Peek inside a busy Yad Sarah branch in the heart of a bustling hospital just outside Tel Aviv and see what it takes for volunteers to put their best feet forward when helping individuals dealing with serious needs.

Since the opening of the branch, the demand for Yad Sarah's services has steadily increased, and every month it assists hundreds of hospitalized and newly-discharged patients and their family caregivers.

Yad Sarah interviewed branch manager Shimon Peresiko to find out more.

YS: HI SHIMON, THANK YOU FOR MEETING WITH US! CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR HISTORY WITH YAD SARAH?

SHIMON: I’m a lawyer by training, but as I approached retirement, I was looking for a place that would allow me to give back. I was thrilled that Yad Sarah offered me the opportunity to manage the branch, which was in its infancy. I cannot think of a better place to channel my energy and passion for helping others during retirement. The experience of giving fills me with great satisfaction and true meaning in my life.

I am proud to see how the branch has grown. Due to increasing demand, we have extended operating hours and hope to continue providing more assistance, especially on weekends.

YS: IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS THE GREATEST ASSET OF THE SHAMIR MEDICAL CENTER BRANCH?

SHIMON: Being located within a medical center is an obvious advantage, but I think our greatest asset is our empathy. Often, customers arrive agitated and overwhelmed after having just received difficult news.

They expect us to be there not only with solutions, but with an open heart. My role requires much attention on the human side — understanding the needs and challenges of families and patients. That is something special about the people who work at Yad Sarah: we enter with a passion to support those in need and make transitions easier.

Our branch provides medical and rehabilitation equipment, with an emphasis on rehabilitation. Additionally, we offer a wide range of Yad Sarah services to patients and their families, including transportation for the mobility-impaired, legal advice, support for family caregivers, and various other services tailored to each individual's needs.

YS: DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OF A TIME YOU FELT INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THE SERVICE YOU PROVIDED?

SHIMON: Once, after I finished my shift and had already closed the branch, I heard a sudden knocking on the window. I saw a young man who seemed distressed. His wife was currently in labor and felt a lot of anxiety. She thought she would feel calmer with a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) unit — a machine that changes the perception of pain and stimulates the body to release endorphins.

I opened the branch and quickly provided the device for them. At that moment, I felt a fantastic sense of satisfaction in being there for them at the right time. Later, the couple came with their baby to the branch to personally thank me, a gesture that warmed my heart and reminded me of the impact I make as a volunteer with Yad Sarah.

YS: DO MOST CLIENTS COME FROM THE TEL AVIV AREA? WHERE THE HOSPITAL IS LOCATED?

SHIMON: Not at all! Because the Shamir Medical Center is so renowned, people come from across the country to be treated here. Recently, an Arab man from Nazareth, in the north, came all the way here to receive orthopedic surgery on his leg after a motorcycle accident. He came into the branch to borrow a wheelchair, and we presented him with several options. He was so happy with our service that he gave us a large donation! We were also glad to hear that he knew of Yad Sarah and considered our services “holy work.”

YS: WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONVEY TO OUR READERS ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YAD SARAH?

SHIMON: Volunteering with Yad Sarah means joining a warm, embracing family of volunteers. Volunteering comes with numerous benefits, such as a stronger sense of belonging to the community and a warm and proud feeling of improving other people’s lives. I could not have gained these unique and special relationships and moments had I not chosen to begin volunteering with Yad Sarah. Thankfully, our branch has managed to recruit a high-quality volunteer team that wholeheartedly provides services to every visitor. Each one contributes to the pleasant atmosphere at the branch and the collaboration among volunteers.

We are always open to welcoming more volunteers that would support us in this vision.