Due to the generous donations of our heroic donors, Vision for Israel has been able to donate a new life-saving medi-cycle to ZAKA, which will be stationed in the south of Israel, in the city of Eilat.

ZAKA (abbreviation for Zihuy Korbanot Ason, meaning Disaster Victim Identification) is a series of voluntary community emergency response teams in Israel.

The medi-cycle was dedicated on Sunday in a small ceremony that was held at the Millennium Centre, in the presence of ZAKA's chairman, Barry and Batya, ZAKA's CEO, staff members, and volunteers.

Barry said, "This is a moving moment for me. I made Aliyah to Israel as a lone soldier about 30 years ago, and since then I have been working a lot to help lone soldiers and the weaker populations. Saving lives is in my blood. I thank the ZAKA volunteers with all my heart for working year-round to save lives... I bless this activity and holy work. We will continue to cooperate between our organisations in saving lives, in order to improve life for humanity and for the people of Israel".

ZAKA CEO, Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, gave Barry and Batya a certificate of appreciation and said, "I am anticipating and praying that the medi-cycle will only be called for births and happy occasions. There is no doubt that this donation will help the residents of Eilat immensely."

The medi-cycle is equipped with the best medical equipment and will provide first-aid, and quick response in the city of Eilat and the surroundings.

Are you willing to bless Israel, make a difference in the lives of people, and partner with God's plan for restoration of the land of Israel?

 A new medi-cycle was donated and dedicated to ZAKA. The medi-cycle is equipped with the best medical equipment and will provide first-aid, and quick response.

A New Medi-Cycle for ZAKA | Blog | Vision for Israel

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. 

Recently I was reminded of the words of my dear mother, may her memory be blessed, who said two days before her passing, "I am not ready to be a burden on anyone, all my life I have taken care of my family, my husband, and children, and if a situation arises where I become a burden and someone has to take care of me, I choose not to be in this place and in this situation."

Think about a time in your life when you needed help. Maybe it was a physical ailment or a difficult situation at home or work. Whatever it was, I'm sure you remember how it felt to be in that place of need.

For me, it was a recent experience with severe pain in my knee and shoulder. I found myself unable to do the things I had always taken for granted — packing and moving, driving, and even lifting a plastic bag. In an instant, I became fully dependent on another person, and it was not a pleasant feeling.

But as I thought about my situation, my heart went out to all those who receive assistance and support from anyone who can help them. I thought of each of them as if they were me, and I imagined the difficulty and shame they must feel in asking for help.

(Batya’s mother, Sarah, with the first great grandchild)

It's important to remember that the wheel of life turns, and even if we have everything we need to live a good and happy life, even if today we are supporting others, the situation can change and we could become weak in certain ways and need help ourselves. This is humility, that in every situation we have to be in a place of patience, and compassion, and must be attentive to someone else's needs.

In our generation, there is a constant preoccupation with ourselves. All social networks are full of the personal stories of so many people. Taking care of ourselves is not the only goal of our lives. Our goal is to serve and train those who need help. The constant search to find those whose cry is not heard. Those whom we don't know their difficulties because they are ashamed to ask for help. This is the most difficult task, to find the quiet and humble.

We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. – Romans 15:1

It is written that Job, who was supposed to be immersed in his great trouble, went to seek and find the most difficult cases, those who needed help. Not all of us can search and find, but every one of us can choose to support the weak and impoverished. When you become a partner with Vision for Israel and support us on a monthly basis, you enable us to be the eyes and the outstretched hand to give assistance to the weak among us, out of humility and modesty.

I was a father to the poor, and I searched out the case that I did not know.

Read this inspirational letter from Batya about the humility of needing help and the importance of compassion for those in need.

A Lesson in Humility: Understanding the Need for Help | Blog | Vision for Israel

A Lesson in Humility: Understanding the Need for Help

To give aid is to extend a hand; to give wisely is to extend a roadmap. 

Dear friend,

Lately, I've been contemplating the various forms of poverty that exist in the world. Some are poor only on holidays, some are poor once a week, some are poor all the time, but for all, being poor is beyond their control.

This led me to think: How do we discern genuine need from a lack of accountability? At what point does helping become enabling? These questions are critical in understanding how best to help those around us in need.

For me, getting too involved with some of our recipients who receive food and financial aid served as a wake-up call. It's easy to fall into a place of wanting to give them everything, but that could potentially create an unhealthy dependency.

It's crucial to remember that our own capacities are limited. Even if we are prosperous and generous today, we might find ourselves in need of help tomorrow. This balance between self-reliance and compassion, between offering aid and fostering independence, is a delicate one to maintain.

In this era, where self-absorption is often championed through social media platforms, we must be careful not to lose sight of our responsibility to others. Our ultimate aim shouldn't be solely self-improvement but also the empowerment of those who lack the voice or means to ask for help. Finding these silent sufferers is our most challenging but rewarding duty.

For we who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 

It is written that King Solomon, even in his wisdom and affluence, sought to understand the suffering of the least among his subjects. We may not all have the resources or wisdom of Solomon, but each of us can choose to extend a hand—or better yet, a roadmap—to those in need. By supporting Vision for Israel on a monthly basis, you empower us to be both the eyes and the hands that uplift the less fortunate, with both grace and discernment.

Shalom and blessings, 

Batya

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. 

Explore Batya's thoughtful letter on the complexities of giving aid, the importance of discernment, and the balance of compassion and self-reliance.

Navigating Compassion: Discerning When and How to Help | Blog | Vision for Israel

Navigating Compassion: Discerning When and How to Help

Over the last few months, we have seen the Lord provide for His people in very personal ways. It is beautiful to see the people so touched by God’s love through a practical need that we were able to meet. Thank you for the incredible impact you are making on the people here in the Land of Israel. Now, let’s take a closer look at how God provided through you and VFI to impact these precious people.  

While the children of Israel were on summer holiday, the expenses for families were increasing significantly. For distressed families, this is a particularly difficult time. Our team set out to distribute aid to hundreds of families around the country. Each family received a magnetic gift card, hygiene products, food, and a basket of fresh vegetables. The recipients were very happy and expressed their gratitude and appreciation to VFI.

One of the recipients, a father of a family who immigrated from the former USSR, shared that his family was in need of hygiene products. They had to give them up because of their severe economic hardship. When he saw that the donation included hygiene items, he exclaimed: "I'm shocked! Wow, this is unbelievable! Everything is from God! Thank you very much!" We were very touched by his story and how God provided exactly what he and his family needed.

Youth Volunteering at the Millennium Center to Help Prepare for the Annual Pack-to-School Project

The school year began in September and we are happy to know that the sweet children from low-income families arrived at school with high-quality school bags, just like all the other children. During July and August, the VFI team distributed school bags through our Pack to School project to about 1,000 children from low-income families throughout Israel, including Rishon Lezion, Jerusalem, Sderot, Ashdod, Petach Tikva, Lod, Rosh Ha'Ayin, Tel Aviv, Modi'in, and Netivot. Some of these children are at risk, refugee children, children with special needs, or new immigrants. 

At some of the distribution points, we held fun activities for the children. On the first day of school, our hearts were filled with comfort as we remembered their sweet smiles and the words of thanks we received from these precious children. Rise and succeed, dear children!

Treats and Backpacks for Children at Risk at the Millennium Center

As part of our collaboration with the Yad b'Yad organization, which cares for children at risk, Vision for Israel invited dozens of children at risk in preschool through 2nd grade for a day of pampering. The children arrived in transportation sponsored by VFI from all over the country to the Millennium Center. Upon their arrival, the children received a light breakfast. The day's activities included an interactive performance by the Sippur Theater, pizza for lunch, and a gift of a backpack with stationery or a kindergarten bag. These dear children, who come from distressed families, impacted us with their smiles, words of thanks, and the light in their eyes.

Schoolbags for Asylum Seekers' Children in Tel Aviv

The VFI staff distributed 69 school bags to first graders who are asylum-seekers children in Tel Aviv. These families are treated by the municipal welfare unit Mesila, which provides them with assistance and psycho-social treatment. We met families with health problems, parents in long-term hospitalization, children with special needs, single-parent families, and more. Many live in abject poverty, without entitlement to allowances in extreme situations, with almost no rights or social services. 

We received a very moving thank you letter from Mesila, saying: "I would like to point out the kindness, professionalism, and great kindness on the part of the Vision Israel team [...] They welcomed the parents and children who came to receive the school bags and did not give them even a single moment a sense of need [ ...] A huge thank you for helping many of the community's children start the year with a new backpack and with a smile."

Gift Cards to Families in Need for the Holidays

With the high holidays upon us, there is an atmosphere of leaving our troubles behind and looking ahead with hope towards the new year. Every year, Vision for Israel takes care of families who cannot put a holiday meal on the table or celebrate the holidays with dignity.

The VFI team arrived in various cities throughout Israel to distribute gift cards to about 1,500 families and individuals to help them buy groceries for the holiday meals, clothes, and anything else they might need. Among the aid recipients were the elderly, minors, parents of children with disabilities, single-parent families, new immigrants, lone soldiers, and more. Everyone expressed gratitude for the essential gift to help them celebrate the holiday comfortably, with hope and a smile.

We are so grateful to our partners, donors, and friends who make all of the above possible. There are truly no words to express the great impact you can have on these communities and families. If you have not already, you can take part in all these exciting life-changing experiences by pledging monthly donations to Vision for Israel. Our work is never-ending, and every donation helps us to spread God’s love and word across Israel.

Over the last few months, we have enjoyed partnering with God and being His hands and feet here in Israel as He provided for His people and their needs!

October Impact Report 2023 | Blog | Vision for Israel

Stories

Medical & Disaster Relief

A New Medi-Cycle for ZAKA

Wednesday, 16 December 2020

Are you willing to bless Israel, make a difference in the lives of people, and partner with God's plan for restoration of the land of Israel?

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A Lesson in Humility: Understanding the Need for Help

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