A Recipient's Story
by Janet Zimmerman
The M’Yad L’Yad program is all about our recipients. Our recipient list includes single parents, adult couples, young families, senior adults, and every other family configuration. Our recipients live across Long Island, from the Hamptons to the Rockaways, with a few located in New York City as well. While it is important that we maintain the anonymity of our recipients, it is also important that we know their stories and recognize that they are not simply charity cases, but human beings with interests, with hopes and with needs. The following article features Dafna, Alon, and their family.
Dafna and Alon are a couple in their 30’s who emigrated from Israel. They have five children, Amit, 16, Adina, 14, Dov, 12, Eliana, 9, and Chaya, 2. Alon had a good job in construction but lost it due to the recession. This family lived in a basement apartment which was destroyed in a fire. They lost almost all of their belongings.
When I first spoke to Dafna she was embarrassed because her English wasn’t perfect. After speaking many times, she now feels more comfortable communicating with me, and has expressed thanks for our showing care and concern for her family. She is so grateful to her sponsor, a religious school, whose families have been so generous, sending clothing, food and games for the children.
Dafna and Alon’s fifth child, Chaya, was born prematurely and had many medical issues. She had three operations while still a tiny baby. Her parents named her Chaya (Life), thanking God for enabling her to survive. Chaya and her siblings are having a rough time of it, living in cramped quarters, knowing that their father is looking for a job and that their mother has her hands full caring for everyone in the family. Dov and Eliana are having a difficult time in school, trying to improve their English skills. Thanks to the Murray Safran Emergency Fund, M’Yad L’Yad purchased a Hebrew/English electronic translator for the children so that they could better cope with their school work.
Dafna has expressed to me her sincere thanks to M’Yad L’Yad for helping her family. When they receive a package from their sponsor, the children get very excited to see what will be in the boxes. Not only do they benefit materially, but also emotionally. They know that a Jewish school (their sponsor) and the people in M’Yad L’Yad care about them. In their time of need they are not alone.
 |
 |
M'Yad L'Yad
Where 100% of what you give goes straight to a person who needs it.
Contact Form
Please fill out the form below to make sure your information is received and routed to best person to answer your questions.