In hospitals and health care systems in many parts of the world, medical centers are not sufficiently staffed to care for all the patients’ needs. Family and friends come to the hospital to give moral support and to keep patients company.
In Israel, except in extreme cases, the health care system is inherently based on family and friends of the patients assisting with their basic needs, which necessitates the full time presence of a companion to be with the patient 24/7.
And so day after day, week after week, family members remain at the bedside of their loved one, running home for a quick shower and change of clothes, putting in a minimal amount of time at their home or business and dashing back to take over the next shift. Their physical and emotional energies depleted, their nerves taut, they are called upon to offer care and solace to the patient and often to make important medical decisions. Running on empty, they try. But it is so difficult. Enter Ezer Mizion.
Ezer Mizion’s Lottie’s Kitchen was founded in memory of Haim and Lottie Chalom A”H. Throughout her lifetime, Lottie used her kitchen as her tool for hesed, giving to others. An acquaintance, friend or family member would often find Lottie’s personal brand of comfort served alongside one of her home baked pastries.
Lottie’s four daughters absorbed her message. When their dear mother passed away, Susan Menashe, Nina Cohen, Linda Dayan and Claudia Bildirici established Lottie’s Kitchen in Jerusalem, under the auspices of Ezer Mizion. Thousands upon thousands of people in Israel benefit from Lottie’s Kitchen, amongst them cancer patients, the disabled, the elderly and families undergoing the trauma of a loved one’s sudden illness.
Esther is among the many volunteers who deliver the warm, nourishing meals at paients’ bedsides in Israeli hospitals. The delight seen on the faces of her “clients” is more than enough compensation for her hours of traipsing the hospital floors, loaded with trays of physical nutrition for the body, combined with the emotional sustenance for the soul.
Recently, one grateful recipient told Esther that she volunteers in Lottie’s Kitchen and cooks meals for distribution. Never did she dream that she would one day be on the receiving end of her labor of love.
From a grateful patient: My mother was to undergo an operation that could save her life—serious surgery. The family gathered. Day to day, details fell by the wayside. Life became encapsulated in the pristine white walls of the hospital with the beeping of all-powerful machinery. The scheduled day drew closer. We cried. We prayed. Hospital rules did not allow my mother to eat. Our emotions did not allow the rest of us to eat. We were weak. We were tense. The hour was almost upon us. But it was not to be. A staff member approached. She smiled. “I’m sorry, your mother’s surgery is going to have to be cancelled. We have an emergency.” Can nerves stretched to the breaking point be stretched any further? Like the small child frustrated by higher authorities, we wanted to rant and rave. Our mother, frail in her illness, pathetically looked to us for support. But we were helpless—helpless in our vulnerability. Helpless to buoy up her spirits when our own sagged desolately. And then she came, an Ezer Mizion volunteer bearing sandwiches, simple tuna fish sandwiches. She was dressed in warm caring and sympathetic understanding. She embraced my mother, sharing her strength. Her perception, her empathy, graced with love, encompassed us all. We ate and slowly we emerged from our misery. Once again we could bear the burden. She left, leaving hope behind her.
Each week, Lottie’s Kitchen volunteers prepare 1,500 meals and 1,700 sandwiches to distribute to families who, day after day, stand by the bed of a loved one, unwilling to leave to grab a bite—the sustenance which they need in order to continue caring for their loved one. From one end of Israel to another, every day thousands of Ezer Mizion volunteers visit the disabled, the elderly, homes of patients who have been diagnosed with cancer, and to hospital rooms where family members are exhausted from their vigil around the bed of a loved one. Nutritious and attractively packed meals are produced in Ezer Mizion’s kitchens by volunteers who peel, slice, sauté and stir—Jew helping Jew.
And who is it that enables Lottie’s Kitchen to continue functioning? It is compassionate Jews everywhere, Jews who care. Each summer the Deal, NJ community looks forward to a most exciting event entitled A Day in Lottie’s Kitchen. This summer Suzanne and Eric Sasson have graciously offered to host the event at their most exquisite home in Oakhurst. The day features professional food demonstrations given by both community members proficient in culinary skills and by professional chefs. Excitement fills the air as wives and mothers glean new creative ideas for imaginative dishes to serve their families and guests.
Throughout the day, guests gather around the tasteful Chinese Auction, choosing the items towards which their tickets should go, knowing that their involvement and contribution is making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.
A unique kitchen boutique with the latest in kitchen gadgets draws a large crowd who knows that this is where they will find an array of up-to-the-minute kitchen tools.
Lines form around the corner for photographs by Susan Menashe, the well-known photographer, as mothers hold tight to the hands of their little ones in anticipation of the perfect photo to send to Grandma.
Many come especially to hear the renowned speaker, Bonnie Mansour, who, year after year, manages to stir the souls of the guests with a topic of timely interest.
As this most exhilarating day winds down, guest say their goodbyes laden with bags of delicacies and a copy of Lottie’s Kitchen Cookbook, enabling them to reproduce these exquisite dishes in their own kitchens. As they descend the steps, their hearts are filled with that joy that accompanies the satisfaction of giving—a legacy from Lottie A’H who gave and gave.
We are looking forward to seeing you on July 8, 2009 at the home of Suzanne and Eric Sasson. For further info, call (718) 853-8400.
