YAD SARAH SPRING 2018

CELEBRATING ’S TH 70CARING FOR ITS BUILDERS

facebook.com/yadsarahfriends executive director’s

FROM ADELE GOLDBERG YAD SARAH letter INSIDESPRING 2018 Dear Friends, country, too many have been left behind. They need outside support. This year, Israel’s 70th birthday, we reflect on Supporting the Family Caregivers how to show solidarity with the Jewish state in a Whether they need physical rehabilitation, legal Yad Sarah’s groups are a lifeline for family members caring meaningful way. services, dental treatment, medical equipment or 04for elderly relatives with serious illnesses. friendly visitors to brighten their days, Yad Sarah is I am proud to be part of an organization that cares there for more than 420,000 people in Israel each year. for the builders of Israel—the generations of soldiers, We are there for the impoverished Holocaust survivors with subsidized dental treatment, and IDF veterans in need of a wheelchair and a friend. Yad Riva Director Presented with Award Israel’s Emile Zola Chair for Human Rights recognizes We are there for the pioneers that built shuls and Dr. Mickey Schindler’s work ensuring legal protection for schools, hospitals and homes, factories and families. Israel’s senior citizens. 06 We are there because of your partnership and generosity.

As we mark Israel’s 70th birthday, I am grateful for your commitment to this mission. With your generosity, we will continue to support the people who have built this vibrant, beautiful country, by bringing help and hope Caring for Israel at 70 Helping a builder of Israel to all her citizens. This milestone year, it’s important to help those who built 08the country – a mission Yad Sarah fulfills daily. farmers, rabbis, nurses, engineers, teachers, and so many other remarkable men and women—who have given lifetimes to build a strong and thriving Jewish state. Adele Goldberg, ACSW In this newsletter, we pay special tribute to these Yad Sarah on the Go everyday heroes, and highlight the important role that Yad Sarah organizes accessible outings for people of all Yad Sarah plays to improve their lives. 12 abilities, from ‘climbing’ Masada to biking in the Negev. After decades devoted to building this remarkable

Bringing help and hope to the people of Israel.

2 FRIENDS OF YAD SARAH | SPRING 2018 WWW.FRIENDSOFYADSARAH.ORG 3 About three years ago, worn down by illness and the burdens of caregiving, Dahlia knew that she desperately needed emotional support and a place where she could be honest about her difficult situation. Thankfully, she found a family caregiver support group run by Yad Sarah under the guidance of Sara Bar-Noy.

Sara Bar-Noy, a professional social worker, staffs two support groups: one in Ma’ale Adumim and another in for “the sandwich generation,” family caregivers who help frail elders while also caring for young children. Dahlia says Sara’s support has been a much-needed blessing.

Sara brings readings, films and other relevant materials, leads discussions, and guides the group, which has developed a close dynamic. Group members are Care with support means care with a smile validated and can speak frankly about things that are too sensitive to be discussed with relatives or friends. after he suffered a stroke. Today, his condition is so severe The meetings give them the emotional strength to that he needs a full-time, live-in caregiver. continue to care for their loved ones because they know they are not alone in their struggles. After each Dahlia, who has limited mobility and requires the aid session, they feel relief and joy. of a walker, still takes care of her husband as much as she can. She makes sure he is comfortable, clean and “We live from Sunday to Sunday, the day the group presentable. For as long as possible, she took him to meets,” Dahlia said. “We are able to cope thanks to this concerts, cultural performances and cafes. Today, his special service—thanks to Yad Sarah.” SUPPORTING illness and her frailty makes this difficult. A Yad Sarah support But Dahlia cannot leave David alone for a moment. group. His behavior is erratic, and he is prone to wandering. His unexpected behavior often causes embarrassment CAREGIVERS to her and those around her, which makes socializing difficult.

ahlia Hadar is the sole caregiver of her Among other things, he volunteered at the Yad But, most of all, Dahlia’s loss of connection is painful. husband David, who suffers from Alzheimer’s Sarah branch in Ma’ale Adumim, in the warehouse, Ddisease. and worked on repairs of equipment for lending. “He is with us and not with us,” she says. They built a life together in Ma’ale Adumim: a loving “He had good hands,” she says. “And they loved him David no longer speaks, has trouble processing what marriage, raising a son and a daughter, running their very much. We all still do.” people are saying, and needs help with feeding and business—a factory they owned. other daily living skills. Dahlia, 77, and David, 82, still live in their home in “My husband was a wonderful and beloved person,” Ma’ale Adumim, but things are different now. “I feel that I have lost my beloved and my good friend,” says Dahlia. “He was active, well-known in the city and she said. “It’s as if I were married to one person, and I loved to help everyone.” At a relatively young age, David was diagnosed with live today with another.” A group leader shares tips Alzheimer’s disease. His condition worsened, especially

4 FRIENDS OF YAD SARAH | SPRING 2018 WWW.FRIENDSOFYADSARAH.ORG 5 In addition to a team of 100 volunteer lawyers throughout its social prosperity, the promotion of the protection Israel, who have provided legal assistance to close to of human rights within its framework, and the 20,000 people over the last few years, Dr. Schindler development of its democratic culture.” regularly lectures to legal and elder care professionals. Dr. Schindler’s words mirror these goals perfectly: “We In May of last year, he spoke to a crowd of 500 at a work to end the suffering and improve the quality of life government-sponsored Day of Learning about supported of every senior citizen that needs help.” decision making, an approach to elder care that Dr. Schindler fought successfully for in Israel’s Supreme Court in 2015. He teaches at Bar Ilan University and Ashkelon College, and is in high demand as guest professor. Most recently, he completed a special course of instruction for psychiatry students at Tel Aviv University’s medical school. FOUR STARS

People might think these are just legal issues, but in EXCEPTIONAL RATING FOR FRIENDS the cases of elder abuse, it can truly be a matter of life and death. OF YAD SARAH Friends of Yad Sarah has received much recognition According to a recent study by University, almost for its work supporting life-changing services, and one in five elderly people in Israel face abuse, neglect and can now add another accolade: an “exceptional” economic exploitation at the hands of those that they trust. rating on Charity Navigator, which uses objective criteria to monitor the financial health and practices The study also revealed that about one in five senior of more than 8,500 charities a year. citizens are defined as poor and about one in four are DIRECTOR OF unable to do daily activities and are homebound. On December 1, Charity Navigator officially awarded Friends of Yad YAD RIVA RECEIVES Sarah four out of four Dr. Schindler stars for the fifth year receives prize The best combination of in a row, acknowledging a strong commitment to HUMANITARIAN professional excellence, accountability and transparency. Fewer than 8% of personal morality and an charities in the USA have received this designation.

AWARD academic concept of social “I give to Friends of Yad Sarah every year to honor responsibility. the memory of my grandmother, who was a nurse in World War II,” said Ilana, a mother of two young ast newsletter, we featured Dr. Mickey Schindler’s with welfare and health services, particularly around children in Chicago. “The more I learn about what vital work with Yad Sarah’s Yad Riva Legal Aid for elder abuse. Yad Sarah accomplishes, the more impressed I am. the Elderly – and he has now won a prestigious I am very happy to know that Friends of Yad Sarah Lhumanitarian award recognizing it! For example, Yad Riva learned recently of an elderly is known as a great charity.” Israeli citizen being taken advantage of financially and Dr. Schindler’s work in assisting these dire needs was The Michael Halperin Prize from the Emile Zola Chair emotionally: a man claiming to represent a charity got cited by the committee as “an exciting example of the Yad Sarah’s impact is wide-ranging, from providing for Human Rights is given to a lawyer who is “actively access to her credit card and charges it monthly, calling the best combination of professional excellence, personal basic and vital health supplies to those living in the engaged in the protection of human rights in Israel.” woman to pressure and confuse her. The woman’s family morality and an academic concept of social responsibility.” periphery, to helping elderly and disabled people begged the man to stop, explaining her weak mental access medical care. This rating is confirmation that That’s exactly what Yad Riva does – assists the elderly state, but he would not. They knew the only place to turn The prize was named in honor of lawyer Michael Halperin Friends of Yad Sarah supports those services with in knowing and realizing their rights, and collaborating was Dr. Schindler, who explained what steps to take. due to his “love for the State of Israel and his desire to see purpose, trust, and integrity.

6 FRIENDS OF YAD SARAH | SPRING 2018 WWW.FRIENDSOFYADSARAH.ORG 7 Amnon Barkaei as a Young Man

After serving in the War of Independence, Amnon celebrated in uniform during a 1949 parade marking the liberation of Tzfas the year prior. CARING FOR Amnon today, at home in Ramat Yishai with his wife, its food and turned a dry land into blooming fields; the They need the support that Yad Sarah provides. ISRAEL AT 70 grown son, and rabbis who provided spiritual direction and comforted grandchildren. so many refugees fleeing persecution, and the nurses Meet, for example, Rachel Geffen – the first female patrol who worked long hours in makeshift conditions to keep officer in Petach Tikvah. With more than 35 years of the country healthy and growing. service in the Israeli Police Force, she protected her community with honor and distinction. his year, as Israel turns 70, Jews around the There are generations of builders living in Israel today world will be filled with pride in the Jewish state’s who have devoted their lives to shaping and bolstering Toward the end of her career, Rachel injured her leg and Yad Sarah is very remarkable history, wide-ranging accomplishments, the modern Jewish state as we know it. And yet, far too underwent an operation. During her recovery, she came proud to care for people Tand promising future. many of these builders have been left behind, and need into contact with Yad Sarah’s wide range of services. support. who took care of Israel for It is a time to celebrate not only the place that Jews “Yad Sarah opened its arms and opened its heart to me so many years. proudly call their homeland, but also the people who They are homebound, or need expensive medical during my six months of recovery,” says Rachel. “After I got built it – the soldiers who fought to keep the country equipment they can’t afford. They need rehab after back on my feet, I knew that I had to do something to help safe; the teachers who educated leaders in technology, surgeries, visitors to talk to, legal advice, and sometimes, others, and applied to volunteer at Yad Sarah’s Modi’in business, and government; the kibbutzniks who grew intense caregiving. branch. I’ve now been volunteering there for five years!”

8 FRIENDS OF YAD SARAH | SPRING 2018 WWW.FRIENDSOFYADSARAH.ORG 9 Haifa When she is not spending time with her three children and six grandchildren, Rachel manages the branch’s BRANCHING Exhibition Center, helps to loan equipment, and plans events at the center.

Yad Sarah helped Rachel to heal, and now provides OUT II Tel Aviv-Yafo meaning and activity in her later years. Yad Sarah has more than 100 branches throughout Israel, serving more than 420,000 people every year. The organization relies on caring, dedicated Yad Sarah client Chaya Sela also credits the volunteers—who are led by an inspired group of volunteer branch managers. Jerusalem organization with delivering life-changing help. Here is a glimpse into the experiences of these branch managers and the lives She is one of the thousands of Holocaust survivors they have transformed. that Yad Sarah serves. Beersheva

After devoting decades to caring for her fellow Israelis as a nurse, Chaya had no one to care for her later in life Emek Medical Center, Afula when an expensive dental treatment became necessary. Rachel Geffen, the first female patrol officer in Petach Tikvah Yehudit Attia That’s where Yad Sarah came in, treating her at its dental pictured here volunteering in the Modi’in branch. I volunteer with the Women’s Forum and Community Centers here clinic free of charge. in Afula, but I can see the impact of Yad Sarah the most. Recently, an elderly man came in with a young woman and we began to tell her how to assist with equipment, assuming that she was there to help For many builders with limited mobility – and preserves an important history her grandfather—but he wasn’t her grandfather! He had asked her of Israel, Yad Sarah for future generations. for directions, and she wanted to make sure he’d be okay! That’s the does more than care power of Yad Sarah. It’s lending a hand whenever you can. for physical needs, it Other builders that Yad Sarah helped have already nourishes our clients’ passed away, but they are remembered for their

souls and preserves accomplishments and impact. Elat their memory for future generations. For example, Marjorie Seal, who built Israel One of these clients is with her hands—as a farmer. She made aliyah in Amnon Barkaei, born 1954 and embraced the kibbutz lifestyle, working in in Petach Tikvah in greenhouses that transformed the Jewish state’s 1926. At the age of desert into thriving farmland. At 85, with kidney and 14, he defended his heart problems as well as low blood pressure, she Rechasim: Batya Arentroy Kfar Kama: Nazak Napso Ashdod: Hanna Gontov yishuv against rioters needed special medical equipment to live. Yad Sarah My husband and I set up this I have four children and own a This is one of the busiest Yad during the conflict provided her with a wheelchair, walker, and portable branch 40 years ago when we textile factory—but our branch Sarah branches in the country. Chaya Sela between 1936-39. oxygen tank—which enabled Marjorie to live at home got married, and we raised is always open to help the We are open every day from He later joined the comfortably until her last breath. our children to volunteer with people of our community 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and have Palmach and fought Yad Sarah—they learned math and we would never turn a 109 volunteers. Ashdod is a by adding up deposits and customer away. This is a unique large city with a large immigrant for the newly independent Jewish state, and eventually “These men and women devoted their lives to building tabulating donations. Home city because we are mostly population—first from North became a hobbyist historian with special expertise on the modern Jewish State we know today. They are branches have a special role Circassian, Muslims with Balkan Africa and more recently from Israel’s small towns. Israel’s version of the “Greatest Generation,” says for the community: during the ancestry who aided Jews in the former Soviet Union—and Adele Goldberg, Executive Director of Friends of Gulf War, when missiles littered immigrating to Israel from our clients and volunteers Saving this life story and thousands of others is a Yad Sarah. “Whether they need physical rehabilitation, the sky, many people stayed Lebanon and today are very reflect that. A Russian woman, special Yad Sarah project, which pairs volunteers with legal assistance, dental treatments, medical at home and large branches patriotic Israeli citizens. We Nina, came into the branch to were not open during normal serve neighbors with all sorts ask for a personal emergency older people in Israel to record and capture unique equipment or friendly visitors, Yad Sarah is there. hours. Today, our children and of backgrounds-- Muslims, transmitter (like a Life Alert) experiences. The project provides nurturing visits and We are privileged to care for people who took care our grandchildren still volunteer Bedouins, and Jews—secular, for her mother. Our volunteers human interaction to a population that is often lonely, of Israel for so many years.” with Yad Sarah, and we still help religious and ultra-Orthodox. spoke to her in Hebrew and everyone in our community. Yad Sarah helps everyone. Russian to make sure she knew what to do.

10 FRIENDS OF YAD SARAH | SPRING 2018 WWW.FRIENDSOFYADSARAH.ORG 11 Yad Sarah’s staff and volunteers carefully plan details to ensure that the trip-goers will be safe. For example, during Hanukkah, 30 people in wheelchairs visited Masada—the site of a famous siege where Jewish citizens laid down their lives instead of becoming slaves to Romans. Ten of Yad Sarah’s accessible vans were driven by volunteers to the large, rocky hilltop. After ascending the mountain on cable cars, each person had their own escort to ensure that they were hydrated and did not get too much sun.

The group learned about the story of the first Roman Judean revolt and the following battles, then had A Yad Sarah accessible van on the road to a small candle-lighting ceremony. The new program has already Masada. This special Hanukkah trip was helped many of those who need the first time many of the greater accessibility to learn more wheelchair-bound Israelis had about their country’s history. The been to Masada. program brings joy and activity to people who are often excluded, “Because of my condition, I have truly changing their outlook and never seen many important mental health. Learning about history on site. places in Israel,” says Yael. “I am so grateful to Yad Sarah for giving me The volunteers who help with the the ability to come to Masada for program also place a high value on ACCESSIBLE the very first time.” connecting with people. Yonatan, Yad Sarah trips a guide, said he helps Yad Sarah are the highlights Other outings have brought because his father was confined to of my year. ISRAEL Israelis with disabilities to Jaffa, a wheelchair before passing away. Jerusalem, the zoo, and battle sites He saw firsthand how important it of the 1948 War of Independence. is to give people the opportunity to Uneven ground, narrow pathways, steep stairs and volunteer organization hosts trips that allow people in Each trip carefully accounts for be active. desert heat: Exploring Israel’s ancient and modern wheelchairs, or with other mobility aids, to experience the special needs of its members— sites can be a near-impossible feat for people with some of Israel’s important historic and natural sites. including their routines, times to “Getting people out of their house mobility issues. rest and eat, a slower pace, and and showing them the history and “Many popular places in Israel have done a lot of work other factors. For each adventure, beauty of this country changes their Enter Yad Sarah. to become more accessible,” says David, who has used guides pick up each person and quality of life,” he says. “It is a a wheelchair his whole life. “Unfortunately, many of the a companion from their homes privilege to share my knowledge In addition to providing equipment and services that guided options still don’t accommodate. They go too fast with the Yad Sarah vans and returns with the people on the trip. make day-to-day life possible for people with or aren’t always over smooth ground. I have been on two them home after the conclusion Donating my time to Yad Sarah is disabilities or poor health, Israel’s largest national Yad Sarah trips and they are the highlights of my year.” of the trip. how I honor my father’s memory.”

12 FRIENDS OF YAD SARAH | SPRING 2018 WWW.FRIENDSOFYADSARAH.ORG 13 ALL ABOUT YAD SARAH VITAL STATISTICS 2017 YAD SARAH RECORDING HISTORY, Yad Sarah, Israel’s largest volunteer-staffed 26 Homebound Equipment organization in Israel, provides a vital array of Emergency Alarms Projects Centers Maintenance Centers compassionate health and home services for ONE STORY AT A TIME people of all ages. Yad Sarah’s free services are delivered by more than 6,000 volunteers 19,500 60,000 170,000 in more than 100 branches. Subscribers Home Visits Repairs Yad Sarah’s Life Stories Project is Russian, German and/or Farsi, as they The yearning for that kind The people of Israel — and people with Per Year a key component of Yad Sarah’s spend months creating a book that of experience is what leads special needs traveling to Israel — rely on Yad Riva Legal Aid homebound outreach initiative. The is printed and bound, and formally participants, often who have Yad Sarah to help them remain independent, 120,000 Play Center For To The Elderly program was originally envisioned presented to family members in a never spoken of their experiences healthy and at home. Total Incoming Calls Children With Special for Holocaust survivors, but now meaningful celebration. before, to engage in the project. Needs Our programs and services include: Visits includes Israeli-born In their later years, or facing a 10,000 8,000 Per Medical Equipment Lending Centers Visits Year Sabras, and immigrants The process is also serious health issue, many True Emergency Calls Per An inventory of over 350,000 items to be Cases in 20 Locations from countries around transformative for the participants feel a strong urge 3,700 Year loaned out at no cost to the borrowers. the world. volunteer, who bears to leave a permanent record for Guidance and Exhibition Centers Geriatric Da’at Medical witness to first-person their families and the world. 40 Yad Sarah Vans Dental Clinics Information Service Displaying equipment and daily living tools In the case of Yehudit accounts that preserve available to help people with special needs Kutner, telling her our history as a people. One participant said: “Now, my live independently. Life Story meant grandchildren will be able to 137,000 7,200 2,300 Day Rehabilitation Centers preserving the tale of One volunteer, for understand what I went through in Trips Treatments Per Year Inquiries Physical and occupational therapy; computer, Per Year (Stationary, mobile & portable) her own survival in the example, a survivor who my life. Even more important, they art, drama and gardening therapy; meals and Life Story Project participants Nadvordna ghetto, her had escaped in time will see the connection between social events for young and old recovering at their book ceremony. attempts to escape and and been spared the my personal story of survival and from strokes, surgery, illness and injury. Visits To 8 Guidance & Health & many painful captures, worst horrors of the the story of the survival of the Geriatric Dental Clinic 5 Day Exhibition Centers Rehabilitation Centers Fitness Center and her years in hiding in Poland. Nazi period, feels his work on the Jewish people, epitomized A full range of specialized care for the After the war, Yehudit moved to Life Stories Project helps him fulfill by the Zionist dream and the elderly provided by volunteer dentists Israel in 1949 and raised a family. a moral obligation to the survivors establishment of a new generation and including mobile treatment for the Visits homebound. 15,300 28,800 6,600 who were not as fortunate as he was. of proud Jews in our own state Visits Chaya Gazit, a volunteer for Yad of Israel.” Yad Riva Legal Aid Legal services, legal counseling, legal Sarah’s Life Stories project, was For the subjects telling their tales, the representation and social assistance for assigned to work with Yehudit and process is restoring and empowering. the elderly provided by volunteer lawyers. People Helped Per Year More the two women soon developed an Than Emergency Alarm Center 420,000 easy rapport. Chaya helped Yehudit Yehudit, for example, learned more Now, my Peace of mind for the elderly 24 hours a day organize the details of her inspiring about her extended family, including grandchildren with two-way transmitters connected to Yad Branches story and the small anecdotes that a cousin who was lost in Operation Sarah’s national computerized system. 100+ will be able to lend color and flavor to a historical Boatswain in 1941. Chaya connected Outreach to the Homebound narrative. She transcribed the text Yehudit with Mali, her cousin’s widow, understand what Visits and projects to activate hands and Loans Of Medical/ and gathered the photos to create who also participated in Yad Sarah’s minds and raise morale of people isolated Rehab Equipment in the I went through in past year at home. 320,000 a memorable keepsake for Yehudit Life Stories project. The two older my life. and her family. women shared stories of family Play Center and Toy Library members and spend time together. Providing a safe and supportive Volunteers The Life Stories Project has 300 environment for children with special needs 6,000+ specially-trained volunteers, like “She identified everyone in my old to learn and develop through play. Chaya, who work on this process with pictures,” Yehudit said, “together, The Life Stories project is another Transportation Services Volunteer Hours Per thousands of individuals, like Yehudit. we recorded my family’s history way Yad Sarah cares for the Wheelchair-accessible rides to work, school, Year medical appointments and social occasions. 1,000,000+ The volunteers speak Hebrew, that would otherwise have been people who built Israel—and all English, French, Spanish, Yiddish, lost forever.” the generations to come.

14 FRIENDS OF YAD SARAH | SPRING 2018 WWW.FRIENDSOFYADSARAH.ORG 15 LEAVE A LEGACY FOR Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage ISRAEL — AND RECEIVE 445 Park Avenue, Suite 1702 PAID New York, New York 10022 Friends of HIGH, FIXED-RATE, www.friendsofyadsarah.org Yad Sarah LIFETIME INCOME

Providing for Yad Sarah is providing for Israel. Improving the lives of more than 420,000 people in Israel every year, Yad Sarah represents what is best about Israel and its people.

A YAD SARAH GIFT ANNUITY – MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ISRAEL AFTER GET INCOME FOR LIFE YOUR LIFETIME A Yad Sarah Gift Annuity pays high, fixed-rate, Leaving a bequest in your will or trust for Yad Sarah provides lifetime income for one or two individuals. May much needed funds for the important work of Yad Sarah in we calculate the annuity rate, tax deduction Israel. You might also consider including Friends of Yad Sarah and tax-free income portion for you? For many as a beneficiary of your IRA or of your life insurance policy. Your individuals, a gift annuity is an especially valuable after-lifetime gift may be designated for programs of Yad Sarah in retirement planning vehicle. Israel that are dear to you or entrusted to Yad Sarah for use where most needed to assist in helping Israel’s most vulnerable people. A SAMPLE OF YAD SARAH’S HIGH GIFT ANNUITY RATES

Age Rate Tax Free*

65 6.0 69.6%

70 6.5 72.8%

75 7.1 75.4% LET US SHOW YOU HOW We can provide you and your advisors with language for your 80 8.0 77.9% will or trust. We can help you set up a fund to benefit Yad Sarah in Israel. We can show you how to memorialize your gift. 85 9.5 81.8%

90 11.3 84.0% TO BE A YAD SARAH PARTNER Please contact Adele Goldberg, the Executive Director of *A final calculation of the tax-free portion will be made for the month of the gift, based on IRS rules. Friends of Yad Sarah, at 1-866-YAD-SARAH or by email at [email protected].

UNITED STATES OFFICE: CANADA OFFICE: YAD SARAH HOUSE: 445 Park Avenue, Suite 1702 Toll Free:1-866-YAD-SARAH 788 Marlee Avenue, Suite 314 124 Herzl Boulevard New York, New York 10022 [email protected] Toronto, Ontario M6B 3K1 Jerusalem, Israel 96187 Tel: 212-223-7758 Skype: friends.of.yadsarah Tel: 416-781-6416 Fax: 212-223-7759 Adele Goldberg, Director [email protected] Arlene Weisbart, Director

16 FRIENDS OF YAD SARAH | SPRING 2018 To receive your next copy of Inside Yad Sarah by email, write to us at: [email protected]