March 2026 Newsletter

“O woman, great is your faith!” (Matthew 15:28)

This statement could be made to many of the Be’ad Chaim mothers who need tremendous courage and faith to continue a pregnancy despite desperate circumstances. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus was approached by a Gentile woman. “Have mercy on me, Son of David,” she begged, that He would heal her beloved daughter. In love, her daughter was instantly healed. It mattered not to Jesus whether she was Jewish or Gentile. His merciful heart heard her heart’s cry for help. At Be’ad Chaim, we are devoted to serving every pregnant woman who comes to us in her deep need, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity. The population whom we serve includes Israeli Jews, many Arab Israelis, Bedouin (nomadic peoples) in the Negev desert, refugees from Africa and new immigrants from Ukraine and Russia. Israel’s diverse society includes many people groups, and abortions are common in every sector. Our newsletters share stories of both “Moses” and “Muhammed”—all created in the image of God. Several years ago, the meeting room in Be’er Sheva was packed with mothers, fathers and grandmothers: Jews, Ukrainians, Russians, Bedouin, and Africans. The guest speaker shared that God heals broken hearts. One Bedouin father, who attended the meeting with his wife, came forward after the meeting with tears in his eyes. He said that he had never heard such a wonderful, kind message. God’s love extends beyond our cultural and religious borders. Love knows no boundaries. Mother Inevet, who had considered abortion and chose life for her daughter Oriya (which means “God is my light”), expressed what unconditional love meant to her:

“Hi, I hope you are well. Today I am sitting and looking at my baby girl smiling at me, and it’s all thanks to you at Be’ad Chaim. I thank God for this great gift of life which He has given me. You are angels sent by Him and have helped me to choose life for my baby. Thank you to my amazing counselor who encouraged me so much, and to the donors who support this organization.”

Bless you!

Sandy

SALOME NEEDS A MIRACLE

Salome is a loving mother and cares deeply for her adorable daughter Elana who celebrated her first birthday in December. Elana is doing well and starting to walk, but Salome needs your prayers. During the birth over a year ago, she had an epidural which left one leg paralyzed. This makes it very difficult to walk and she can’t work. Her husband supports them. Salome is asking you to pray for a miracle for her leg to be fully restored. Thank you!

BABY GIRL PENINA SHIRA NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS

This letter was received from Michal, who gives thanks despite her suffering.

Dear ones:

Penina Shira was born with a serious and rare liver disease called biliary atresia. The ducts that are supposed to carry bile from the liver to the intestines were blocked and scarred. The bile could not leave the liver, accumulated inside it, and caused severe jaundice and significant damage to the liver tissue, which began to become granular and scarred, a life-threatening condition. The only solution in such a situation is a complex, rare, and extremely long operation called a Kasai procedure. This operation lasts about seven hours and must be performed before the age of eight weeks, a critical window of time to save the liver and try to prevent, or at least postpone, a liver transplant.

During the surgery, all the damaged bile ducts and the gallbladder are removed, and about 20 centimeters of the intestines are taken and connected directly to the liver. This effectively creates “new bile ducts” that allow bile to drain from the liver to the intestines. This is a rare, long, and very complicated surgery, performed in Israel by only one surgeon, at a cost of about 1.5 million shekels. After the surgery, the children are transferred to intensive care, sedated, and ventilated for several days. Our Penina Shira also went through all of this. She was in intensive care, sedated and ventilated, and we stood helplessly by her side, praying, crying, and holding on to the strong belief that she would get through it.

Statistically, the results of the Kasai procedure can be divided into three categories: For about 33% of children, the surgery is unfortunately unsuccessful. For about 33%, the surgery is partially successful, and they live for several years with the liver until a transplant is needed. For about 33%, the surgery is fully successful and they live with their liver for the rest of their lives.

Since this is a relatively new procedure, the oldest person currently living with a kasai is about 45 years old.

Today, Penina Shira is under very close medical supervision. She is fed a special formula called Nutrient Peptide Junior, which is only available with a doctor's prescription and costs four times as much as regular formula. In addition, due to her medical condition and extreme sensitivity, she needs my constant supervision around the clock to ensure she is not exposed to bacteria and infections, as even a minor infection could lead to immediate hospitalization.

Unfortunately, hospitalizations are an integral part of our daily routine, and due to her complex medical condition, I will not be able to return to work for the next two years, as I must be with her day and night without the possibility of leaving.

We are writing this letter to you with trembling hands and hearts full of emotion.

It is very difficult to put into words the depth of gratitude we feel towards you, but it is important for us to let you know! Your generosity touches us every day and lights our way through this complex, painful, and turbulent period. Your donations of diapers, clothing, and especially the regular monthly assistance through the card that allows us to purchase Penina Shira's basic needs are a real anchor for us!

With your help, we can buy not only diapers and other essentials, but also the expensive, regular meds that Penina Shira needs every day—life-saving meds that have become a big part of her medical routine. Knowing that every month there are people who think about us, care for us, and do not forget us gives us a sense of security, warmth, and hope.

It is important for us to let you know that our Penina Shira is the youngest in the family, and she has four siblings waiting for her at home, two sisters and two brothers. They are accompanying her through this struggle with concern, prayer, and lots of love, and they too need strength and stability during this challenging time our family is going through.

And in the midst of all this you stand with us!! Your help, your monthly support, your big heart that you open to us give us air to breath and strength to continue and a deep sense that we are not alone in this journey. With many thanks from the depths of our heart.

A.S. Family and especially little Pnina Shira, our small and brave baby.

TENDER MASSAGE HEALS MOTHER AND BABY

As mothers learned to tenderly massage their babies, hearts were opened and many of the women expressed the joy of being a new mother. I heard several mothers say, “It is because of Be’ad Chaim that my baby is alive today.” Ziva, mother of Nirya, was deeply touched and said “I’m not used to people caring about me.” Orli, mother of Talia, said, “because of your grace and mercy, Talia lives.” Seeing mothers lovingly caressing their children and hearing them whisper words of love is the reward for the perseverance of our terrific team of counselors.

JOYOUS REUNION SHANI AND BABY TSUF

Twenty-year-old mother Shani came into the office today with her one-month-old baby daughter Tsuf. She was accompanied by her forty-year-old mother whom we had helped twenty-one years ago when she was in a crisis pregnancy with Shani! It delighted my heart to hug now grandma Patzi and to know that we helped give life not only to one baby but to generations of children. Three years ago, we helped Shani choose life for her son. She and her husband have since married and together raise three-year-old Ahuvia and newborn Tsuf. As a young couple, they need our financial support. Grandma comes to visit and help when she can. It’s exciting to see a new generation through Be’ad Chaim’s love.

COUNSELOR SEMINAR

In early February, our team of counselors gathered together in our Jerusalem office for a time of fellowship, good food and a workshop. The workshop focused on self-care, how to set healthy boundaries and avoid burnout. While our work is highly rewarding, it can be disheartening to counsel women for hours and then see them choose abortion. The counselors shared that the seminar was very helpful and that they are trying to use the tools that they learned. Here are just a few photos of some of our counselors holding babies who are alive through their efforts.

TU B’SHVAT IN THE GARDENS OF LIFE

Tu B’shvat is a Jewish holiday dedicated to celebrating the flora which God has blessed us with. Twenty people gathered in the Gardens of Life on Tu B’shvat to plant trees for babies who had been stillborn, miscarried or aborted. As they planted, several of us prayed quietly out of respect for the privacy and intimacy of the moment. It was a holy time of open hearts, tears and healing. We read from Psalm 126: “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” We shared from Isaiah 61 that the Gardens are a place “to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” The grief and remorse of having an abortion were washed away by the blood of the Lamb. After each person planted their tree, we stood in a circle and prayed for the people abroad who had asked us to plant a tree for them. As we prayed for healing for those abroad, there was a precious unity in spirit praying together with people whom we had not met before. All are welcome to plant in the Gardens of Life, a place of memorial and honor of the unborn.

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