Sitting in my office, I often hear the sweet sound of a baby cooing. Knowing that we have had a role in bringing this little one into the world is a soothing balm in the midst of the war. Recently, I saw an emotional Instagram post by Doron Katz-Asher, who had been taken captive by Hamas on October 7, 2023 and freed along with her daughters Raz and Aviv after forty-nine days. Doron announced that she is pregnant with their third child and shared: “Bringing life into the world, a year after I almost lost my own, is the greatest gift we could ask for in the new year. My ray of light in the darkness.”

Thankfully, our mothers have not been taken captive, but many of them feel as though they are trapped in difficulty and trauma. We marvel to see the freedom that comes when they victoriously grapple with the life and death decision for their pre-born baby by choosing life. The depth of joy and love that the mother experiences as she holds her newborn in her arms is beyond what she imagined. Like Doron, many of our new mothers say “This baby is my ray of light in the darkness.”

Amelia and Baby Boy Eliav

Amelia, twenty-one years old, has a two-year-old child. When she was thirteen years old, her mother died. Two years later, her father died. Her older sister and brothers were all put in boarding schools. Traumatized by her loss, she was not able to complete high school. Amelia had her first of five abortions when she was sixteen. Her first baby was born when she was nineteen. She had subsequent abortions which caused her to fall into depression. This time, her older sister fought for her to keep the baby despite pressure from the boyfriend. Amelia did not want to face another abortion. Our sympathetic counselor spoke peace and hope to her heart. Amelia gave birth to baby boy Eliav in August. Her sister helped her in the days afterwards until she was back on her feet. Just prior to Eliav’s birth, the baby bed, stroller and bath tub were delivered to her home, which gave her a sense of preparation and excitement for the new baby. The monthly gift cards are a very practical help for her, both financially and as a reminder that we stand with her. Amelia is not alone. God cares for this precious mother who needs to know that she is a child of God.

We cannot forget the more than 60,000 evacuees

For the past year, Hezbollah has fired over 6,700 rockets and drones into northern Israel, causing more than 64,000 Israelis to evacuate their homes and turning northern Israel into a war zone. Shlomi, a small community of 7,000 residents, has known wars in the past, but the current conflict is totally different in both length and intensity. Through monthly gift cards, Be’ad Chaim continues to support many evacuated new mothers in various hotels. We received this note of thanks from a member of Shlomi: Happy holidays. In these crazy days of war in the North and the South, the Shlomi community is in a closed military zone. We have been in the Hotel as refugees for a year. We are willing to stay in the hotel until the government decides otherwise and the terrorists are destroyed. Thank you for all of your support and generosity. Nisim and Ofra.

Increased Social Media Campaign – Look for us!

We're thrilled to set out on a new campaign that will both raise general awareness of the dire situation here in the Land and introduce the work being done here in Israel by the Be'ad Chaim staff. Our nation is committing abortions at high rates with government support and offers nearly no protection over the life of the child.

Our campaign will include the following:

• Reaching people with our message of saving lives in Israel
• Increased pro-life awareness videos through YouTube, Facebook and Instagram
• Sharing answers and insights about pro-life issues in Israel via Google and other search engines
• Sharing the work, mission and impact of Be'ad Chaim

Our team is opening channels across new social media networks. This month, we're opening a Be'ad Chaim TikTok account to reach a completely new audience. Our content will tell the clear truth of how lives can be saved and how we're experiencing the grace of God through testimonies of women who kept their babies.

Shir and baby Daniel

Nine months ago, Shir called our office, frantic when she discovered herself pregnant after a night out in a pub. She was absolutely determined to have an abortion, being in her late thirties and not in a relationship with the baby’s twenty-one-year-old father. She felt afraid, alone and embarrassed. After hours of conversation with our counselors, she grasped that this was her opportunity to be a mother, despite the circumstances. Shir, at first very tentatively, continued the pregnancy. As the months went by, her fearful demeanor faded and she became more and more filled with light as she approached the birth. Her son, Daniel, now a month old, is a delight for her, and she is deeply grateful that she chose motherhood.

Rachel and Baby Girl Yael

Newborn baby girl Yael was so cute that I had to greet her mother Rachel. One of the first things that she said to me was:

Doctors said that I couldn’t have another baby, but God knew better… The doctors had trouble believing that I could be fine. It’s a miracle. This is the baby that I thought I couldn’t have and the best thing that ever happened to me. The doctors are amazed that she’s healthy and well…. We celebrated our son’s bar mitzvah [celebration of manhood at age 13] when the baby was only nine days old. I couldn’t imagine how I would manage, but many people helped me. I had thought that I was all alone, but even my mother with whom I’d been out of touch was reconciled to me prior to the birth and was even present with me at the birth. I don’t know how to thank you—this baby IS the thank you.

At forty-two, with numerous health issues, Rachel had been using birth control and was shocked to discover that she was pregnant. She had suffered terrible health issues after the previous fourth birth and had barely been able to function. Walking into the office with her precious Yael, she was exuberant. Baby Yael is her shining light through her darkness.

Leah and Baby Girl Michelle

Leah is twenty-eight years old and lived with her husband in central Israel with their daughter who was eighteen months old. Their marriage was in crisis. When Leah told him that she was considering divorce, he set proceedings in place within a day! He was in the process of qualifying as a lawyer, so she felt that she had no choice but to go ahead with it! She moved in with her mother but immediately discovered that she was pregnant and felt that abortion was her only solution. We thank God that she found our help online and opened her heart to counselor Laurel’s care and guidance. Baby girl Michelle was born in July. The baby’s father isn’t in the picture, but her mother helps her and supports her. Like our other mothers, Leah receives practical help through our Operation Moses Project which provided her with a baby bed, stroller, bathtub, bed sheets and monthly gift cards to cover the costs of the diapers, formula and other baby products. Leah sent her blessings to all who have supported her and been a lifeline to her.

Nellie and Baby Girl Eliana Libi

Nellie, twenty-six years old, lives in Eilat with her partner, who is from Nigeria and has no work visa. Nellie first contacted us when she was pregnant with her first child in 2021 and then sadly decided to have an abortion. When she found herself pregnant again, her situation was once again very challenging. Her partner did not have a stable job and has been dealing with depression. Nellie was working and studying at the same time. Seldom home, she was not able to support him very much. She reached out to us again, and this time when she was offered love and support from one of our counselors, she chose life for her baby. In May, Nellie gave birth to beautiful baby girl Eliana Libi. Eliana means “my God has answered” and Libi means “my heart.” Through the Operation Moses Project, she is being provided with all of her baby’s essentials.

Ranya and Baby Boy Ahmad

Ranya, twenty-one years old, is married and has two sons, a three-year-old and two-year-old. Sadly, the relationship between Ranya and her husband is complicated. He works only when he wants to or feels the need and does not provide a steady income for his family. He spends little time with his wife and his children, and she feels very lonely in their relationship. Ranya tries to keep herself busy with the children and keep her mind off her challenging situation. However, lately, her husband started to be violent toward her and lose his temper more and more often. The war in Israel and the difficulty it brings in finding work, even when he wants to, has brought a lot of tension into their family. When Ranya found out she was pregnant again, the situation became unbearable. Ranya decided to take her boys and find shelter in her mothers’ house. At first, she wanted to have an abortion, although this is very much against her religion and her personal beliefs. But after her husband became violent, she could not see how she could bring another child into this world. She confided in her mother and sister about her situation and her wish to have an abortion.

Thankfully, they managed to convince her that abortion was not an option. They said that the child is not guilty of the situation, and they would help her with everything she needed. Her mother could help her practically but not financially. A friend pointed her to Be’ad Chaim for additional help. In May, baby boy Ahmed was born. Her husband has come to visit and see his new son only a few times. This is painful for Ranya, but she does her best to give her boys all the love they need, and they are surrounded by a family that loves them.

Rina and Baby Girl Hallel

We have a wonderful team of caring counselors who rejoice when they see mothers cherishing their new babies. Here’s an update from Rose, one of our counselors in Jerusalem:

I want to share with you this story of heroic Rina. She is absolutely a tigress! She had been living in a women’s shelter after physical abuse and threats on her life by her husband whom she decided to leave together with her daughters. After leaving the shelter, she became involved with a man and became pregnant. He begged her to have an abortion, but she wouldn’t agree, so he left her. A month ago, she gave birth to her adorable daughter Hallel, which means ‘praise’, and Rina is in love with her. She is nursing the baby, something that she couldn’t do with her older daughters. It’s hard to do everything on her own, but she is incredibly happy that she brought Hallel into the world.

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