The question has been asked: if G-d loves his creations so much, why did He create poor people, people with problems? The answer: an opportunity for them to grow and an opportunity for us for us. For us who are living comfortably to feel their pain and to give. Many of us sense that real joy is not to be found in a day at the mall or unlimited access to the refrigerator. That’s why the atmosphere at every Ezer Mizion department is permeated with sunshiny eagerness to do more. And more. That’s why there 30,000 people listed in the Ezer Mizion Volunteer Roster and increasing every year.
Simon, a holocaust survivor, had a dream. Since the beginning of the war, he and his extended family have been scattered throughout the country, far away from their homes. The comfort and security of living with family close by seemed to be a long-forgotten memory.
A trip to the Kose (Western Wall)l has been too difficult for this precious mobility-challenged, elderly Jew for the past eighteen years. Perhaps now, in this most difficult of times, perhaps now his fingers could touch those ancient stones and his heart could soar heavenward communicating with his Creator. He and his family whom he missed so much. Together once again. Only for a brief hour but so together in deep prayer.
True, Simon’s challenges were great and the logistics of gathering his family members were many. But the challenges of fellow Jews become the mission of Ezer Mizion. And his dream, that he thought to be only a dream, soon became a day with his extended family at the kosel, a tour of the tunnels, lunch in a restaurant – a day to be remembered with joy forever.
**********************************
Meet Rebecca, an 81 year old volunteer for Ezer Mizion. Rebecca was born in the Netherlands in 1943, and was delivered at six weeks old by her parents, to a woman named Yet de Jong, who was recognized as a Righteous Gentile after the war. Rebecca, together with de Jong, experienced whippings, a quick brush with an extermination camp, unthinkable horrors. Ultimately her life was saved and now she tries to pay back by helping at Ezer Mizion’s Golden Age Programs. Why? Because if others have problems, Rebecca, keeping with Ezer Mizion’s credo, believes it is her responsibility to help.
**********************************
It all started a little over five years ago, writes a volunteer, I got to go on a very special journey. A journey of the soul of the wind, a grueling journey. I myself was a patient in the oncology department. Every morning there would appear at my bedside a therapy cart with syringes and a lot of pain. But it would be followed by another cart – a wagon full of cakes, cookies, coffee and joy. The first was accompanied by fears and dread. The second by relief and happiness. And then a decision exploded inside me. As soon as I am no longer a taker, I will become a giver. And that’s how I found myself canvassing the hospital with a cart full of goodies. Offering emotional healing in a Styrofoam cup that permeated the heart and soul.
Our volunteers pamper women battling cancer with facials, manicures, makeup. Others bring to them the satisfaction that accompanies creativity of craft project. Still others provide musical entertainment. A warm ray of yellow sunshine for our heroic warriors in their private war against Cancer.
We, all 30,000 Ezer Mizion volunteers, have grown spiritually. Our hearts have deepened in ability to feel the pain of others. Our “I” has expanded to include them as part of ourselves. We yearn for the time when Hashem will wipe away our tears but until then Ezer Mizion will be there. What is their challenge…becomes our mission.
