So very, very alone in a world gone insane. A bewildered victim of senseless brutality. Shira was a mommy. At least she tried to be a mommy. Twelve years ago, she had suffered a stroke while giving birth to twins which left her paralyzed, imprisoned in her wheelchair. The tiny family was dependent on two aides for their care and Shira’s father, their pillar of strength. The crazed animals took even this away from Shira. No longer is her father there to support her, no longer does she have children to give her life meaning. Her father, head of the local MDA, was murdered together with her son and one aide. Her daughter is classified as ‘missing’. Her home burned, totally destroyed. And Shira? Shira is on her way, transported by Ezer Mizion, to the house of mourning for her father, still unaware of the fate of her children. Ezer Mizion will be there at her side when she is told, to hold her hand as she begins to grasp the new reality…alone, alone, alone.
War in Israel: Ezer Mizion ambulance driver bringing Shira to house of mourning
Our Ezer Mizion staff and volunteers seem to be everywhere. Maor Cohen, AKA the LegoMan, is now in the reserves but that doesn’t stop him from bringing joy to our children fighting their own battle in the oncology ward. In between sirens, this caring human being will suddenly appear at Ezer Mizion and zero in on those that need him the most. Neither has Elad, our PuzzleMan left us in the lurch. Also in the reserves, he enlisted his father and his daughter to take his place.
War in Israel: cancer patients are not forgotten
One of the commodities in such short supply during these days of horror is smiles. In relative safety, away from the nightmare that they once called home, the evacuees are grappling with the trauma of having been wrenched from everything familiar. Always sensitive to the needs, both emotional and practical, of those undergoing life’s crises, Ezer Mizion has hosted a Family Art Workshop. It’s purpose? Just plain fun! The gratitude of the 150 participants could not be described.
War in Israel: Evacuees enjoy a day of fun
Routine needs do not stop, even as the country has morphed into a giant valley of tears. Moshe was certain the answer would be ‘no’ but he made the call anyways. What choice did he have? Moshe, an oncology patient being treated in Soroka Hospital in Beer Sheva, officially lives in Sderot. He was released from Soroka and a sheltered living facility in Tel Aviv was ready to take him in. The only problem was getting there. And so he dialed the number. Moshe had underestimated Ezer Mizion who is doing its best to keep up with routine needs, routine needs that, in the face of sirens and terror, have become anything but routine. A kind, patient voice answered the phone. “Of course. What day would you like to travel?”
War jn Israel: a wounded victim puts on t’fillin
Some assignments are full of joy, even amidst the horror and anguish. Recently Ezer Mizion volunteers were called to the bedside of one of the wounded, his condition now somewhat improved. His request? Can you help me lay t’fillin for the first time since the attack?
