Inside Yad Sarah - Fall 2024 Newsletter Is Here
Adele Goldberg, FOYS Executive Director writes, "During this period of darkness in Israel, Yad Sarah—Israel's leading volunteer-based social service organization—is a source of strength and light."
Yad Sarah’s Third Oxygen Center Opens in Ra'anana
Yad Sarah has established a new oxygen center in Ra'anana – an addition to the existing oxygen centers in Jerusalem and Haifa.
Volunteers at the center will refill oxygen cylinders and distribute them to Yad Sarah's nearby branches. There, residents can borrow oxygen cylinders in case of widespread blackouts due to potential strikes on Israel's power grid.
As conflict with Hezbollah continues to rise, so does the need for medical equipment – including oxygen. In a clear display of this need, on the day of a recent Hezbollah attack, the oxygen center in Haifa distributed 193 oxygen cylinders and all available portable oxygen generators.
The oxygen center in Ra'anana will expand these services to Israel's central region. The center is named in honor of Rabbi Yehuda Shmuel and Tzipora Shapira z"l, who dedicated 35 years to volunteering with Yad Sarah.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rabbi Yehuda Shmuel and Tzipora Shapira both worked around the clock at Yad Sarah to provide oxygen tanks to those in need. Now, the oxygen center in Ra'anana will honor their legacy of service and dedication to the people of Israel and continue providing Yad Sarah's life-saving services.
Supporting Families of Hostages Through Their Darkest Times
22-year-old Bar Kupershtein was kidnapped on October 7th while working as a paramedic at the Nova music festival. Since Bar's abduction, Yad Sarah has continued to support his family during this difficult time.
Bar's father, Tal, was injured in an accident in 2019 while on duty as a paramedic with United Hatzalah, and since the accident, Bar has been providing for the family financially. After the accident, Tal relies on a wheelchair to get around. To assist with Tal's transportation needs, Yad Sarah provides wheelchair-accessible vans for medical appointments, transportation to Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, and other important meetings – all at no charge.
In addition to Yad Sarah's transportation services, Tal has also received treatment at no cost from Yad Sarah's mobile dental clinic.
Yaron Aviv, the National Coordinator of Volunteer Drivers at Yad Sarah, arranged for the Kupershtein family to spend a day in Jerusalem and visit Yad Sarah. Bar's parents, grandfather, brothers, and relatives all visited Yad Sarah and thanked Yad Sarah CEO Moshe Cohen for the organization's help.
"I am honored to help care for the Kupershtein family and pray for their son's quick return home," shared Yaron.
At Yad Sarah, we are always here to help families and provide compassionate care during difficult moments.
Yad Sarah's Newest Branch in Action
On July 27th, Hezbollah's rocket attack on the Majdal Shams community killed 12 children and injured at least 44 others. The town is still in shock, and Yad Sarah's new local branch is providing life-saving services to the local community.
At a recent prayer service for the children harmed in the attack, Yad Sarah volunteers attended to pay their respects and connect with the families of the injured to gain a better understanding of rehabilitation needs. In response, Yad Sarah is now supplying additional medical equipment to Ziv Medical Center in Safed, where many injured victims are hospitalized.
"The loss and devastation are immense, but it's making our resolve even stronger," said Mansur Said Ahmad, branch manager of Yad Sarah's Majdal Shams branch.
Yad Sarah extends heartfelt condolences to the Abu Saleh family, whose son Hason was killed in Hezbollah's Majdal Shams attack. Hason's uncle is a dedicated volunteer at the Majdal Shams branch. Our thoughts are with the Abu Saleh family and all other victims of the attack during this difficult time.
