage and its long‑term impact, as well as the social and cultural gaps in postnatal support, guidance, detection, and care for complex challenges.

Originally developed in Boston by Professor Marsha Kates (Hebrew University, Department of Psychology), the program was introduced in Israel under her leadership. Similar chapters soon formed in other municipalities following the same model. Today, “Mother to Mother” is active in 44 chapters nationwide.

Over the years, we’ve refined a distinctive professional approach grounded in Attachment Theory—deepening the quality of relationships between our chapter coordinators and volunteers, and between volunteers and new mothers—to continually expand parents’ skill sets and nurture the growing parent–infant bond.

 30

Chapters

40

Coordinators

502

Volunteers

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