When a child needs us most...
Zichron Menachem
conducts extensive support activities that include a reservoir of blood donors,
support groups, family vacations, an array of volunteers to provide support in
hospitals, wigs, making dreams come true, lending out computers, VCRs, audio and
video cassettes and a broad variety of activities adapted to the immediate needs
that arise.
When a child with cancer needs blood…
The chemotherapy and radiation treatments can have a drastic effect on the immune system and the body’s blood-clotting mechanism. This can place the child in an immediately life-threatening situation.
Zichron Menachem has the largest reservoir of blood donors and blood product (platelets) donors in Israel, classified by blood type. Thousands of blood units are donated through Zichron Menachem annually. Zichron Menachem operates a sophisticated communications and transportation network to contact and bring donors in whenever needed.
When a child with cancer needs blood…
The chemotherapy and radiation treatments can have a drastic effect on the immune system and the body’s blood-clotting mechanism. This can place the child in an immediately life-threatening situation.
Zichron Menachem has the largest reservoir of blood donors and blood product (platelets) donors in Israel, classified by blood type. Thousands of blood units are donated through Zichron Menachem annually. Zichron Menachem operates a sophisticated communications and transportation network to contact and bring donors in whenever needed.
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When a sympathetic ear is needed...
Dozens of families with cancer-stricken children benefit weekly from the “Dassi’s Path” program, named for Dassi Rabinowitz, who was a Zichron Menachem child and counselor. The program runs support groups for parents of ill children. Psychologists, doctors, rabbis and social workers give lectures to the parents and conduct discussion groups. The program is currently giving a series of lectures on subjects such as couplehood, education, guided imagery relaxation techniques, and more.
The program is funded by
The group meets in the Zichron Menachem guesthouse hostel and where delicious refreshments are served. A recently formed new group for bereaved families also meets regularly.
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Parents are also our “baby”...
Recreation days for parents are a special treat. The purpose is to “recharge” batteries and give parents a chance to renew the strength they need to contend with the day-to-day challenges. To help them do so, Zichron Menachem organizes weekends for parents in hotels, fun days and more.
Zichron Menachem considers the support groups and activities for parents a very important aspect of its work. In order to encourage families to participate regularly and consistently in the lectures and groups, a long weekend is “awarded” to regular participants. We promised and made good on our promise: At the beginning of the summer, about 30 couples set out for a holiday at the renovated Keinar hotel on the banks of Lake Kinneret from Friday noon until Sunday evening. The condition for participation in the special weekend was regular attendance of support groups meetings and the willingness to leave children at home.
“How can we leave the children at home?” parents protested. But the rules were strict and there were no exceptions. Not everyone understood the reason at first, and one couple only reluctantly left their children with grandparents, another couple left a nursing baby with relatives. No children were present.
The row of cars set out from Jerusalem to the Kinneret on Friday festooned with little Zichron Menachem flags. Upon their arrival, each couple received a modest gift – a bag with bottles of mineral water, a bottle of perfume and a flower, accompanied by a warm greeting message.
On Shabbat, the meals lasted for hours on end. As long as two hours after the meal had ended, not a single couple wanted to get up. The hotel staff joined Zichron Menachem in pampering the special guests with complementary cakes, fruit and nuts with which they filled the tables, adding to the feeling of togetherness. Everyone contributed to the special atmosphere, religious and nonobservant couples alike, and all drew strength from one another to go on.
The father of the little baby left behind came to thank us just a few hours after their arrival. “Thank you for making us come without the children. We already feel like “new” people,” he said.
One of the participant told Miri that the weekend at Kenar saved her marriage. “This week, my husband and I were going to get divorced. Our daughter has been ill for the past year and a half and the situation at home has completely fallen apart. The chance you gave us this weekend to rest, renew ourselves and breathe a little fresh air gave us the strength to try and rebuild our lives together.
On Saturday night, the group went to Tiberias to pray at the graves of ancient sages and on Sunday, we left for the Akhziv coast from where despite the security situation, we set sail in boats right up to the Lebanese border.
Early Monday morning, the telephone at the Erental family’s home rang and one of the mothers that had taken part in the weekend was on the line. “How do I preserve those wonderful moments,” she asked.
One short weekend, but a very important one.
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When the hospitals lack manpower...
Zichron Menachem’s volunteers remain at the ill children’s side from early morning until late at night, all year long in the pediatric oncology wards to free parents so that they can go to work and to ease the burden of the overworked nursing staff.
Another pair of hands is always welcome – especially for those little things that children don’t want to bother the nurses for.
The volunteers are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, which Zichron Menachem lends out to patients, helping the children to operate the various devices.
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When a child starts balding...
One of the most serious emotional hardships that children with cancer have to deal with comes when their hair falls out as a result of chemotherapy. At this point, the children begin to look very different from what they were used to and some respond very badly. In some cases, it is the “straw that breaks the camel’s back.” The children are ashamed to spend time with their friends. “The looks and whispers behind our backs are the worst of all,” say the children candidly.
To minimize the difficulties, Zichron Menachem arranges a temporary replacement for the children and a staff of trained professionals comes to fit a wig for each boy or girl that wants one.
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We gratefully accept long hair donations that meet the following criteria:
• Hair should be braided, and tied with a rubber band at both ends before cutting.
• Hair needs to be a minimum of 30cm or 12.5 inches when braided.
Please mail braids to:
Zichron Menachem
P.O.Box 16383
Jerusalem, 91163, Israel
Tel. +972-2-643-3001
N.B. Free haircuts (in New York area) for everyone donating their hair to Zichron Menachem at:
TRENDZ SALON
43 South Washington Avenue
Bergenfield, NJ 07621, USA
Tel: 201 385-6678
Each child has a secret dream...
Each child has a secret dream and Zichron Menachem tries to make the dreams of the children with cancer come true. Zichron Menachem volunteers organize meetings with famous artists and distinguished public figures or even trips abroad.
These special treats are a ray of light in the children’s sea of suffering and pain, and they serve to bolster them emotionally and give them the added strength they need to keep fighting and beat the terrible disease.
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When there is too much free time and too few people to share it with...
Zichron Menachem lends out personal computers, VCRs, television sets, electronic games, books, audio and video cassettes to help children use their time effectively. Cellular phones are also available to help children keep in touch with friends and family.
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All Zichron Menachem’s help and support are provided absolutely free of charge.
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