Dear Friends,

Be’ad Chaim offers help to every woman in need regardless of race, religion or nationality. We care for every baby and mother. Among the many that we serve, many are immigrants who have trouble adjusting to life in a new country. Israel is a melting pot of Jews from the nations and the women whom we serve are from a wide variety of backgrounds. Being in Israel, the majority of our help goes to Jewish Israelis, but we often help many others. In Jerusalem, for example, we serve quite a few refugees from Ethiopia and Eritrea. In Beer Sheva, amongst our new moms are many Bedouin, and in the Haifa area, we help a number of Arab women from Nazareth and the surrounding villages. In this issue, we will share the stories of those to whom we have extended a helping hand as they stepped up to live in Israel.

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” (Numbers 13:30)

Anna - Mom to be

Anna is a very brave 20 year old. When she was 16, she came to Be’ad Chaim for help with a crisis pregnancy, but her father forced her to abort. He paid 4000 NIS (more than $1000) to a private clinic for her to have it done - while she was screaming, kicking and saying that she didn’t want to do it “because it would be taking the life of a person with a soul.“ After the abortion, she left her family and hasn’t returned since. Her boyfriend at the time, now her husband, was 18 and got a job. Together, they rented an apartment while she finished high school. Her school counselor became like a mother to her. The school principal would give her envelopes with money to help with living expenses. The principal told her: ”You could have gone downhill, but you chose to do well.“ Anna finished high school and excelled on all of her matriculation exams. After graduating, she was drafted into the army and completed her full service. She recently found a job in a shop downtown. She and her husband live with his family, but plan on renting their own apartment when their baby comes this winter. 

We feel privileged to be able to help this exceptional young woman. Anna is sincere, courageous and believes in the humanity of every child in the womb.

Karla and baby Avi

Karla made aliyah to Israel from Mexico three years ago. Her husband worked nights and would sleep during the daytime so they did not see each other very often. They lived in the home of her husband’s parents.

Several years prior, Karla was in a car accident. She still suffers from back pain and has difficulty walking. When she discovered that she was pregnant, she was excited but also afraid and confused, realizing that she needed some help. She searched the internet and saw an advertisement for our “Lilach” pregnancy centers (Be’ad Chaim) on Facebook. She rang our Hotline knowing that she couldn’t kill her baby, but feeling very anxious and quite alone in her first pregnancy. She was put in touch with a local counselor who comforted and encouraged her. Karla was very relieved by both the love and promise of practical help through the Operation Moses program.

Karla gave birth to her firstborn son Avi in June. The birth was difficult because of Karla’s back injuries, but she and the baby are doing well. Sadly, since the birth, Karla has been a victim of domestic violence. Her caring counselor took her under her wing and gave her emergency shelter, accompanied her to the police where she reported the violence, and helped her get settled in a women’s shelter in a different city. Karla is very grateful to God and to her counselor who showed her love beyond what she could have asked for. The help and love that she’s receiving from Be’ad Chaim have been a life-line for her. Thank you for your prayers for Karla and her precious Avi.

Abigail and baby Emily

Abigail is 30 years old, and the single mother of three children: a seven year old daughter, a six

year old son and her baby daughter Emily. She made aliyah (immigrated) to Israel with her family from the country of Georgia many years ago. The father of her three children is an Arab man from the Gaza Strip who has difficulties getting a visa to enter Israel, and is therefore in and out of their lives. Presently, he has no income and can’t support them. Although this is

challenging for Abigail, she feels that it is easier to learn to be independent rather than depend on someone who cannot be depended upon.

Abigail celebrated her daughter’s first birthday in May of this year. Abigail loves her job working as a kindergarten teacher and has a lot of experience with children. She has now gotten used to being a mom to an infant again, saying it was nothing like when she had her first child! She has a special love for Emily and this helps her during sleepless nights and when Emily fusses.

Abigail is presently on maternity leave from her job and hopes to go back to work in the Fall. She shared her deep appreciation for all the help and support she received over this last year during a very challenging season. It made such a huge difference to have people who loved and cared for her.

Anastasia and baby Leonardo

Anastasia is a 37 year old married mother. She immigrated to Israel from Russia ten years ago with her husband and one year old son. They wanted to start a new and better life here in the Land of Israel, but since making the move, they’ve faced many challenges and struggles. 

Upon arriving in Israel, they were sent to live in an absorption center with other new immigrants, where they attended ulpan (Hebrew classes) and began to understand Israeli culture and the different lifestyle here. Anastasia was eager to start her new life and they looked forward to renting their own apartment when her husband found employment.

Learning Hebrew turned out to be much more difficult for her husband than expected and it caused him to be discouraged and down, preventing him from finding a good job. Anastasia is able to carry on a basic conversation in Hebrew. Recently, when she found out that she was pregnant again, she was shocked and unprepared. She believed the only option would be to have an abortion because they still did not feel settled enough to care for another child. Anastasia started looking on websites to research and find out more about abortion and really did not like what she discovered. It scared and confused her. Her husband was happy to stand by her, whatever decision she made. When her parents back in Russia found out that she was pregnant, they strongly encouraged her to abort, and were angry that she was even contemplating having the baby, considering their financial situation.

Anastasia got in touch with Be’ad Chaim and found love and support through Beer Sheba counselors Ala and Oxana. She said that it was thanks to them that she decided to continue her pregnancy.

Thanks to generous sponsorship, Anastasia was able to become part of the Operation Moses program which supplied her with a crib and sheets, baby bath, stroller and the promise of monthly vouchers for a whole year to buy the other essentials she would need for her new baby. She is so very grateful for all this amazing help. In June, Anastasia gave birth to a beautiful baby boy whom they named Leonardo. Anastasia shared her deep appreciation for all the help and support that she is receiving during this very uncertain time.

Help to the Gypsy population in Jerusalem

We recently had the opportunity to help the gypsy population in Jerusalem. In their community, sadly, many of the young girls become pregnant at the age of 15 or 16. They won’t come to our office because they are ashamed, so Amoun, a caring woman, has organized help for them and comes to us on their behalf. Amoun wrote: "We thank you for allowing us to help these women. The girl in the photo is 16 years old - so sad, but that is life in the Domari culture where teens get married at a very early age. Another teen mom whom you helped is 17 and her baby is now four months old. You can use this picture because people need to see and to know this situation.” (The aim of the Domari Society is to improve the quality of life of the Dom (gypsy) community in the Middle East. It is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 by Amoun Sleem, a gypsy woman who has lived in the community for her entire life.)

Healing after reproductive loss

Our program for healing after the loss of a baby continues to grow. It is very exciting to be able to offer help and healing to those who have never experienced God’s love in a personal way. 

One young woman, who deeply grieved after she was coerced into having an abortion against her will, wrote, “I thank you very much for hearing me. It’s pleasant, strengthens and calms me. Thank you for your understanding and being such a good listener. I received the power to go on and also find a 'quiet corner.' I’m grateful for the tools you’ve given me, will read the Bible references that you suggested and will consider how to create healthy boundaries.”

Another woman, who had had four abortions, was most grateful that she was able to experience huge relief after only one session. The Gardens of Life continues to be a place of healing and comfort for those who grieve. Dana came to plant a tree for a child she miscarried a year ago. She is married, with two children right now, but misses the one she lost and hopes to have many more. She herself is a social worker who specializes in the care of very young children. She sought closure after the loss of her baby but was told, ”Don’t be sad, you’ll get over it.” Through planting the tree, she was able to honor her child and find comfort. All who mourn the loss of a child deserve to be comforted, to find closure and be able to grieve their loss. You are welcome to plant a tree in memory or in honor of a child who is now in heaven with the Father of Life. On Wednesday, Sept. 23rd, during what is called the “Days of Awe” between Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish new year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) , we will have a special time of tree planting to remember our unborn children.  You are welcome to make an appointment to plant a tree or to ask our prayer hostess to plant a tree on your behalf. Contact info@beadchaim.org.il

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