In the wake of the October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel, countless individuals around the world searched for ways to respond. For Marlene Kolangi, a New York-based fashion designer and entrepreneur, the answer was clear: dedicate her life to helping the children left behind.

Kolangi, founder of the successful bridal and modest fashion brand Kaituz in Queens, is widely known in the modest fashion and wig communities for her custom designs that empower women to feel beautiful and confident. But after October 7, her professional focus took a dramatic turn.

Deeply shaken by the terrorist attacks and the devastating toll on Israeli families, Kolangi founded Israel Orphans of 10/7, an organization devoted exclusively to supporting children who lost one or both parents in the massacre and subsequent war.

“I couldn’t just sit back,” she explained. “These children lost everything in a single day. They need more than sympathy — they need stability, support, and a future.”

Her organization provides both immediate and long-term assistance, including:

Emergency financial aid for basic needs

Long-term savings accounts for each orphan

Funding for life milestones such as bar and bat mitzvahs, education, and weddings

Emotional care services, including play therapy and personalized support

Kolangi emphasized that her work goes beyond writing checks. She personally travels to Israel, meeting families face-to-face, listening to their stories, and delivering assistance directly — whether through funds, gift cards, clothing, or ongoing personal relationships.

“The most important thing is dignity,” she said. “These children should not feel forgotten. They should feel embraced by the entire Jewish people.”