Exciting closure: Rani and Imrie, Bnei Brak
Rani (26) and Imri (32), parents to Shai (4) and Maayan (<>), have been married for five years.
The acquaintance between the two took place during their activities on behalf of children at risk, at the "Emunah Ahuzat Sara" children's home on the outskirts of Bnei Brak - a warm and loving home for boys and girls referred by the welfare authorities, out of five boarding schools of the Emunah movement for children and youth at risk.
"I was a service girl and Imri worked there as a paid instructor," says Rani. "We worked in the same group with children in grades 4-6. Six months after I finished my service, we started dating. We got engaged and lived on Washington Hill. I studied for a degree in art there, and Imri earned a degree in art at Shenkar and worked in painting – another common denominator between us." Rani is currently studying art therapy and dreams of doing so.
After a few years of studying, Rani and Imri decided to return to boarding school to contribute to the place where they knew, to give of themselves to the children and empower them. "Last year we chose to return to boarding school and work as a couple in a daycare center, thus bringing closure to our story. We felt that this was how we were returning a good deed to the place we knew in the first place. This is our gratitude to the place, and of course it is also a great giving to these children.
"Today we actually run two houses. The first house belongs to the seven children at risk for whom we are responsible, and the second house is our home. By the way, between our house and the children's house there is one wall, and the proximity is very great. It's important to note that we don't do it alone, but that we have amazing service girls and a counselor with us," says Rani.
Regarding the routine, Rani says: "Our routine includes, among other things, normal conduct like that of all parents – going to parent meetings, taking to classes, accompanying them to treatments and medical appointments. At the same time, I am responsible for taking our children to kindergartens and bringing them back. Beyond that, we spend every second Saturday with the children. This Saturday they don't eat in the common dining room. We have a meal together, we make kiddush and sing, and I also prepare fish for them."
"We chose to return to boarding school and work as a couple in a daycare center", Roni and Imrie, photo: Joshua Yosef
"Volunteering contributes to our relationship": Miriam and Avraham, Moshav Renan
Miriam and Avraham Nissim's joint volunteering from Moshav Renan in the south began following a family tragedy. In January 2016, their beloved son Moshe, who was on his way home with his sons, was involved in a serious car accident - and was killed instantly.
The sense of loss and shock of Miriam (68) and Avraham (73) was unbearable. "I couldn't stay home, and I decided to do something for Moshe," Miriam says. "He loved cooking and baking, and being in the kitchen in general. It was his life. We decided to volunteer at the Adi Negev Rehabilitation Institute in the south, and for seven years I would prepare food there at a nominal price for those who wanted to buy – for patients, their families and employees – and the money went to the association. A few months ago I started volunteering in rehabilitation activities at Adi Negev, occupational therapy in a cooking workshop."
Miriam and Avraham came to volunteer, and also to extricate themselves from their personal sense of grief after the tragedy that befell the family. "I came with my husband to rehabilitate the people there with all my heart, and I got all the love and affection back," Miriam shares with moving honesty. "It's mental rehabilitation for me after the trauma we went through. Our volunteering is a memorial to our Moses. It makes me stronger, and I also enjoy giving. They don't give up on us. I come with my energies, embrace the people. I love them. It makes me feel good, and it's also hard for me to be at home."
The Nissim, who have been married for decades, are convinced that volunteering is also important for the relationship. "Volunteering contributes to us," Miriam explains. "Instead of sitting at home arguing, we have a goal. It also sets an example for our children. I recommend that many people volunteer in any field, and also leave the house for the sake of their souls. Those who have been traumatized should volunteer. Others should do the same. It does us good for the soul. We meet people all the time, and then the thoughts disappear a bit. I volunteer for Moshe."
"Leaving the house for the soul", Miriam and Avraham, photo: Dudu Greenspan
Love on uniform: Adi and Yuval, Gan Ner
"We grew up with the values of kindness – 'give and do' – and it fits into every moment of life." According to 26-year-old reserve captain Yuval Duchenian and 25-year-old reserve captain Adi Berkowitz, who met in the army, fell in love and now live together in Gan Ner.
The community is near Jenin, and in the last operation there, Bayit Vagan, they spoiled the forces and fighters with food and snacks. "What guides us is the way of land and giving," Adi explains. "We like to entertain soldiers, pack them cake or schnitzels and challah, pamper."
Adi is a political science student. She began her military career as an infantry instructor. Later she was a security officer in the Nahal unit, where she met Yuval.
Yuval was an officer in the Nahal Reconnaissance Unit and a deputy company commander. He is currently studying political science and international relations and working at the new guard. The two serve in the reserves. "We love the army – we love getting in uniform," they say.
Volunteering for the fighters is not enough for Adi, who has found another volunteering path: "A kind of friendly help. I am in contact with an 85-year-old man and host him for company. It was clear to me that I would."
The two say that volunteering gives special meaning to their relationship. "It connects us to something bigger," they say. "We need to distribute unconditional love, this is what connects us as a couple, and this is what will connect us all as a people. There is a lot of good in our country, and we should be happy about it."
"Volunteering connects us", Adi and Yuval, photo: IDF Spokesperson
Bringing Sectors Together: Ayelet and Israel, Haifa
Once a week, Ayelet and Israel Dickman appear at a branch of Ezer Mizion in Haifa. They take rolls, cakes and coffee, and head to Rambam Medical Center - where they distribute everything with love and a wide smile to the patients and their families, and even to the medical staff.
Ayelet (20) and Israel (21), who got married about a year ago, share the spirit of volunteerism with light in their eyes. "Before we got married, I had a dream to volunteer with my husband, and to my delight I saw that he flowed with me," Ayelet says.
Israel adds: "In the past, I used to volunteer with children on Ezer Mizion vacations. After we got married, we started volunteering together on a regular weekly basis and distributing food. We are waiting for our volunteer day. It's a stunning marital and ethical experience."
The newlyweds bring positive energies to the blessed volunteering. "It's so much fun to give. People come to the ER and are there for hours. We had a case of a mother who only ate our cakes. The personal attention is the most significant thing, beyond the distribution of food," the two say.
"We try to make them the coffee they like, and feel that volunteering connects us in another way. After volunteering at the hospital - everything takes on proportions. Volunteering gives us more than we give."
The Dickmans walk through the corridors of Rambam Medical Center with their food and coffee cart and spread joy everywhere: "It's a joint activity of both of us, which makes us admire each other even more. This is our mission together."
Some of Rambam's patients are from the Arab sector, and of course they also get to receive the delicious rolls and cakes from Ayelet and Israel: "We don't care if it's Jewish or Arab. This is our way of bringing Jews and Arabs closer together. We see this as Kiddush Hashem. People take the sandwiches, and we're happy with the path we chose and our volunteering."
"Stunning kit experience", Ayelet and Israel, photo: Michelle Dot Com
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