As I close my eyes, I think of which direction I want to go. As a healthy teen, I have so many choices. There are many different doors; some open, some closed, some looking exactly the same, and some distinctive and unlike the others. Either way, whichever door I choose to go through, I will be on my way.
One door that has been open to many children of our generation is a door that gives them a second chance. This door leads to a magical place filled with laughter and smiles, overflowing with care and love. It’s a place filled with people who help and give their full commitment to patients, not only to treat their diseases but to facilitate their entire well-being. This exceptional place is called the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem.
Recently, Students 4 Kids, a unique group of Magen David Yeshivah High School (MDYHS) students, who raise funds for children in Israel, hosted their 2nd annual hesed (acts of loving kindness) event at the home of Milo and Saul Tawil to support Shaare Zedek. Founded by Dr. Moshe Wallach, the hospital has expanded greatly since its inception in 1902, when it was a 20-bed facility. Today, there are 500 beds and an extensive staff with more than 200 employees, including many of the most sought after physicians and professionals in Israel.
Approximately 50,000 children are treated in the pediatrics department, annually. Every person who enters the medical center is given personal treatment. Like other hospitals in Jerusalem, Shaare Zedek receives no government funding and is supported by generous donors around the world, who help maintain the hospital’s status as “the hospital with a heart.”
More than 40% of people who were injured in terror attacks were treated there and over 11,000 babies are born there each year. At Shaare Zedek, they heal with their heart, they heal with their faith and they heal with their ability to treat patients, not just diseases.
When MDYHS heard of the hospital’s need for funds, they jumped at the cause. Wearing bright red shirts on a cloudy day, they volunteered to run a bake sale and Chinese Auction. They even baked little pizza circles—on the spot— and served them fresh out of the oven to everyone’s delight.
Physical trainer Jackie Safdieh gave a class on nutrition and discussed how to take care of your body. A Hatzalah ambulance pulled up and showed everyone the equipment paramedics work with. Dr. Daniel Dearson, the school psychologist at MDYHS, gave a very calming meditation class in which he demonstrated the proper way to breathe and relax when stressed, a feeling many teens experience. T-shirts and sweatshirts with the words ‘Students 4 Kids’ inscribed on the back were sold.
Despite the rainy weather, MDYHS students remained positive and upbeat. The bake sale and Chinese Auction were filled with people throughout the day. It was especially remarkable to observe every age group having a great time and how everyone pitched in to help Shaare Zedek. Students ended up raising an unbelievable $50,000 for the hospital.
One of the reasons for the day’s success was MDYHS students’ expertise at organizing similar events. Last year students from MDYHS raised money for soldiers in Israel. They are full of compassion and always eager to raise money to help others.
_______________
Melanie Srour is a sophomore at Magen David Yeshivah.
