I spent the year after high school in Jerusalem, attending Michlalah Jerusalem College. There we were told to do weekly hesed. My first choice was to volunteer at the Sanhedria Children’s Home and I was thrilled when I was accepted. When I walked into the building, I was beyond excited, but as I opened the door to the room I was going to work in every Tuesday, my stomach dropped. There were only boys and they only spoke Hebrew. The sudden feeling of doubt quickly faded when I received a warm greeting from Miriam Braun, the program coordinator, and a warm Shalom from Morah Yael, who organized the weekly activities. I am forever grateful to Sanhedria. Every week I spent there left me more enriched than the previous one.
The boys truly taught me to appreciate all that I have. Although many came from broken homes, some with extreme situations, each time I entered Beit Sanhedria, they were smiling and their smiles taught me that in each situation there is still hope. I also realized that if they could be happy, despite certain shortcomings, I should be happy every day for all that I am blessed with.
One might expect the boys to be troubled, but they’re not, because the people at Beit Sanhedria provide them with so many wonderful things, from a state of the art playground and a large soccer field, to a great number of after school activities. The boys are always busy with something new. Miriam Braun and Morah Yael show love and affection to the boys, treating them as if they are their own children. They have raised so many amazing children, helping them reach incredible heights. They have not only changed the lives of the boys at the Sanhedria Home, they’ve also touched the hearts of all the volunteers.
Miriam Braun is appreciative to Miriam Aziz, as well. She said, “Miriam and all the other exceptional young people who volunteer have enhanced the Sanhedria children’s orbit with their presence, their dedication and their kindness. They are the ones who make this world a better place.”
