Bikur V'Ezras Cholim

ISRAELBikur V'Ezras Cholim3 Ohel YehoshuaPOB 6368, Jerusalem

Telephone: 02-538-1840

UNITED STATESBikur V'Ezras Cholim1369 45th StreetBrooklyn, NY 11219

Telephone: 1-347-623-0962

w w w. h e l p g e t w e l l . c o m Bikur V'Ezras Cholim

Like a bridge overtroubled water

I will lay me down...

Dedicated to those who are always alone

01

If you need a friend…I'm sailing right behindyou… Lean on me…

When serious illness strikes, the world just stops.The first thing to hit is a paralyzing fear. Terror of the unknownmixes toxically with the sheer astonishment and disbelief thatlife, as one knew it, is over. The blow is astounding.

But a second trauma, often as hard to take as the initial shock,follows:

As huge as the ailment looms for the patient and his family,it is no big deal for anyone else. For people in the medicalprofession, do-or-die situations are everyday matters of fact. And, yes, of profit, too.

Ironically, the very system that avails help to all is also a greatequalizer that makes everyone equally insignificant.

The most urgent need, at that oh so needy moment, is someoneone can trust implicitly.

This is when we meet

With Bikur V'Ezras Cholim's wide network of contacts in themedical profession and establishment, our first duty is guidance. We gently take the dazed families by the hand and steer themtowards the best medical solutions and professionals available.

Sometimes it's remote experts in high places. At other timesit can be specializing surgical centers abroad.

We provide the knowledge.

We initiate the contact.

And then we provide whatever means it takes to make ithappen.

We're meant to be used. There's nothing we, atBikur V'Ezras Cholim, like more than having ourservices thoroughly taken advantage of.

03

When darkness comes…I will ease your mind…

"The way we see it, we're the family members who careenough to provide the support - and are sufficientlyemotionally detached to be able to do it with unfailingefficiency. All we 'require' from them is to get well…"

One of the typical burdens of catastrophic illness, ,is theendless number of details that must be dealt with - on time,every time, all the time.

To assist with the care, Bikur V'Ezras Cholim providescomprehensive 'case management' to free up the mentalreserves of patients and their families. They have enough tocontend with as it is.

And so, an experienced volunteer will take all the informationand prepare a fully workable case scenario.

Assignments and 'to-do' lists are drawn up and directives foraction are given out to other volunteers. Contacts with doctorsand labs are made. Appointments are set and, if need be,transportation is arranged, too.

All paperwork, of course, is organized to perfection.

No time is wasted on assessments. 'Zero-coping capability'on part of the family is assumed and Bikur V'Ezras Cholimjust takes them on their wings.

We provide cool minds and nimble expertise to make surethat all that needs to be done actually gets done when it needsto get done.

And it's all for free.

05

When eveningfalls so hard…I will comfort you…

No one should be left alone. Ever.

Families sit with their loved ones for hours…days…weeks…sometimesfor months. The tender love and care they provide are crucial for apatient's recovery.

Unfortunately, that is not always possible.

Some patients, especially older people, have no families at all.

But even for patients with family, life cannot stop for anyone. Familymembers must contend with far more than attending to their ailingrelatives.

Often there are children and other family members who needunflagging support and care, too. Even more 'mundane' issues,especially during a lengthy health struggle, must be attended toeventually.

And aside from all that, family members need a break every now andthen (which they all too often neglect to take).

…But the ill and infirm still need solace at all times.

And that need for loving company becomes that much more urgentduring traditional family times: Shabbos evenings…Holidays…PassoverSeder…Chanukah candle-lighting...and even "just" birthdays.

That is why we're there: men and women volunteers of all agesschedule sitting times with families to provide the sick and the infirmwith company when they need it most.

And we also have specialty groups.

You see, some people are naturally jolly. Others can play an instrumentor tell jokes that will make your sides split. We make it our businessto spot them. These are the kind of people who make up BikurV'Ezras Cholim's Entertainment Squads.

The 'Happiness Volunteers' leave their own homes precisely whenmost families get together. They drop everything in their privatelives and travel to various hospitals around the country. Followinga precise list, they trek through the sick wards, spreading light andhappiness wherever they go.

'Happy' heals. It truly does.

07

"When sitting with the children, you change forever.You become a far greater human being. Nothing canmake you bigger than by giving. We each take thistreasure with us for the rest of our lives."

And some big people for some smallones

More than anyone else in the family, sick children present aspecial challenge. They need continuous, consistent attentionand care. Fears must be calmed. Tender, fragile psyches mustbe supported during unbelievably challenging hours. Parentscan only do so much.

As much as they selflessly alternate day-night shifts to alwaysbe there for their child, sometimes they must spend timeaway.

A special cadre of men, women, and teenage seminary girlsby the dozen make up our unique 'Children's Brigade'.

Each of the volunteers is assigned one child. The volunteersspend the days - and sometimes the nights, too - by theircharges' bedsides. They stay countless hours in the hospital,playing with the children, reading stories to them and listening. They do a lot of listening.

They get to know the children so well, they become a part ofthe family in a very real sense. It is by far the most difficultvolunteer work there is, especially if the children, , do notrecover.

Families emotionally tell of the impact of the 'Children Brigade'. How it saved their children. How it saved their families.And how it saved their very sanity while bestowing kindnessthat can never be returned.

But the members of the 'Children Brigade' disagree.

09

11

When you'reon the street…so far away…

All thoughts are in the hospital - but whatabout getting there?

It is easy to forget about how tiring it is for the sick and familymembers to travel.

Patients must make it to and from appointments, often at odd hours. Family members travel to and from the hospitals. Sometimes theymust visit in shifts - that means traveling to and from hospitals twiceor three times a day!

Travel is a transparent factor but that doesn't make it any less real.All the major hospital centers in Jerusalem are situated on theperiphery, far away from the center of town. This, and Jerusalem'ssprawling geography, make transportation a huge drain on families'pockets and stamina.

And now a single phone call makes it allgo away.

People in Jerusalem can now make transportation issues a non-factorsimply by calling the Bikur V'Ezras Cholim free Chessed Line.

To answer the lack of reliable transportation to and from hospitals,Bikur V'Ezras Cholim now operates organized trips throughout theday.

On average, the scheduled service transports over 5,400 individualseach month, 64,800 rides a year. The savings to a family can be upto 1,200 NIS a month!

And then some

In addition to the organized trips, over 130 Bikur V'Ezras Cholimvolunteers use their own private cars to drive patients and familymembers to and from specialists for 'after hours' visits.

The service is door to door. And it's all fare freefor the patient or any other travelers.

In emergencies 'we do windows'

In cases of public emergencies, such as a terror attack, Bikur V'Ezras Cholim volunteers,in fact, will do far more than wash the windows - They'll do the floors and empty thetrash and run errands, too.

Squads of emergency volunteers spread throughout the various hospitals and put themselvesat the service of hospital staffs.

Our goal is to free the hospital staff to administer care, unburdened by menial tasks thatcan be carried out by quick-witted, responsible helpers.

We ask for no recognition and no awards. We're not proud, nor are we finicky. We workhard and we work for free for as long as we're needed.

When darkness comes…I'll carryyour light…

13

We think about food in times no onecan even think of eating

Bikur V'Ezras Cholim prepares about 350 meals a day. Sandwiches? Oh, around 500, give or take a few. Naturally, everything is givenand everything is taken.

It's exactly because 'who could even think of eating at times likethese?' that we do it.

Parents or spouses spend an inordinate amount of time with theirloved ones in the hospital, but the family at home must still eat. They must have freshly-cooked, warm meals every single day.And it cannot be leftovers either.

The food they eat must be not only nutritious, but delicious, too- not because they care, but because they don't!

'Feel good' food

It is precisely because they couldn't care less what they eat (or ifthey ate at all) that family members must be "protected fromthemselves".

At Bikur V'Ezras Cholim we design meals very carefully. Weevaluate meals for quality and balance to provide both physicaland psychological succor to people under extended stress.

Following a pre-arranged list, the meals are then delivered to familymembers at home as well as in hospitals.

Because cafeteria food can drain tight budgets, hundreds ofsandwiches are prepared and distributed within the hospitalsthemselves. Bikur V'Ezras Cholim Volunteers pass through andjust hand out the food on the ward floors and in emergency rooms.

When you'rehungry…feeling down…

15

You take a look at the eyes of exhausted people as youhand them a warm meal or even just a sandwich. Seethem take a bite and realize, with a start, just how hungrythey really were. Then you understand.

When times getrough…just lookto me…I'm onyour side…

Free Medicines

All people in Israel have mandatory medical insurance. This assurestwo things: that every citizen has access to affordable medicalcare…and that anything that "isn't covered" is exorbitantly expensive. This is especially true when it comes to medicines.

To answer this obvious need, many 'medicinal loan societies' havebeen created. Their blessed activity makes expensive medicinesaffordable to those who need them. One problem, however, doesremain:

The needy must still locate which 'medicine G'machim' have themedication they need - and they still must physically go and getthem. It is never easy and many times it isn't even possible.

This is why there is Bikur V'Ezras Cholim.

When a call comes in, our volunteers open a 'case'. They put togethera list of all the needed medications as well as how much and when- and then set out canvassing all the loan societies, putting 'theorder' together.

Then we bring it to the homes of the sick, as many times as needed.

Loans of mobile phones so families canstay in touch

Mobile phones are part of everyday life…alas so are mobile phonebills!

When a family member is, , ill, the need for essentialcommunication rises sharply. Calling home…calling thehospitals…calling transportation…calling doctors…staying in touch…

Our solution is simple. Bikur V'Ezras Cholim has a free mobilephone service. You borrow the phone, you use it as needed, andyou give it back.

Non-stop contact. No bill.

Medical equipment loans

As part of the basic commitment we make to those who need us'for everything', we also loan medical equipment. It can mean awheel chair, a walker or even a hospital bed.

When we get the call, the complete needs of the patient are assessed. We get any equipment that is necessary. If we don't have it, we'llfind who does, get there, get it, and deliver it. Door to door.

17

Alas, blood IS thicker than water…

The way things are set up in Israel, all blood used for anymedical procedure must be 'returned' or paid for. Familiesare called upon to arrange in advance for all the blood necessaryfor surgeries. Their choice is to either arrange a blood driveof their own or pay. Many can do neither for reasons thatrange from mental and emotional to financial.

This is why Bikur V'Ezras Cholim is here.

We conduct scheduled blood drives throughout the year,making ample deposits in the Israel Central Blood Bank. Therest is simple.

When someone needs blood for any surgical procedure all heor she needs to do is give us a call. The needed blood is'withdrawn' from our account.

When tears are inyour eyes…I will drythem all…

19

No need for private blood drives. No need for scramblingafter funds. No need for another headache while a life-or-death situation might be looming. No hassles.And no fees

When times get rough…And pain is all around...

"In a great sense, it seems like we become a part of thefamily. In our minds ,and our hearts, we always are."

Families of terror victims are stunned.Unable to digest the shock that befell them,they move along in a daze. They don't knowwhat to do, let alone what to do first. Howto get to doctors? Who to speak to? Whereto go?

That is another way Bikur V'Ezras Cholimvolunteers are there.

Hospitals have 'information centers' whereharassed volunteers answer a barrage ofanxious questions with "Please…one personat a time…please!"

We don't do that.

Instead, we assign a liaison volunteer toevery family. His or her job is to accompanythe family during their hardest time - dayand night - and make sure that all theirneeds are met. Nothing more and nothingless.

We make the phone calls…we talk to doctorsand get updates…we act as the go-betweenfor staff and family members (to the palpablerelief of both…)…we bring food…we playwith the children and read them stories…

21

life to the cause.

"I've found my true task in life." Rabbi Fried says simply. "Fewpeople could be happier."

The first activities of the fledgling organization were special'morale-boosting parties' in hospitals around town. Rabbi Friedbrought friends and relatives and the success was immediate.

Next was the establishment of a van service to bring families toand from hospitals. The rest, as they say, is history.

Today, there are over 700 volunteers in Bikur V'Ezras Cholim.Close to 1,000 calls a week are fielded by the organization'spersonnel. Hundreds of patients are 'case managed' at any giventime.

The first thing 20 year-old Rabbi Mordechai Fried did after hegot married in 1997 was to found Bikur V'Ezras Cholim.

The organization grew from young Rabbi Fried's dedication tovisiting the sick and lonely in hospitals and nursing homes whilestill a student in Yeshiva.

"What I noticed immediately", he says, "is that only the bodiesof patients were treated. No one did anything for their spirit andno one even dreamed to try to help their families in any way.Definitely not in any organized way that was designed to answerreal-life needs they have."

Rabbi Fried brought the matter before the Belzer Rebbe whoimmediately instructed him to follow his heart and dedicate his

The organization's kitchens feed over 4,000 families a year.Dedicated vans bring over 45,000 patients and their families toand from hospitals every year - on top of thousands of 'extra-curricular' special trips are made in private cars, that serve patientsand their families at all hours of the night and day.

Close to 100 hard-to-get medications are given to the needywithout charge. Hundreds of blood units are distributed fromthe Bikur V'Ezras Cholim Blood Bank Account every year. Closeto 100 mobile phones are loaned to families every month. Dozensof pieces of medical equipment, from wheelchairs to breastpumps, are delivered, on loan, every single day.

The feeding operations cost $13,000 a month. The current fuelbudget for the transportation service as it is today (a mere quarter

in scope of what it needs to be) amounts to over $15,000 amonth.

"That is just the beginning." Rabbi Fried says. "We're just beginningto answer the needs of the needy."

"Just in Jerusalem alone 15 more 10-passenger vans are needed. We desperately need 4 ambulettes and an ambulance. AndJerusalem has no exclusivity on need either."

"Bikur V'Ezras Cholim fields activities in hospitals all over Israel. Actual full-service branches are already open and operating inB'nai Brak, Ashdod, Haifa, and Bet Shemesh."

"We're building an empire of kindness and care."

23

I will ease your mind

Like a bridge overtroubled water...

Bikur V'Ezras Cholim

ISRAELBikur V'Ezras Cholim3 Ohel YehoshuaPOB 6368, Jerusalem

Telephone: 02-538-1840

UNITED STATESBikur V'Ezras Cholim1369 45th StreetBrooklyn, NY 11219

Telephone: 1-347-623-0962

w w w. h e l p g e t w e l l . c o m Bikur V'Ezras Cholim

Like a bridge overtroubled water

I will lay me down...