Twins in Crisis

The Kaufmans,* a typical American couple living in Israel, were thrilled to be the new parents of twins – until the babies were thrust into an emergency medical crisis. Overnight, the Kaufmans plummeted into the confusing world of the Israeli health care system, frightening and indecipherable Hebrew medical terms were thrown at them and, with no family support whatsoever, the crisis threatened to drown them.

A neighbor suggested they call Chaim V’Chessed. When Rabbi Freedman got the call, he sprang into action. “The first thing he did,” recounts Mr. Kaufman with a smile in his voice, “was meet us at the hospital with a tray of baked goods.” It was exactly what the Kaufmans needed most just then. Rabbi Freedman then set to work arranging for a cadre of medical volunteers to be at their side for the entire journey – explaining medical jargon and diagnoses, advocating for them in the hospital, and assisting them with transportation, meals, and any and all areas of care that they could possibly need.

Mr. Kaufman says,

My wife and I were here on our own. We had never heard of Rabbi Freedman before. During our time of crisis, he was literally our only support system. Until today, he calls up to ask how the babies are doing, how we’re doing.