Dear Friends,

We are excited about the developments this month here at Be’ad Chaim. We are celebrating the birth of our 3500th baby through the Operation Moses project since its inception in 2006. We give God the glory for allowing this project to have an impact on the lives of so many children. The mother of a seven year old recently met one of our counselors and exuberantly expressed her gratitude: “Because of you I have children. Without you, I wouldn’t have had my son.” Thank you for being a part of the privilege that we have to save lives here in Israel. “He who has saved one life, it is as though he has saved the whole world.” (the Talmud). With deep thanks,

Sandy

Another 115 Buses

Last month, 28 buses set out in the streets of Tel Aviv, Ashkelon and Tiberias. This month, through the generosity of donors, another 115 buses will take to the streets of Jerusalem, Ashdod, Petach Tikvah and Be'er Sheva. The emphasis of the campaign is to inspire courage in women! We are letting women know that they don’t have to give up on their babies, that they are not alone and that we want to help them. Please join us in prayer that these bus ads will protect the lives of mothers and children from abortion.

Maram and baby twins Machmed and Yousef

Maram is 21 years old and divorced. She was already raising one daughter alone and when she found out she was pregnant with twins, she panicked. She was living in a substandard apartment with no electricity other than a wire strung from a neighbor’s flat, and it had steep and narrow stairs. Her ex-husband was not in the picture at all. Maram and her mother wear black hijabs (a head covering worn by Moslem women) outside the house and divorce is seen as shameful in their culture.

A friend told Maram about Be’ad Chaim and after contacting us, she found a nonjudgmental and listening ear in her counselor. Knowing that someone cared about her as a person, gave her much confidence and peace. In March, she gave birth to twin boys, Machmed and Yousef. Thankfully, just before the birth, she was able to move to a ground floor apartment. It has a small walled courtyard which creates a safe place for small children to play. Her older daughter, who is now 1-½ years old, is very jealous of her twin brothers. This sibling rivalry is currently Maram’s biggest challenge. Thankfully, grandma takes her granddaughter to her home sometimes to leave Maram to cope with her baby boys. Maram told me that she believes God hears our prayers, and she shared her very deep gratitude for all the help and support she has received. She said it really made a huge difference to have people who loved and cared for her in such an amazing way.

Natalie and baby girl Michelle

Natalie, 24 years old, is an immigrant from Russia and has lived in Israel for a few years now. She is educated and has a stable job. She and her partner had already been living together for several years in a small apartment on the coast. Natalie said that they enjoyed a good life up until she found out she was pregnant. Neither of them had talked about starting a family and she really did not want to be pregnant at this time. When she told her partner, he was shocked and responded with a lot of anger, saying some very hurtful things. As a result, they split up. Natalie contacted our hotline with a million questions which we were happy to answer. She wanted information before making her decision. After hearing the facts about baby development and the consequences of abortion, she chose life. In January, Natalie gave birth to a gorgeous little girl whom she named Michelle. The Operation Moses project provided her with all of her basic baby needs including a bed, stroller, bath tub, bed sheets and monthly gift vouchers for diapers, formula and other necessities. Natalie said that she recently started receiving help for her rent from the government and that Michelle’s father, who is working in a bakery, brings her bread every day. He works really hard - 10 hours per day - but makes a good salary, and thankfully they have stayed friends.

Dina and baby girl Liah

Twenty eight year old Dina lives with her partner in a city on the outskirts of Jerusalem. She is a student and her partner is a building engineer. She said that they have been struggling financially because their rent is high and only he was employed. Then, due to COVID, he lost his job and the situation became even more difficult. At about that time, Dina found out she was pregnant and they were both very worried about their situation. Dina had already had one abortion and didn’t want to go through that experience again. She looked for organizations that help and phoned our hotline. As a result, she continued the pregnancy and baby Liah was born in February. Dina loves her adorable baby, but feels frustrated that shecan’t study because she can’t get enough sleep to be able to concentrate. She and her partner married prior to the birth, and he is very supportive and helpful. Even though they are still struggling financially, they both want to do their very best to raise their little princess the best way they can, and are very grateful for all the help they have received.

Lena and baby girl Bat Sheva

Lena, 49 years old, celebrated her precious Bat Sheva’s first birthday in February. Because of COVID, they were unable to have a big party but were happy that her family was able to come. Lena says that people stop her on the street to tell her how cute her little Bat Sheva is. Her husband works in construction and half of his salary goes to pay their rent. When he is home, he is a big help and showers their two children with attention, loves to play with them and puts them to bed so that Lena can rest. To help pay bills, Lena has now found a job. She loves her work and said it makes her feel alive again, but she is also continually thinking about her two young children, and finds it hard to fully commit to her job. She likes to get home to spend lunchtime with them. At the moment the couple doesn’t earn enough to pay for a nanny for the whole day.

In the past, Lena had three abortions and one miscarriage. She told me she still carries the burden of this. She wants to feel free again and move on with her life. As a result of the need that Lena expressed, we have decided to start a new post-abortion group on zoom with the women in Beer Sheva where Lena lives. Our counselors are excited to see how God will move to heal broken hearts in the south.

Laila and baby Ibrahim

Ibrahim, Laila's son, just celebrated his first birthday. He is very active, now standing on his own, talking a lot, has four teeth and is just plain adorable. Laila loves and delights in him, as does her ex-husband, who is not actually the baby’s father. She and her ex-husband went through a rough divorce but these days, they get along and he loves to spend time with little Ibrahim. Ibrahim’s biological father is not in the picture. Laila, however, thinks it is very important for Ibrahim to have a father figure in his life and is grateful for her ex-husband’s love for him, even if he is not his real father. Laila and Ibrahim live in a multi-generational household where he receives a lot of attention. She is grateful for the support of her family which surrounds her with love, and the practical help given to her through the Operation Moses project.

Maya and baby girl Hodaya

Maya and her husband already had 6 children, and despite her efforts to space them, she found herself pregnant again. Maya's husband studies in a yeshiva (an institute for Torah learning) and receives a small stipend. He also works with his father in the local open air market. Maya herself had a job as a salesperson until COVID forced the store where she was employed to shut down. She hadn't worked long enough to be eligible for unemployment, so she was just "let go." Realizing that the family would be "in trouble" if she didn't look for help, she recalled the assistance she had received from Be'ad Chaim several years prior and called us as soon as she found out she was pregnant. As a religious woman, she knew that she shouldn't abort but financial strains were weighing heavily. Two of her children have special needs. She decided to continue with the pregnancy, knowing that Operation Moses would be there for her. In March, baby girl Hodaya (“thanks be to God “) was born – the first girl after six boys! The family, particularly Maya’s husband, that they finally have a girl.

Reproductive Loss Counseling

In recent months, our hotline has received increasingly more requests for help after the loss of a child through either abortion, miscarriage or stillbirth. Women who have been blessed through our counseling or through the planting of a tree in the Gardens of Life have written excellent recommendations to others who mourn, and have urged them to contact us. The Gardens of Life is a place of comfort, healing and restoration for those who grieve the loss of a child. All are welcome to plant a tree in memory of a child or to contact our office so that we can plant one in your stead. A beautiful memorial certificate is given/sent to each person who plants a tree.

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