Stories From the Streets: Home Help for a Family in Need

On a recent Saturday night, United Hatzalah volunteers helped a woman give birth to her 16th child in her home in the Geula neighborhood of Jerusalem. 

United Hatzalah volunteer Avi, one of the first responders at the emergency birth, said, “Once the mother and her new baby girl were taken to the maternity ward in the hospital, we realized the house was in terrible condition. As United Hatzalah volunteers, we respond to emergencies in all different places and see quite a few houses that aren’t the cleanest or the nicest. However, after seeing this home we were shocked that anyone could live here. Not only was it extremely dirty, but it was also falling apart. It wasn’t fit for anyone to live in, especially not a family with many children. We decided to raise money and renovate the house for them. To our delight, many people got involved and donated for the cause.” 

There were many problems with the house that made it unfit for living. There were no windows, the paint was chipping off walls throughout the house, there were no lights or door in the bathroom, and the beds were broken.

After a week and a half, the volunteers received enough donations to start work. United Hatzalah rented an apartment for the family to stay in while their house was under construction. A contractor was hired to manage the renovations and started right away. 

Many amazing and thoughtful people from the community, in addition to the United Hatzalah volunteers, heard about the project and came to chip in with the renovations and cleaning. One man, Nati Azarzar, brought in many donations for the sake of the family, including beds, linens, and new appliances.

Within just four days the house was transformed. The entire house was renovated, from the bathrooms to the kitchen. The family was equipped with working appliances and electricity throughout the house. They received new furniture, including beds, a couch, and storage closets. The kitchen was stocked with food. New windows were put in, and the house was repainted. The volunteers even bought new linens as well as various other necessary items such as hairbrushes for the girls. 

On Thursday night, right before the family returned to their home, the United Hatzalah volunteers who’d responded to the birth, as well as others, came to mop the floors, make the beds, and complete all the final steps of the house renovation. They cleaned thoroughly and made the house ready for the family to move back in just in time for Shabbat.

“It was a shocking sight,” said volunteer Yossi Moalem. “As we walked into the house for the first time, we became so emotional. It was hard for us to believe the conditions the family was living in. I am so proud of the work we did. Now the house is finally a place where the family, the newborn, and the recovering mother can live. I want to thank all the people who donated money and other necessities; this could not have happened without their help.

“This project is not finished and will remain an ongoing one. The group of United Hatzalah volunteers who were involved in the initial response and then the renovations have taken it upon themselves to visit the family on a weekly basis to make sure that all their needs are being taken care of,” Avi said. “The volunteers continue to buy them food from the money donated, and a few have even volunteered to help with the cooking and cleaning.” 

When Eli Beer, the president and founder of United Hatzalah, heard about the story, he said, “The volunteers did such an amazing thing caring for this family the way they did. This is such tremendous chessed [kindness]. To those who participated all I can say is thank you. It is a true merit to have people such as yourselves in this organization. You make me proud, and I hope you continue doing such amazing things for others.”

Raphael Poch is the international media spokesperson for United Hatzalah.