A PRECIOUS LIFELINE
I was a father to the poor, and I searched out the case that I did not know.
Job 29:16
We recently became acquainted with Miriam*, a mother of 11 children who lost her husband Moshik*, a few months ago. Moshik passed away after a long battle with COVID-19.
Miriam and Moshik made Aliyah to Israel a few years ago. It was their dream to come and live here in the Land and they had been planning to move for years. However, it was not a simple decision. Emigrating to Israel with 11 children was difficult, and the transition was complicated for the kids. Learning a new language and getting a job in a new place was not easy, but it was the only way to provide for their big family. Moshik switched professions and became a manual laborer, refurbishing and renovating homes. He worked on the side as a taxi driver.
Since Moshik’s passing, Miriam is left as a widow and a single mother to her 11 children, a position that would be difficult for anyone to endure. Her 22-year-old eldest son got married a few months ago, and now he and his wife live with her. He is not working and is receiving unemployment payments. The youngest daughter is 4 years old.
Moshik was the main breadwinner. Since he passed, the family has relied on friends to sporadically help them with the cooking, but their troubles are bigger than that. They need help in the long run. Miriam has been working as a taxi driver until they find more permanent assistance. The job’s flexible hours allow her to bring in a little bit of income for the family.
The recent conflict in the south has brought more burdens and challenges into her life. With the rockets falling in their neighborhood non-stop, Miriam had to remain close to home for two weeks. This tragedy not only created fear and suffering, but it also prevented her from earning money driving her taxi.
Miriam is a very diligent person and she works hard, but despite her efforts, her income is still very low. She approached us to seek financial support to pay the rent, utility bills, as well as help to buy food, clothes, and pay for the children’s educational programs. The last 15 months have been the greatest challenge in her life. Her situation came to our attention and we knew that VFI had to find ways to assist her.
Vision for Israel is supporting the family financially, providing household essentials, and giving the children the school supplies that they need. We are in touch with the family, and check in frequently to see if they need anything beyond what we have been giving so far.
*Names have been changed
