Dear Friends,

This additional news belongs to the letter that you received yesterday.  It contains wonderful and deep evaluation of the students from Baram and Modiin, connecting with the shoa winners during the Shoa Memorial Day.  If you have patients to read it, you will experience how great impact the Lechaim project has on the students.

Enjoy, Daniel Braun

FROM MODIIN

Tomer:  The meetings I had with Chemda have given me a deeper understanding of the depth the issues of loneliness and economic struggles that many Holocaust survivors are experiencing today, and that "Yom Hashoa - the Holocaust memorial day" is pointless if we only attempt to remember those who died and ignore those who  survived and are here today. In addition  during my time spent with Hemda she taught me to look at everything in a positive way and how to be strong.

Maayan & Liyah-  Grandma Sarah gave us an additional and unique meaning for the Holocaust memorial Day. During our visit with her, we were exposed to her worldview - to her beliefs and interesting opinion on matters. We heard the stories first hand and we greatly appreciate this opportunity. To see the personal pain and the daily coping with the basic things. During our conversations, it was important to her that we  remain engaged and involve with the topic and not try to escape or be afraid of it. She makes a point of giving these important stories over and we have the privilege to hear them. Grandma Sarah is a remarkable, inspiring, warm woman with a great desire to give and convey the important message she carries with her. Our conversations with her were enriching and gave us another perspective on the Holocaust.

Gal and Elazar - Our visits to Yehudit were so good for us. Getting to know her and meeting her enabled us to meet a funny and fun woman and it gave us a good feeling to meet her, and also knowing that it made her happy that we were coming to visit. We have maintained our connection with her and we also speak to her on a daily basis and send pictures or videos to each other. This makes both sides feel very good. We would love to keep this connection by keeping in touch and hope that we can maintain it for as long as possible.

Adar, Yael and Zohar -  the truth is that we hardly got to speak to Svetlana and Dimitri about the Holocaust, as Svetlana wasn't keen to discuss the topic and we didn't want to create an awkward situation. Our meetings with the Holocaust survivors, Svetlana and Dimitri, enabled us to relate better to the Holocaust memorial day for various reasons. The main reason being that although Svetlana didn't specifically speak about the Holocaust, she did speak about the anti-Semitism that she experienced in the Ukraine.Svetlana lived in a city called Harson in Ukraine, and in her surrounding she was unable to speak Yiddish because of the anti-Semitism and so she only spoke at home. She described the anti semitism as being everywhere....at school, in the neighborhoods and in many other places. As the root of the Holocaust is extreme anti-Semitism, we feel better connected now to  the Holocaust survivors as we hear about what they experienced. 

None of us volunteers have any family members who experienced the Holocaust or were connected to it in any way and so it was at first more difficult for us to feel connected. Yet thanks to our meetings with Dimitri and Svetlana we learned about their side and we found a common denominator with the whole subject of the Holocaust as we now personally know people who lived through it.

Shiri Tamam - I am truly very close to Miriam and I enjoy hearing her stories. I feel that she makes me appreciate what I have more and more. Her positive energy is the best and she is simply a pleasant and incredible human being. I am so glad I got to meet her.

Yael - the Holocaust memorial day has always been a meaningful day for me, but this year following my meetings with Grandma Sarah as a part of the "Amutat LeChaim" programme, this day will undoubtedly be even more meaningful.  At almost every meeting with Grandma Sara the topic of the Holocaust was raised and we were moved by every story. During the Holocaust memorial day this year I will be thinking of the stories I heard first hand and not second or third hand, something that transforms the day to even more meaningful with a deeper sense of understanding.

Nitzan-  The connection with Miriam influenced me in a way that I learned so much about myself, that I have patience and a need to give, and I did all I could to make her feel good. I phone her twice or 3 times a week and every time I remember to call her, I phone my Grandma as well ?? and that makes me so happy.  After every meeting with Miriam I left with a good feeling and I was glad to see her happy.

Shachar - This year the Holocaust memorial day and my outlook on the Holocaust in general got an additional meaning to the way I usually experience it. 

Over the years the Holocaust memorial day felt to me like just a sad day and this event was unfathomable and shocking for me.

This year it still feels that way but thanks to Grandma Sara it now has an additional feeling of appreciation towards people who experienced and survived this ordeal after they lost many of their loved ones and went through this horrible thing and yet they chose to continue life, to come live in Israel and to establish new families...it is thanks to them that many of us live here. This made me understand how that can not be taken for granted and deserves insane appreciation.

FROM SAFET

Yonatan Baram - my connection with the Holocaust survivors I met through the program is very strong!

At the beginning of the year I met Eli and Shalom and I instantly had the privilege of entering the world of two elderly people, filled with life knowledge and experience and a zest for life and their ability to teach and give so much. In the course of the weekly meetings our connection strengthened and integrated.

Before I met Eli and Shalom it was hard for me to imagine how I could truly connect to a 70 year old person let alone a 98 year old!! It was totally absurd for me, but really as the time passed they entered my heart, I managed to see old people differently and understand how much we can learn from them.

The past period of time has not been simple for any of us, it is during this time that I draw strength from Eli in particular, a person who went through so much in his life yet remains optimistic through it. During this time when I am unable to see people and friends I was used to seeing on a regular daily basis, the person I miss  meeting and seeing most is Eli, and I miss my interaction with him greatly.  I long and anticipate to meet Eli and Shalom again and to return to our good routine,  to our deep and long conversations, in the meantime we try keep connected via the telephone and to strengthen one another.

Hagar - Neither Yehudit nor Lillian are Holocaust survivors but my connection with them is very important and meaningful. They are both warm and loving women who experienced so much in life. Their stories are always thrilling and informative. I learned so much from them both and I am so grateful that I got to meet them and see what true strength and love looks like. Yehudit teaches me thinking strategies in many games and passes on to me some of her knowledge and way of thinking.  At Lillian I learn so much about the wars of Israel and about her and her husband,  Meir's, connection to Israel. I love them both very much and greatly appreciate them both. I am grateful and happy that I had the privilege of decreasing their sorrow and loneliness, even just a bit.

Daniel Braun

Pesach: A flower and a video campaign for the Shoa winners

April 13, 2020,   Nissan 19, 5780

Shalom friends!

We wish you a Blessed and Happy Pesach Holiday. Chag Pesach Sameach!

This week, Shir initiated a great campaign this week for our dear Shoa Winners in Tsfat and Modiin.  She sent flowers, students sent video messages.

Even if the video's are in Hebrew language, you will very much enjoy listen to is!  The students from this year and also from past years participated in this beautiful project. They called them and brought to them "Besorot Tovot" Wishes of happiness, health and strength until this "corona pass-over has passed.We pray that it will be very soon.

Greetings from, Daniel, Timek, Shuky and Shir.

A flower and video campaign got underway today

In honor of the Pesach holiday I distributed flowers to all our Holocaust winners in Modiin and the joy was immense!
Seeing the winners in the distance, without being able to hug them was hard! I surprised the winners without notice and they were excited to the sky and so were I.

In addition, today I "showed" our winners that do not have a smartphone of best wishes from all the volunteers who have been with them over the years.
Everyone photographed themselves, whether at home or already in the military, congratulating their beloved grandparents for the holiday. The Winners and me too, couldn't keep our eyes dry. Tomorrow the rest of the videos will be sent just in time for Seder to give them a good feeling and show how much they are loved !!

Also in Safed, flowering flowerpots were sent for all the winners and the videos will also arrive tomorrow. It is amazing to see how the magic of life exists every now and again, and how many connections created,even if it has been four or five years since the students did visit the winners, it left something in the hearts of the students.

Wishing you that, after all,we would have a happy and blossoming holiday,who would look inside and work on what was needed,who would look around us at the special people we had won in our lives and forget to look a little outside of our shell and see where to help.

Most importantly we will be healthy !!!!

 L'Chaim activities during the corona crisis

April 2, 2020, Nissan 8,  5780

Shalom Chaverim.

A joyful news from Lechaim, Israel. Yes, we have the corona too, but in the same time we are bringing you very inspiring story that you can read below in Shir her report. The only think I can say that I am so amazed that our wonderful students keep calling every day to our winners that need this contact more than ever.

Thank you so much to all our dear friends in Holland, Norway, Singapore, USA, and of course to our friends here in Israel that take part in this heart to heart beautiful work.

Wonderful light to Pesach during the Corona peroid!

In the world and in Israel we are trying to understand the lesson that the Corona is teaching us.

This is a situation that we were forced into for a good reason - to tell us that a known way of life is no longer relevant. This situation, when reality changes at once, is so traumatizing and sudden. Our familiar world, with its security, is discovered as untrusted. Mostly when it comes to the competitive, capitalistic world and the crazy rat race,which brought only madness and restlessness and as we see, a terrible epidemic.

In this situation, people are panicked and trying whatever they can to preserve their existing situation. It's an understandable fear that exist in all of us, but we need to know that things will never be the same again. Instead of finding solutions based on our former, unhealthy situation,because that's what we know, we have a wonderful opportunity, when we are in solitary, to look in the mirror and examine the things that we spent our life running away from.

What fears are there and what anxiety? Generally - what our priorities are in this life?

It's not an easy process. The emotions are stronger than usual, because for thousands of years we were used to running, we were addicted to the competitive culture and the endless inner voices which the brain needs rest from but finds that hard to do. Now we have an opportunity to rehabilitate.

It's hard, but there is wonderful news there. In the internal convergence there is a great blessing,

if we do not overload ourselves with too much media noise and if we do not chase after a million sources of information that drive our systems crazy and enhance the fear.

Pay attention, the slowing down that we were forced into, is asking us to stop a little, slow down and reduce. These things are exactly what Pesach symbolizes freedom from the labor and enslavement of the materialism race and the culture of consumption.

I thank all the operatives of Lechaim for continuing a wonderful communication with the Shoa survivors. I'd like to thank Amalia Silberstein, a true poet, for her contribution through her profound songs. I invite people who are sensitive to the spirit of our project, to make a donation, so we can continue this wonderful project. I also invite anyone who wants to learn first hand about the situation that we are in now to call me on my cellphone +972 547723510.

Blessings and have a happy holiday,

Daniel Braun

Shir: Story about Shalom from Safet

Amidst all the current madness our world is experiencing, here is proof that there is nothing that can stand in the way of the genuine desire to help. Shalom shared with Orit who comes to him every morning these days to make him breakfast and to encourage him that he had fallen out of his old bed several times and was suffering greatly.

She of course did not remain indifferent and passed it on to us immediately.

With united forces and with a lot of goodwill and desire to help and in spite of the "welfare" organizations having said in the past that they would help him (he is still waiting - possibly in 2050!) - the operation was completed last night.

A bed was bought in almost new condition and it was transported at night by Orit's boys to the cramped little house of Shalom.

Shalom

It is important to understand that Shalom lives in the heart of the Old City of Safed, where vehicles are not allowed in so the boys carried the bed across town. It is an act of unparalleled dedication and determination to immediately help Shalom and allow him to sleep safely and well at night.What power a team can generate, what strength there is in giving !!!

Students from Baram on the phone with the Winners of Safet:

I talk a lot with Shalom and he is suffering a lot during this period. Orit no doubt makes it easier for him but it is hard for him to be at home all the time and he constantly asks me when I am already coming and says that he misses me very much and does not really understand the situation. We also spoke tonight just before the new bed delivery operation and he was really excited and happy.

The amazing Esther tries to take it easy and tells me that she sees a lot of series, resting, listening to music and learning things online but she has no desire to cook and mostly misses her routine and people. But she gets lots and lots of phone calls from the soldiers and also from the students of Baram of this year and also many from previous years. And she thanked us many times for everything she has received from us.

Julie has moved to another rehabilitation center after her serious fall and says that she is happier with the new place but it is very hard for her not to be at home and that visitors are not allowed to come due to the restrictions.

As usual, sweet Moshe and Irena maintain their optimism and take things easy, for Irena it is a normal situation because due to her foot problems. She does not leave home. Moshe sometimes goes for a walk and continues in his independent manner.

Eli continues with walks near his home and is happy we call him and said his son continues to look after him wonderfully from afar and communicates a lot and takes care to bring him everything he needs. 

Lillian has had a lot of very difficult issues to deal with since the death of Meir Z"L and is really having trouble recovering and rehabilitating herself.

Judith from Safed is happy for the help during this difficult time and thanked us many times and told me it was not easy for her to ask but it really helps her and touches her heart. She suffers a lot from a lack of routine. Her home  is normally always open to neighbors and friends but no one has been coming or going these days.

Shir: In general, this period teaches us about the importance of these special connections happening on a regular basis all year round as a routine and of course all the more so in difficult times.There is nothing that makes me happier, filling my heart during these difficult days than the conversations with these amazing grandfathers and grandmothers of mine and the reactions. I hear both from the volunteers and them about this wonderful connection between them and this Blessed activity, this doing which is called Lechaim! To feel the joy of such meaningful Jewish creativity is absolutely the feeling!!!

Elad: I and Shira talked with Moshe and Orna and the truth is that they sound quite optimistic as always. Since in any event they do not usually leave the house, so except for our visits,  which sadly have been stopped, their routine has not really changed much. They were very happy to hear from us and overall, they sound really fine. 

Hagar: I talked to Judith and she is very depressed. The situation is very difficult for her. She is generally unwell and hardly leaves her home but now that no one is allowed to visit her, she sits in front of the TV all day and is really sad. She is also very worried and thinks a lot about what she will do on the night of Passover Seder and how she will manage it alone.  She was very happy with the deliveries of supplies from Lechaim.

Dan: I and Omer talked to Esther. Esther stays at home on her own. Her children do not visit her at all because of the fear of passing infection to her. While she remains alone in her home, she says that she is constantly receiving calls and with enquiries as to her health.

Rotem: I and Jonathan both called the Winners independently. We spoke to Eli and he sounded optimistic and encouraging. I have to add that Eli has decided to go for walks here and there which is a bit worrying. I gave him my opinion but he insisted that it was doing him good and that he was quite capable and does not need to ask for help.

It sounded like Shalom maybe didn't quite understand the situation but felt bad that he was home alone.

Shir from Modiin continues...

Here is my summary of a number of conversations I had with each of the Winners:

Amazing Jeanette says she spends a lot of quality time with herself and actually enjoys reading lots of books and listening to music and arranging the house and trying to keep optimistic, We had warm and loving conversations.

Judith from Modiin told me she was trying to look at it as a time for friendship and the positive side and said she was getting lots of funny videos and talking to friends from Israel and abroad.

Simi and Rafi were really happy that I called and we talked about the deep message that the Corona teaches us - to appreciate what we have, to behave modestly and to realize that there is something far greater than us.

Miriam from Modiin said she experienced many difficulties recovering from severe surgery that she had following a fall but was glad she was at least home and not in hospital. She said she was managing with food and shopping. But very glad that the girls call her.

Sweet Shulamit said that it is not easy for her with the quarantine and that she does not see the family and does not go out but tries to keep optimistic and I was happy to remind her how much she has already gone through and how much she is capable of and that she has such inner strength and she was very excited to hear that.

Mordecai is going through a very difficult health crisis and has aged a lot and I felt the same way about him on my last visit before Corona.

He is very weak and hardly plays a game of chess which used to be his life pleasure.

But he was glad and excited that I called and told me that Hagit (the volunteer who has been with him for 4 years and is a mother of 4 children and has a private business and comes every week!) calls and it makes him happy.

Chemda as usual deals with everything with humor and tries to make lemonade from the lemons.

Lots of grandchildren from this year and previous years call and I too and make sure she doesn't get bored and she certainly makes sure we don't get bored either.

Riri says she is taking the period as a recovery time and is already feeling better after the severe health problems she suffered from and the difficulty in breathing that made me sleep with her for a few nights about six months ago to make sure she was fine during the night.

She is grateful that she is feeling better and that is wonderful and she is very careful not to go out.

Svetlana and Dimitri as well as Grandma Sarah and Abraham were very happy to receive my mother's amazing cakes that we know they love and which she made especially for them.

The two couples try to take the "difficulties in their stride" and it makes me happy that they are together.

Timek from the Galilee:

I see and experience that our students are calling each of their shoa winners with great love and dedication. It does so much good to them both. What excited me very much, and what encouraged me also much, during these days of distress, that Yuval, who is now in the army, mobilized the previous year group of our students. Every week he encourage them to make the phone call to at least two of the winners, to help them through this difficult time. I see that this is the fruit of the Lechaim-to-life work we do. The seeds that have been planted into the student’s heart have been planted in a solid ground and now in the time of distress we see the fruits already.  And also, our students now are very much connected with the winners during this time. It gives them satisfaction that they can do something good, during this time.

Rona, for example, is in contact with Ela, Anna and Jafim from Katzrin. Both Ela and Anna stay at home and do basically well during this time.

Jafim.jpg

For Jafim it is harder. He struggles with his health and needs his daily walks and connecting with people, which both are now very limited. He is in normal life already very much lonely and now it is much harder for him. Rona’s parents live in New York and the situation there is very very bad. Baruch HaShem, her parents are safe at the moment. 

Itai is in connection with Bracha. She love’s it. She calls the students sweethearts.

Linoi and Lilach with Bracha

A phone call from the students gives her extra joy and energy to manage through the day. This is the story of the most of our winners at the moment. Baruch HaShem they all are save, waiting in their homes until the situation improves. Calling them is a great help.

Vered and Roy call Mina every few days. Mina needs it so much to talk about her life situation. Vered and Roy listen to her patiently and try to encourage her.
They love Mina and  do it with all their heart.

Mina

Mina had a heart failure few weeks ago. She suddenly felt down, nobody knows how much time she was unconscious. When she woke up again, she had to wash her self and then called the ambulance. The ambulance rushed her to the hospital. Now she is back home, but it is scary for her to be alone. This can happen again. And she needs treatment for her cancer, but now because of the corona, she needs to wait. These are heart breaking situations. Mina needs to talk about it. And so Vered and Roy are basically her life line at the moment.

Shalom,
Timek

A very Special Report from Lechaim

February 27, 2020, Adar 2, 5780

Report

We want to share with you, how our students express what participating in Lechaim project means to them.


Rona (most right on the picture) from Mechina Meitsar, made Aliya from the United States. Her ambition is to study philosophy and she is dedicated to do something meaningful in her life. Rona is visiting Jafim, Ella and Anna in Katzrin together with Gali, Shira and Roi.

Rona tells us this:
“For me personally this is one of the most meaningful community integration projects I’ve ever bee a part of. Building a personal connection one on one with the shoa victors throughout the year is a process in which both we get to benefit from each other. I enjoy our weekly visits immensely, it always lightens my heart to spend time with them, learning from them, hearing their story, and not only do I always come out with a fulfilling feeling, but the knowledge that I did something good and helped brighten up someone’s week who needed it.”

Itai is from the Mechina in Kfar Hanasi and he is visiting Bracha in Chazor together with Ayelet.

We were talking with our students about “volunteering”. Monday, is the day of “volunteering” for the students in the Mechina, their time of visiting the homes of Shoa Winners.


Itai and Bracha

Itai replies: “I don’t feel that I am a volunteer. I don’t feel that I come to help “poor Bracha”. That is not the situation. The real story is that this is my weekly visit of Bracha. This is not volunteering; this is a beautiful meeting. Before I come to Bracha in the afternoon, I did that morning real volunteering work. That work is very intensive and exhausting. Visiting Bracha is the opposite. It is very relaxing, not at all “hard work”.
Bracha is always very kind to us, and she offer us always something to drink and to eat. I know when we are together the beautiful conversations make her feel so good. And, when this make her feel good, it makes me feel good too.

When we would speak about our visits “volunteer work”, that would make Bracha a poor and needy person. That would be very arrogant to say. That is definitely not the case.

And by doing so, they fulfilled – maybe without realizing this - the greatest “mitzva” from the Tenach:

We visit our Shoa Winners, because it is important to us. And it is a very special project to be involved in this way.”

In the video, Yuval expresses how he feels in the Lechaim project. Yuval is from the Mechina Ma’ayan Baruch and he is visiting Steve, Rachel, Rivka and Peretz in Kibbutz Neot-Mordechai, together with Emily, Oded and Yotam. You can see the video by clicking on this link. Yuval speaks both English and Hebrew. https://youtu.be/03lcND4x2CM

These examples represent the feelings of all of our dear students, participating in our project.

Two special stories that happened in the last couple of weeks during the weekly visits.

Jossi surrounded by friends: Shira (most left), Noa, Aja, parents of Shira, Jossi's helper

One day, Shira brought her parents to see with their own eyes how she is involved in the visiting of the shoa victors. Shira is one of our students that visit Jafim in Katzrin. While I (Timek) was visiting the students and the Shoa Winners: Tsipora, Marit and Jossi in Kibbutz Chukuk, suddenly while I was standing at my car to pickup new package to deliver for TuBeShvat to Jossi, Shira jumped out of the car, that just arrived and parked next to me.

I was totally surprised to see Shira here in a kibbutz – 50 km away from Katzrin, where she is actually doing the weekly visits!

I asked her: “How come that you end up here”? She pointed to her parents who brought Shira just here on this spot that none of us had planned in advance! Her parents took a day off from work and came all the way from Modiin to the Galilee to spend a day with their daughter to see how it is to visit Shoa Winners in their homes in Katzrin. After they finished visits in Katzrin at Jafim, Anna and Ela, Shira took them to the kibbutz Chukuk where her friend Noah is involved with Lechaim project and visits Jossi.

And so, it happened that I we went together to bring a surprise visit to Jossi. Noa and Aja were already with Jossi chatting at the table as usual. Suddenly Jossi’s house was full of people. Six of us! We all brought love and light into Jossi tiny house and he felt this. For Jossi it was a heavenly moment. He was so happy!
At the end of the day, parents of Shira were very much impressed about the great impact her daughter and other students make in the lives of the Shoa Winners through the weekly visits. They went back home very satisfied and fulfilled with joy of what they saw this day.

Noah and Hila visiting Chagit

Noah (another Noah) and Hila were visiting Chagit in Kibbutz Chukuk. Chagit was so happy and awaited them every Monday afternoon, until she fell down. Chagit was already very ill and this fall was enough reason for Chagit family to take her out of the kibbutz into their home to care for here from their house. Noah and Hila lost Chagit on their weekly visits, but that didn't make them disappointed! They kept contact with Chagit by phone, but were unable to visit her, because of the long travel distance and without transportation. But one day, they took the bus and traveled all the way to meet Chagit, to see her at least one more time. They framed a picture together with nice note with blessing for her and gave it to Chagit. Chagit was so happy by this act of big love from these young students.

Noah and Hila didn’t have to do this effort. But they followed their hearts!

“Love your fellow neighbor as yourself”.

Greetings form Lechaim Israel,
Timek

Lighting candle with Lechaim

December 26, 2019, 28 Kislev 5780

Chanukah celebrations in the north
Beside of Chanukah party in Kiryat Shmona, we also had a Chanukah celebration in Chazor. Bracha opened her house for the shoa victors from Chazor and the students.

Roni with Bracha. Bracha made lovely suvganiots.



Omer, Jaffa and Roni

Chanuka in Chazor

The students brought a lot of joy with them and we sang a lot of Chanukah songs, and shared stories together. The students expressed their appreciation of being part of this project. Bracha, Ruchama and Jaffa thanked the students for their visits.

For Mina who was not able to come, the students brought suvganiots and others that was on the table to her. She was so happy.


Roy reparing at Mina house


Mina was so happy with the new lamp

Roy also painted and restored some wholes in her walls and I fixed her lamp at the entrance, so she has now a good light when she enters her home. The students represent for Mina real Chanukah light in her home and life.

In those places that we couldn’t have a Chanukah party, and those ones that could not join us, I visited and brought them a Chanukah present from Lechaim. A basket filled with all kind of fresh fruits and a personal blessing.

Much greetings from Jafim, Ela and Anna from Katzrin. Jafim feels a bit better now. He walks every morning 4 km and that gives him a good energy and better health. He misses his son and grandson that live in Minsk. Jossi, Marit and Tsipora from Kibbutz Chukkuk enjoy so much from the students. Chagit felt down and is now living with her daughter, not in the Kibbutz. Because her health is not good, she will probably not return home. We are all very very sorry and pray for recovery and new strength for Chagit. We miss her. The students that visited Chagit are now joining visits at Marit and Jossi.

As you have read in our previous report, students from Meitsar visited Eliram in the hospital, just a day before his operation and celebrated his birthday. Eliram is still in the hospital, recovering from his operation. It goes with ups and downs with him. We all pray that he will return home very soon.

Also, Chana from Rosh Pina is in revalidation after her hip operation. Rachel from Rosh Pina was so happy to see me and had so much joy from the Chanukah wishes. Rachel is not feeling good and it is hard for her to receive students on a regular basis. She feels sad about it, because she loves them so much.

Rivka with Yuval Oded and Yotam

In Neot we have a new shoa victor. That is Rivka, 97 years old and from the very first visit she felt in love with the students and the students with her. Yotam: “Rivka has good hearing and talking skills, she wants us to come every week. We had amazing time with her”.

Chag Sameach,
Timek

United hearts in unity

24 october 2019, 26 Cheshvan 5780

Shalom dear Friends,

Now as the Jewish Holidays are behind us, we are ready to have our students begin their first visits of the year this Monday. In preparation for this, two days ago, Shir and I, visited the students in the Mechina Program of Bar Am, located in the Northern part of Israel, next to Tzfat. Together, we met the group of the students that are going to work with our dear survivors in Tzfat.

We came exactly at 2:30pm and the students were already waiting for us in the classroom, glowing with excitement to hear about our program from Shir, our devoted teammate that is maintaining the the branches of L'Chaim in Tzfat and Modi'in in such a beautiful way. She told the students about how she originally became acquainted with L'Chaim five years ago, as she was herself was then a student in the Mechina of Ma'ayan Baruch.


She told them how touching it was to meet with us and to see how we were so dedicated to the great model of bringing new hope to the Survivors and turn them from "Victims" to "Victors." She told the students how she followed up with our project when she became a soldier. In the army, she made a lot of friends and many of them were enthusiastic to join our project as well.

The most special part of that meeting for me was to listen to Shir and to see how she greatly understood the vision of our work and how she, now as a young lady, can bring about change to the hearts of so many other young people throughout our country. By the end of the meeting, the students were very enthusiastic to begin the project.
I didn't have to say anything to the students - I was able to just sit back and listened with pleasure to every word that Shir spoke straight out of her soul.

I want to share one thing that was especially touching to my heart. Shir told me that as she was calling the Holocaust survivors after she came back with her boyfriend from abroad, they surprised her by saying that they have been receiving visits periodically from former students that they had met 2, 3, and 4 years ago. These young men and women are not only still keeping in touch with them and spending time with them, but sometimes they even bring their whole family for the visits - mother, father, sister, and brother. I couldn't' believe my ears - I felt much pride and joy in these words.

After the meeting at the Mechina, I came back to my home in Zichron and Shir went back to hers in Modi'in.
The biggest surprise happened the next day - Shir left me a message that she had had the opportunity to meet the new students in Modi'in who were considering to volunteer with our project in that location.
She had expected about 6 students to sign up, but was overwhelmed with joy that in fact 29 students enlisted to join our project to support our "Winners" in Modi'in!

I want to take this opportunity to say thank you so much to a special donor in Holland - an elderly woman who so generously gave 2000 euro because she feels such a strong connection to the work that we are doing.
At this time, I would like to express appreciation to all the donors from Norway, Singapore, the US, Canada, and Israel that have and continue to be so dedicated to the work of L'Chaim.

I know that they all give completely from the heart. I want to thank Hashem who provides us with the privilege to do our holy work that connects the young heart with the elderly heart, as the Tenach commands us, "Return Sons to Fathers and Fathers to Sons."

We are happy and proud to approach our 16th year of the existence of L'Chaim Project.
Thanks to all of you - students, friends in Israel and abroad, and all the people taking part in the L'Chaim Project.

Baruch Hshem, thanks Gd. With Gd's will we will send out our beautiful report with action and photos after the students' first visits.

Shabbat Shalom!

Sincerely,
Daniel

Leah's Visits with Anna and Jafim

Oktober 31, 2019, Cheshvan 2, 5780

On Monday I had the opportunity to bring four students from Mechina Meitzar in the Southern Golan to visit two of our "Victors" in Katzrin, Anna and Jafim. The students seemed very enthusiastic to begin their volunteer project and get meet the people whom they would be visiting weekly throughout the year. Anna was very happy and welcoming. She had just recovered from a leg and eye infection, but she was still in good spirits and happy to get to know the students. They spoke about their families (including their pets) and where they are from. Then Anna told them all about her life and where she has worked. They spoke about their families (including their pets) and where they are from. Then Anna told them all about her life and where she has worked. She has worked with children of all ages. With a twinkle in her eye, she told them how much she enjoyed catching the students in her school who were cheating on examinations and ensuring that the students understood the importance of honesty. We took a picture together and left with good feelings and enthusiasm to continue with the visits.

Next we went to the apartment of Jafim. Unfortunately, Jafim is in poor health and lives alone and has difficulty keeping his apartment in good order. The students were understanding and want to help him. When we entered the apartment, he was watching a very funny music video. The students sat down and started bopping with him to the music. It was a good bonding moment. After a few minutes he turned off the video and he proceeded to tell the students about his experience in the Holocaust and his life after the war ended. He also spoke about his family. The students seemed moved by their time with him and look forward to visiting him during the year and hopefully helping him better organize his living space.

Yonatan's Visit with Eli and Shalom - "I went to visit Eli, a survivor of the Shoah, for the first time on Monday. He immediately invited me into his home and offered me something to drink. Slowly, we became acquainted with each other and spoke about our respective families. I showed him a photo of my family and described who everyone was and how they are related to me. Then I told him that next week, another student from the Mechina, Rotem, will join me in our visit.
After a few minutes, he told me about his family, about what his life was like in the Holocaust and in the concentration camp, and how he immigrated to Israel after the war and was drafted into the a special military unit under the famous commander "Gandhi*"* at an older age. He spoke to me about what was important in life to him - deep friendships, not getting taken advantage of, and how to get promoted to higher places. We agreed that despite the age gap, there is a good connection between us, warmth, and a friendly spirit, and that we will continue the visits. At the end of the visit, Eli's son called and since it was time for me to leave, I prepared to go. I tried to wash the drinking glass I had used, but Eli insisted on cleaning it himself. Eli accompanied me to the door."

The First Visits of the Mechinot with Joy and Light

Oktober 31, 2019, Cheshvan 2, 5780

Dear Friends of "LeChaim,"

We experienced an exciting start of the new season as our students had the opportunity to finally meet with the Shoah "Victors" this week. The enthusiasm of the students and our "Victors" was overwhelming and beautiful for me to witness.

Kick-off Event at the Community Center in Kiryat Shmona And Follow Up Visits

I picked up the "Victors" in my minibus and brought them to the Community Center in Kiryat Shmona where we met the students from the Mechina Ma'ayan Baruch. Klara, the leader of our "Winners" in Kiryat Shmona, had already set the tables for our introductory meeting. The students mixed with the elderly men and women. There was an instant atmosphere of connection, almost as though everyone had known each other for a long time. You can see the smiles on participants' faces below.

Kick-off party in Kiryat Shmona

Students and Victors in Kyriat Shmona

Ludmila with Roy


Kick-off party in Kiryat Shmona

The next day we began the regular visits at the "Victor's" homes. Below is a picture of the students Roni and Yuval at the home of Bracha. Yuval actually called me during the visit to share excitedly; "we are enjoying [this visit] so much, it is really excellent to experience this."


Bracha with Roni Roy and Yuval

Another group of students visited Steve and Rachel in Kibbutz Neot-Mordechai. You can see in the photo below the joy on everyone's faces.


Steve with Oded Yotam Emily and Yuval.
Oded, Yotam, Emily and Yuval (from right to left)

And here are the same students with Rachel. The expression on Rachel's face says it all.


Rachel with Yuval Emily Oded and Yotam

First meeting in Hatzor

The next day I went with the students of the Mechina Kfar Hanasi to the homes of our "Victors" in Hatzor HaGlilit. Some of the students already chose with whom they wanted to visit because they had received an introduction to the program by volunteers from last year. We met at the Central Bus station in Hatzor and we went from house to house of our "Victors." Each time two of the students stayed in one of the "Victors' " homes.

Here we are with Bracha. Vered (most left) and Itai (behind Bracha) knew that Bracha is a perfect match for them! They stayed with her because of a special connection that they have with one of her children in Beer Sheva. After the visit, Itai and Vered were so excited and told me how they love to be with Bracha and will visit her every week.


At Bracha Itai and Vered stay at Bracha.jpg

Here at Ruchama's home, Ofri and Mika (on the right) chose to visit with Ruchama. After the visit, I asked them, "Do you want to remain partnered with Ruchama?" Their answer was, "For sure we will stay with her!"

At Ruchama - Ofri and Mika on the left stay with Ruchama

Next, we went to visit Mina. Unfortunately, Mina is not in good health. She is currently is in the middle of chemotherapy. The results from a recent PET scan are worrisome. However, Mina is a fighter and will not easily succumb to her illness. Mina has had many other difficulties in her life and she has developed a bitter outlook. She believes that everybody is her enemy and is out to "get" her. It is difficult to gain and keep her trust. I warned the students that whoever will choose to partner with Mina will have not an easy job, but at the end, he/she will have the opportunity for great satisfaction. This was how the previous students Ophre and Bar felt when they finished their year volunteering with Mina. In fact, they still keep in contact with her. Roy and Vered heard from Bar about Mina's situation and even before their visit wanted to take on this challenge. After the visit, I asked them how they felt about continuing with Mina. Their faces showed sorrow and sadness, but they told me that they will not give up. I feel that this is a very brave decision and I wish them all great wisdom and strength. Below is a picture of the visit with Roy and Vered (sitting just to the left of Mina) and Mina.


At Mina - Vered and Roy most left stay with Mina

Ginosar and Chukuk

While I was in Hatzor, Brigitte, a coordinator in the kibbutz of Ginosar, introduced the students from Mechina Meitsar to "Victors" Eliram and Batya who reside in Ginosar. Batya just returned from the hospital, so the youngsters couldn't stay for long. Eliram fully enjoyed the visit as you can see in the picture below.


EliRam with Shachar and other students from Meitsar

Ruben, the coordinator of Kibbutz Hukuk, introduced the students to the "Victors" Marit, Yossi, and Chagit who reside there. Chagit is new to our program and she needs to decide if she will want to continue with the students.

I was so pleased with how dedicated this entire group of students are to our project and I am optimistic that this year will bring great joy and satisfaction for both the students and the elderly.

Thank you for joining us in this heart to heart project,
From the Entire Team of LeChaim - Timik, Shir, Shuki, Leah, Natan, and Daniel. We wish you all a good year.

Shabbat Shalom.

--
Daniel Braun
E-mail: danielxrw@gmail.com
Phone: + 972 54 772 3510
Welcome to our website at: lechaim2life.org.il

Happy new year

Oktober 6, 2019, Tishrei 7, 5780

Now a word for my co-worker Timick...

Shalom Dear Friends,

It was a joy to visit all of our Shoah "victors" in their tiny apartments and hear how they are doing and to bring them a gift and food for the High Holidays. Directly after Rosh HaShanah, Daniel and I visited three "Mechinot" (military preparation academy) where we introduced the project of "Lechaim." Some of the students there will start volunteering with our organization during their upcoming academic year. The vision of "Lechaim" that Daniel shared with the students was well received. As you can see in the photograph below, it was a great joy to see so many Israeli youth enthusiastic to be involved in this project. Soon we will start with the first visits. We await this day with excitement.


Daniel speaking with the students of Meitsar Mechina

I have been also visiting with the the Shoah "victors" during the summer months when the students are on vacation. As you can see below, we are enjoying the company of one another while awaiting the arrival of the students. Each time I meet with the "victors," they ask me "when do they (the students) come to visit me?"


Timek with Jafim out of Katzrin

I would now like to share with you a special story from my first meeting with a new Shoah "victor" named Sara. I was asked if it would be possible for Mechina students from Kfar Hanasi to visit a new "victor," Sara, who lives in a nursing home in that kibbutz. In order to meet Sara myself, I first tried to contact her daughter, whose number I was given. I was unable to reach her after several attempts, so I decided to just walk into the nursing home and ask for a woman named Sara at the reception desk. When I did so, the secretary said, "yes she is here," and pointed to a lady sitting right next to the her desk. I turned to Sara and introduced myself. She looked at me with suspicion and asked in a defensive way, "Who sent you to me and what do you want from me?" I thought, maybe this is not the right Sara that I was meant to visit, but I proceeded to explain to her that I didn't need anything from her; only that I just wanted to visit with her and talk with her for a few minutes. Next, what Sara told me was sad and shocking; "I don't belong here! I don't belong anywhere in this world! I am meant to lay down 6 feet under the ground!" Then she asked me "how old do you think that I am?" I replied, "you look to me like someone in their mid 80's." She started to laugh and replied, "I am 96 year old!" WOW. I would never have given her that age. Sara is a nice looking elderly lady. Then what I noticed is that Sara speaks English with a heavy American accident, and doesn't seem to speak Hebrew. Sara explained to me that she doesn't follow the activities of the home because she doesn't understand the workers and they don't understand her. I am guessing that because of a language barrier she can't integrate and feels useless there and unhappy. I don't know yet if this is really the case. I asked her about her life. Sara told me that she is from Brooklyn, she had a good life with her husband, and they traveled all over the world together. She was very satisfied in her life in the past, but her situation now, living in Israel without speaking Hebrew, is very difficult for her to accept and to deal with. She is very sensitive and her thinking is acute. At the end of our visit, Sara was happy that I came for a talk with her. She gave me a strong hand, looked at me straight into my eyes, and said, "come and visit me again!"

I wish you a meaningful Yom Kippur day and a Chag Sameach!
Timek