WORD JERUSALEM
Mar/Apr 2004 - International Christian Embassy Jerusalem
Mar/Apr 2004 - International Christian Embassy Jerusalem
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Social Assistance Program<br />
WINTER<br />
In Tunisia not long ago, anti-Semitism<br />
spawned a terrorist attack in which a Jewish<br />
man was blinded, irrevocably changing his<br />
life at the age of 60. David decided to leave<br />
his hostile land and immigrate to Israel with<br />
his elderly mother. Winter arrived soon after<br />
they did, and in their new apartment building<br />
heating is sparse, coming on for only a few<br />
hours in the evening. Because of their health<br />
problems both David and his mother are housebound,<br />
making the days long and cold. This is<br />
the painful story of only one of several families<br />
that an Israeli Absorption Center recently<br />
referred to the ICEJ’s Social Assistance program,<br />
asking for urgently needed heaters.<br />
A single Jewish man moved to Israel alone<br />
several months ago with little money. After he<br />
arrived, he was diagnosed with a debilitating<br />
sickness that will eventually severely restrict his<br />
mobility. Already he can hardly move his fingers.<br />
The cold worsens his situation. Before he<br />
received a heater from our Social Assistance<br />
department, there were days that he would<br />
wake up partially paralysed from the cold. From<br />
his point of view, the heater we gave him is life<br />
saving. Although his physical condition is deteriorating,<br />
the warmth brings welcome comfort<br />
and impedes the progression of this disease.<br />
SPREADING WARMTH<br />
From the northern Golan Heights to the southern<br />
Negev, on the coastal plains and within<br />
Jerusalem, the winter requests have poured in<br />
to SAP. Thanks to those who gave, families with<br />
little children and those with very elderly members<br />
received warmth this winter.<br />
Seasons Of<br />
Need<br />
“You have warmed hearts as well as bodies”,<br />
said a community worker in the Galilee, home to<br />
dozens of new immigrants where many needy<br />
families received heaters and blankets.<br />
“It is with great pleasure that I would like to<br />
thank all of you for your kind donation to buy<br />
blankets for needy families in Dimona. Your<br />
kindness and willingness to give has brought a<br />
- 12 -