Dear friends,

 

Dvir Mosai was sitting outside of the Hadassah Heritage Center in the hospital and I recognized him immediately. We had met last year when I visited the Tower on the Hadassah Presidents' Mission. It was wonderful to see Dvir again. I asked him to share his moving story with my travel companions. Dvir was on a school trip 14 years ago. The class was helping farmers on a kibbutz pick strawberries and cherries. Dvir and a friend wandered off towards the group's bus a few minutes before the rest of his class. As he approached the bus he stepped on a landmine that had been placed there earlier in the day. Dvir recalls the smell of his burning flesh and little else, as his body was literally torn to pieces. According to his doctors, it is a miracle that Dvir survived this brutal attack. 

 

Dvir has undergone 30 surgeries since that fateful day 14 years ago. He is so very grateful to Hadassah and Hadassah doctors who saved his life. Dvir describes how Hadassah has become his family and that he owes his life to his Hadassah medical team. He even met his wife while waiting to see a doctor at the hospital. His surgeon stood under the wedding huppah with Dvir and his bride two years ago. This past year their son was born at Hadassah hospital.

I was also happy to meet with Ronit Meidan, Head Nurse of Pain Relief at Hadassah Ein Kerem. Ronit visited Boston last year while participating in a Hadassah and Beth Israel Hospital exchange program and discussed her work at a Hadassah Boston program. To see the facility where so many patients are relieved of chronic pain was a moving experience. The clinic is tiny; two beds in the main section and four small doctors' rooms with one patient bed in each. Yet, despite this old and sparse facility, Ronit described the amazingly innovative pain management techniques used every day at the clinic. There is currently a four-month waiting list to be seen at the clinic. 

 

I share these two encounters with you so that you too can feel the pride in knowing that your financial support helps heal and transform lives and enables the sacred work of saving lives. A few pictures of my Hadassah visit are attached below. 

 

I am now looking forward to the upcoming Hadassah Convention in Atlanta. I encourage you to join me. The speakers and programs, as well as your interaction with other Hadassah members and leaders from around the country will engage, excite, educate and energize you.  If you haven't already signed up, click on the link in this newsletter to do so today. I'm certain that you will be gratified, and your Hadassah connection will grow even stronger.

Please check out the programs and events listed below. I look forward to seeing you all soon!

B' shalom,