About “Mother to Mother”
“Mother to Mother” is an evidence‑based support program for women in the perinatal period. It was born from a deep recognition of the unique needs of both mother and newborn during this pivotal time, as well as an awareness of the cultural and social gaps in postnatal support, guidance, identification, and intervention.
Originally developed in Boston by Professor Marsha Kates (Department of Psychology, Hebrew University), the program was introduced in Israel under her leadership. Concurrently, similar chapters sprang up in other municipalities under the same model.
From its community roots at Oranim College—coordinated by Dafna Neumann until 2014—the program has grown to over 40 active chapters nationwide. Over the years, “Mother to Mother” has evolved a distinctive professional approach grounded in Attachment Theory. We continually refine the quality of the relationships between our coordinators and volunteers, and between volunteers and the families they serve, in order to expand parents’ skill‑sets and nurture the emerging bond with their baby.
A Word from Founder Professor Marsha Kates
“Human relationships are the foundation of our very essence in the world. They give life its meaning, contribute to our self‑identity and confidence, and propel us toward creativity and action. These relationships span family ties, friendships, and our wider community.
Certain life stages heighten the importance of these connections—one profound example being the first year after childbirth. During this time, a mother’s need for support, understanding, containment, and assistance is at its greatest, yet her capacity to nurture these connections is often limited by exhaustion and overwhelming demands. Without compassionate, non‑judgmental support, many mothers find themselves isolated, insecure, and depleted.
It was this need that inspired me to create the “Mother to Mother” project. In late 1999, while on sabbatical in Boston, I volunteered in a community project where experienced mothers mentored new mothers. I was fortunate to bring the concept back to Jerusalem—adapting it to Israeli culture—with the help of my former student, developmental psychologist Miriam Shriky. With funding from the Harris Foundation and the resources of Hebrew University, we developed and refined the program that continues to flourish today.”
Chapters
Neharia
be’er yaakev
Jerusalem – Special Needs Branch
Jerusalem – University Branch Veteran
Naomi Tesler, Alisa Silberman and Jenny Fruchter
Moddin maccabim Reut
Shlomit Mor and Zohar Goldman
Rishon Lezion
Liat Shavit and Shir Goldenberg
Tel Aviv-Yafo, Central-Northern
Gili Kleinman-Hod and Bruria Miron
Tel Aviv-Yafo, South
Michal Bentov, Noam Laufer, Yael Shari and Chan Goldman
laufer_no@mail.tel-aviv.gov.il
tzur hadasa
How to Launch a Chapter
Meet with municipal representatives to introduce the program.
Identify a local coordinator based on the association’s recommendation.
Establish a basic budget covering coordinator salary and program expenses.
Coordinator Training
Provide specialized training and a series of concentrated workshops.
Pair the new coordinator with an experienced chapter leader for hands‑on guidance.
Add the coordinator and chapter details to our national directory of “Mother to Mother” services.
Coordinator Training Course
As part of our professional vision, we have partnered with the Kibbutzim College Certificate Program to develop a year-long training course for “Mother to Mother” coordinators.
Throughout the course, participants acquire tools to shape their professional identity, deepen their understanding of our unique language and methodology, and engage in both theoretical learning and practical experience. The goal is to build and strengthen active, professional “Mother to Mother” branches across the country.
Our coordinators are change-makers. They create a new reality for parents in the delicate postpartum period—building connections, leading support networks for mothers and infants, and fostering meaningful community resilience that impacts families during the critical early stages of life. They connect new mothers to circles of belonging and learning, recruit and guide volunteer mothers who join the giving circle, and practice daily acts of connection, empathy, and attentive listening.
Their work also includes collaboration with key community partners—social services, family health clinics, pediatricians, early childhood professionals, and municipal psycho-social teams—ensuring that every mother receives the support she needs.
“The mother-child relationship is the foundation of all other human relationships.”
—Adrienne Rich, Of Woman Born
Program Goals
Fostering a Strong Professional Identity and Sense of Competence
Strengthening participants’ sense of self-efficacy and motivation in leading a municipal-community-based program.
Building a Community of Practice and Belonging
Creating a supportive peer network that allows for shared learning, professional reflection, emotional processing, mutual support, and a sense of belonging among coordinators.
Providing Practical Tools and Knowledge
Equipping coordinators with knowledge and tools from the fields of therapy, counseling, and group facilitation—focusing on child development, early parenthood, mother-infant bonding and communication during the first year of life, postpartum support, and volunteer management.
Developing Managerial and Leadership Skills
Enhancing abilities to lead a local community-based program, engage stakeholders, recruit resources, manage budgets, promote the program, and build partnerships that support mothers after childbirth.
Leading Volunteer Engagement Processes
Training coordinators to successfully recruit, guide, support, and retain volunteer mothers.