Ruth talking to the young soldiers
December 6, 2013, Tewet 3, 5774
Haifa:
Rachmill and Aliza
Ruth talking to the young soldiers
The whole group
For these soldiers, it was the first time of meeting survivors and hears their
stories.
November 29, 2013, Kislev 26, 5774
Tonight (Wednesday), we are celebrating the first candle of Chanukah. This holiday, symbolize our nation, the wonderful miracles which has done always, by the All mighty.
The amazing fact is, that it reefers the few as the winners: modesty and limited
quantity, but with quality. Our G-d show us, that even being few on the wars
for the All mighty, our victories, were beyond nature, common sense or human
sense.
We know the power of little oil tin which gave light for eight days. We know
that a little candle can lit the dark.
For me, my friends! Candle lights are, as our amazing volunteers, which are
doing their mission along the year , the light express their human love and
lightning exhausted elderly, with grace which lightning bodies and minds.
Reality is not simple these days. Neither politically, diplomatically, culturally
and spiritually. Within rampant chaos, wild materialism there is boys and girls
who come to those remote and abandoned places in our country, week after week,
devotedly, light candle of the survivor's souls by magnificent realization.
This gathering is a holy act of illuminating and warming those neglected areas.
A little smile of hope, of giving, listening and helping. Thes is the essence
and glory of humanity which those volunteers do in an outstanding way. I would
call it a drizzling rain of the Holy Spirit.
After nine active years, the miracle happens weekly. A little organization,
without any offices, with a very few paid positions, without sophisticated Web,
T.V. or festivals, our activities continue inside the people hearts! Accurate
constant work and sustained. We experience the soul of the elderly, their body
pains, their ageing, loneliness and turning to be needy. By being loyal to our
vision, to go with them till the end, and do it with sensitivity (mainly with
survivors) and caring . Try to imagine the strength and light it gives them
I am very proud in each of our volunteers who understand Lechaim's vision .
I cherish our donors abroad , mainly the one's who go hand by hand with us and
not abandon or leave us knowing that we are a little organization and any help
make our holy work possible.
I feel very privileged, and proud to know you, because, besides donating money
you feel, understand and experiencing the power of the spiritual and practice
love we give in this project. More than all, I want to thank to the All mighty,
G-d of Israel and the universe, which blesses our project and bring abundance,
light and glow.
Here in Israel I chant and sing:" Am Israel chai vekyam!" (Israel nation live
and alive).
Daniel Braun
Pardes Channa:
Our celebrations for Chanukah had started yesterday night (Wednesday), with
our youngster volunteers from Neve Michael (school for children's on risk).
We took them for a first reunion with other new volunteers to listen and speak
about their experience. We lit candles and greeted them for the holiday. Today
(Thursday), in the afternoon, R. Shachar, with three beautiful young ladies,
who came to listen, speak and hear first hand stories from our survivors. They
were accepted warmly with full of cooperation. Between them, was Sivan (R.Shachar
daughter). They brought a lot of happiness and big smiles (see pictures). Here
are their impressions:
It was so interesting to listen and study their stories. It gives us a lot of
joy and strength. We met very special and amazing survivors. It's very sad to
realize how hard their lives right now. For us, to lit their face was a great
opportunity. Thank you for the very special experience we had here. Sivan, Talia
and Achienoam.
Sivan, Talia and Achinoam
Ruth with the girls
Sivan with Aliza
Rachmill lighting the Chanoukacandles
Enjoying the joy around Chanouka
Sivan, Talia and Achinoam at Benyamin's
Benyamin and Achinoam
On the round of my Telephones to our survivors, at Klara's house I had the answer
from her daughter, and she told me that klara passed away! Her funeral was yesterday,
and they sit Shivah! She was a real warm and loving person. She loved us and
never let us go, when we had to go. We will miss her very much. She had a real
lighted soul!
May her memory be blessed.
Happy Chanukah! to our volunteers, Amutat "Lechaim", and our supporters, from
the world. You make it possible, giving our survivors to live a better life
at the old part of their lives.
Thank you!
Rivka
Haifa:
The boys came to the survivors who they know already and waiting and longing
for their visit . This time, they helped Tova, to get reed from an old sofa
which she
didn't have any body to take it out from her house. They also brought
her a present for the holiday and got to know her.
All the survivors got from "Lechaim" menorah and candles for the whole holiday.
They were very excited getting this for Chanukah.
Best wishes for Chanukah and many thanks for "Lechaim" and the good cooperation
in favor of our holocaust survivors.
Tova from Haifa with the boys in front of her house
Riki Evron
B”H
Shalom to all!
Another fine visit to our good friends in Haifa. We brought Menorahs and
candles along with our smiles and other goodies. Chanukah is here and the boys
were like shining lights brightening up the survivor’s day.
“Each time we visit, I learn something new about our past. It’s
hard for me to believe that people could treat other people like that.”
Jeremy pointed out.“Yeah, it’s one thing reading or watching a movie
about it, but it’s another when I hear first hand…it’s makes
me angry.” Was an emotional response by Eli. This was a snippet from a
lively discussion the boys had at lunch after finishing their visits. In the
end they felt that what they were doing was very important to them and they
would never forget these visits.
Rikki had a job for the boys. Move a sofa down stairs from
one the survivor’s apartment. Tova was grateful to have these strong young
men effortlessly move the heavy couch from her apartment. She was beaming with
pride! They boys felt the appreciation and were delighted to be able to do it.
Chaim reported once again on his visit: "My partner and I left
the bus and headed into the building where our survivor was located. When we
reached the third floor door and knocked, my partner and I waited with the gifts
until the door opened. It did quite quickly, and our survivor, Ya'akov was smiling.
He opened the door wide and we entered and presented him with his gifts of food
and menorah. Ya'akov lives in a respectable, medium-sized apartment. It is quite
airy and has a nice view of the Haifa waterfront, shipyards, and city in-between
his house and the waterfront. He was very mobile and went to get us some water,
which he insisted on doing. He was very talkative throughout the visit, and
mentioned that he likes to watch films of Nazis getting massacred and he mentioned
that “Inglorious Bastards” was one of his favorite movies, due to
the fact that Hitler dies at the end. We talked about what he does during the
week, which amounts to basically nothing other than going to Beit Kenesset,
watching TV, reading, and going to various doctor appointments. Then we talked
about Chanukah and then he showed us beautiful menorah, which was passed down
for over three generations. He wasn't so sure how old it was, but he was sure
it was older than eighty years.
Before we knew it, it was time to leave, and he accepted the fact that we had
to go see another person in a similar condition to his – living alone,
old, and quite bored. We bid him farewell, shook hands, wished him a happy Chanukah,
Shabbat, and Week, and left. all in all, Ya'akov was very full of energy and
spirit, and engaged us both in an interesting conversation. He always looks
forward to seeing us, as do we him.
Now, a little on Chanukkah…
As you may or may not know but Hanukah means rededicate. I like to think
that for our little group we are like Hanukah. Why because we are eight guys
and each young man is like a Hanukkah candle. As you can see for yourself how
much light these young men bring to the world. And they are just getting started.
Each young man carried a special light inside them that shines out the world.
How many young men do you know that do what they do? They represent the rededication
of our Nation, just like in the days of old. Our survivors were under great
oppression with little and no hope. Yet just like the miracles that happend
back in those days. We clearly see the miracles happening today! So when light
your menorah or if you are not Jewish or you happen to see one, Think of how
you the supporter, along with Daniel and the boys, are bringing a great light
to the world and that we are in the process of rededicating the great
Nation of Israel!
Happy Channkah,
Avraham.
News from the North:
Ginosar:
Every week, the students from Maitzar, visit the survivors in their homes. They
already built up, good relationships, and they wait for them and
cherish these special moments.
Eden and Sharon visit Eliram and Eirit. They
speak, laugh, and try to get know each other.
See also pictures below of Zelma and EliRam.
Eliram
Zelma
Chava, is over 90 years old and became recently very weak .
She gets help from a nurse, who take care of her around the clock. It is pity,
that she can't receive students anymore.
Kiryat Shmona:
Eliahu enjoyed the last week visit, very much. The students,
brings joy and smile into his life and his house.
Also Neli, Ina and Rina enjoy the visit. They tell a bit about
their lives to the students.
Tamara, is recovering from her operation. Her wounds in the
lags, doesn't heal and she have a lot of pains. She replaced her wheelchair,
by a walker.
She still can't leave her house.
Katzrin:
Shlomo, is so happy with the students. It is hard to leave
his house. he tell a lot of special stories. His heart, burning to tell what
happened to him during the Shoa. Talja, was so happy
that her sick body allowed her, to receive the students. She told her visitors
a lot, and we had fun together.
Rosa, was very sick and she is getting worse. We couldn't visit
her. Shaul, loves the students who are interested in his life and in his stories.
Tiberias:
Fanja's husband passed away and now she is more lonely than before. She loves
when I come and bring her a smile and a healthy package of food, and a present
for Chanukah. She knows, that she is not alone! Somebody care for her.
That, gives her strength to go on with her life.
Shalom,
Timek
This is our report for these days of Chanuka.
Best regards,
Rivka
E-mail: danielbraun.lechaimtolife@gmail.com
Phone: + 972 54 772 3510
Welcome to our website at: www.lechaimtolife.org