Make haste to Help me!
Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!
Psalm 38:22
Dear Friends,
It's important to keep our minds and hearts open to opportunities to save lives.
God is always asking us to do good.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21
No matter what evil or hardship we are experiencing, we should always look for opportunities to help others and spread God’s love and light to those we meet.
Sometimes, it can be hard to see the opportunities that God presents us with. We are often so busy with our own lives and our own worries that we miss opportunities to do good, even if they are right in front of us.
A few years ago, a director of one of the welfare departments approached us to help a family in serious distress. Her request was clear: the family (parents and four children) will be thrown into the street in a few days.
The mother of the family had served in the police force when she experienced a terror attack. Since then, she developed severe PTSD and had been receiving a disability pension when suddenly, without any notice, the payments stopped. The family had committed to certain payments and suddenly they had no income.
In desperation, the father of the family begged the bank not to close their account and promised to pay the debt that existed there. Meanwhile, no one was listening to him. He was alone in the war against the bank. Eventually, he was told that they will not be able to extend the time for the payment to cover the debt. This time they told him he would have to vacate their little humble apartment.
This man intended to lock up the whole family in the apartment and end the mental suffering the only way he felt he had left.
We realized that this was really about saving human lives.
Vision for Israel gave them significant financial assistance, and the family underwent an economic and emotional rehabilitation process.
Last year, at the bar/bat mitzvah celebration we hosted at the Millennium Center, we met the family. It was such a joy to see them again after a few years—especially as the son now gets to celebrate his bar mitzvah. For us, it was closing a circle to see the family stand on its own two feet after undergoing a healthy process of economic and mental rehabilitation.
These days, we are preparing to bless 50 teenage boys and girls from terror survivor families with a Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebration. This event is extremely important for Jewish young people, but sadly not everyone gets to experience it. The youth we serve have all been through terrible tragedies—whether it be a terror attack, the loss of one or both parents, or something equally horrifying. We believe that God wants these dear ones to enjoy their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, so we do what we can to give them that opportunity.
Vision for Israel is co-sponsoring this special event, which includes gifts and festivities. During this day the children and their families will enjoy breakfast, prayers, and activities at the Western Wall, a festive lunch with entertainment, and wonderful gifts, both modern and traditional. At the end of the day, everyone will meet at the President's house. The total cost of the day's event is about $60,000.
You can make a change!
Our prayer is that you, our partners and friends, see this as an opportunity to get involved. Though there is so much suffering and pain in the world, there will always be the opportunity to spread God’s love. We can choose to focus on what we have lost, or we can choose to focus on the good we can do. Your continued support and sponsorship is a way to make a change in the lives of the next generation.
We hope that you will join us in blessing these dear children.
May the Lord bless and keep you.
Batya and Barry Segal
