Community Magazine May 2021

all donations are welcome EFRAT - C.R.I.B. C ommittee for the R escue of I srael’s B abies Donations by credit card can be made through our secure website at https://en.efrat.org.il/ U.S.A. 1274 49th St. Suite 569 Brooklyn, NY 11219 Tel: 718-697-7022 efr at@efrat.org.il 40,000 children’s lives are being ended in Israel every year With $1,200 USD you can save a baby - Make the best investment in your life Save a Life - Gain Yours מידה כנגד מידה Partner with EFRAT who saved 78,122 unborn babies to date EFRAT video posted on YouTube. Viewed by over 900,000 his personal story. It had occurred 25 years earlier when he was sitting in his office. “One of the ladies working in the firm came into my office and asked me if she could take a few days off work. She told me that she was going to have a termination. I did not know how to react or how to convey to her the significance of what she was about to do. At that moment a slogan from the EFRAT organization came into my mind ‘Everyone can save a baby’s life’. You can help no matter who you are, even without a medical background.” ”I recalled that a while back I had received a pamphlet from EFRAT named ‘A baby’s diary’. I was very impressed by what I had read and on a whim I had put the pamphlet into a drawer in my desk. I gave this woman the pamphlet and asked her to let me know before she made her final decision. Initially she was hesitant but she did agree to keep me posted.” ”A few months passed but I didn’t hear from her. An opportunity came round and I asked her what she had decided to do. To my surprise she informed me that she had decided to keep the pregnancy. This is what she told me. ‘Every time I opened my bag, the baby on the front of the pamphlet was looking at me. His face seemed to follow me and I found that I could not go ahead with the termination.’This is what she told me.” The speaker concluded “Today this woman has two sons and the son in this story is planning to study medicine.” Dr. Eli Schussheim, president of EFRAT, heard this story and was extremely moved. “This story demonstrates how anyone and everyone can save a life. Look at the impact of this small pamphlet. Who could have known?” Dr. Eli Schussheim President Over the past nine months, we have experienced an unprecedented pandemic which has brought mortality, illness and financial loss to hundreds of thousands. Socialworkersreportariseinthenumberofwomenseekingauthorization from abortion committees on the grounds of their untenable financial situation. With no government support available, social workers have been referring women to EFRAT for assistance with practical help and emotional support, so that they feel able to keep their baby. As a result of the current financial crisis in Israel, social worker referrals to EFRAT have risenby55%. However, EFRAT itself receives nogovernment support. It is only the generosity of its partners that allows EFRAT to continue its life-saving work. These individuals have the foresight to realize that their contribution to EFRAT is the best possible investment. The bank notes that they donate to EFRAT are transformed into eternal life. With this support, EFRAT has been privileged to save over 78,000 children, some of whom are already raising children of their own. According to our current records, there are a staggering 423 babies on our lists due over the next few weeks! We gave our word to the mothers of these children. If these women decided to continue their pregnancy in the face of severe economic difficulties, we committed to providing them with financial support on the arrival of their baby. The immediate help we provide includes: a crib, stroller, baby-bath as well as a baby kit containing clothing and baby supplies. In addition, mothers receive monthly packages of diapers and food delivered directly to their homes for 24 monthes. The current financial year is drawing to a close and at EFRAT we are struggling to raise enough funds to honor our commitment to these mothers. I am therefore taking the liberty of turning to you. I know that you believe that the lack of money is no reason to end a life . I implore you to extend yourselves once again, giving EFRAT the means to help these mothers. In this way you will be becoming our partner in saving lives. Wishing you and your families a light-filled Chanuka. Please take advantage of the end of the fiscal year to receive tax rebates on contributions to EFRAT . Every donation, big or small, wil be gratefully received. Children bring light and joy Save us! This is thesilent cryof thousandsof Israel’sunbornchildren, imploringustohelptheirmothersbeforecripplingfinancial constraints drive them to end their pregnancy. Over the past year, we have experienced an unprecedented pand mic which has brought mortality, illness and financial loss to hundreds of thousands. Social workers report a rise in the number of women seeking authorization from abortion committees on the grounds of their untenable financial situation. With no government support available in these circumstances, social workers have been referring women to EFRAT for assistance with practical help and emotional support, so that they feel able to keep their baby. As a result of the current financial crisis in Israel, social worker referrals to EFRAT have risen by 55%. However, EFRAT itself receives no governmen support. It is only the generosity of its partners that allows EFRAT to continue its life-savi g work. These individuals have the foresight to realize that their contribution to EFRAT is the best possible investment. The bank notes that they donate to EFRAT are transformed into eternal life. With this support, EFRAT has been privileged to save close to 78,000 children, some of whom are already raising children of their own. At EFRAT we hear of many miracles that take place to ou donors and their famili s: lives that have been saved iraculously, women who have had a child after many years, etc. To us this is no surprise. My Dear Friends, I joined the EFRAT Organization in 1977. The scope o EFRAT ’s work relies ful n pr vate funding. H wever, I do not ask for contributions to the organizatio . Inste d, I ampresenting you with he opportunity to become a partner with EFRAT . This is the chance to save the lives of children and make the best investment possible, granting life to children, giving joy to their parents, and strengthening Israel and the Jewish nation. In the merit of saving precious lives of Jewish children, may every one of EFRAT ’s donors experience good health and blessing in their lives. Dr. Eli Schussheim President 40, 0 children’s liv r i ed in Israel every ear According to th Israeli C ntral Bureau of Statistics - 19,543 women turn d to the Abortion Committees 99.2% applica i ns were approved. In addition, an estimated ver 20,000 illegal abortions are performed yearly. All donations are welco me Donations by credit card can be made through our secure website at https://en.efrat.org.il/ With $1,200 USD (4,500 Nis) you can save a baby - Make the best investment in your life USA 1247 49th St. Suite 569 Brooklyn NY 112 9 | Tel: 718-697-7022 ISRAEL 10 Ha-iluy St. P.O.B. 6325 Jerusalem 91062 Tel: 02-5454500 | efrat@efrat.org.il The contribution is recognized for Israeli tax purposes under section 46 C.R.I.B. C ommittee for the R escue of I srael’s B abies EFRAT USA tax exemption number 22-3431457 EFRAT video posted on YouTube. Viewed by over 900,000 Partner with EFRAT who saved unborn babies to date The president of EFRAT, Dr. Eli Schussh im, responds on Arutz 7, to the words of Alon Schuster, Minister of Agriculture (Blue and White), who appealed for Israel’s birth rate to be brought under discussion. “I read what the Minister of Agriculture said and I was horrified. How is it possible that an Israeli minist r could replicate Pharaoh’s actions? This is exactly what Pharaoh wanted, to ensure that the J wish people did not reproduce. It is inconceivable. Since Pharaoh’s time ther h s never been anything like t is. There have always been efforts to destroy us but not to limit our birth rate”. Dr. Schussheim recalled, “80 ye rs ago w lost 6 milli n Jews and we came to Eretz Yisrael. For this? For an Israeli minister to say that we need to control our birth rate? Every child brings joy and blessing to a family. My answer to the minister is ‘ o did they multiply and so did they gain strength’ (Shemot 1:12). The Jewish people will continue to grow”. Schussheim conti ues with tears in his eyes, “It should not be possible for someone to get involved in the intimate decisions of a couple and of a woman. At EFRAT, our campaigns do not promote bringing more children into the world; we only offer support to women who are already expecting a child. The feminist movements in Israel sh uld be up in arms about the minister’s hocking statement”. How has EFRAT managed during the Corona crisis and in this tough financial climate? “Over the last year, we have experienced tremendous pressure. In these difficult times, there has been a 60% increase in the number of women who have approached us for assistance. Many women have been considering a termination, because they are or their p rtner h v l st thei job a d they are s ared that they will not be able to meet the expenses of raising a child. I am sad to say that many of these women have had an abortion. At EFRAT, we do not receive any government funding and we must independently support our budget. Thank G-d, we have somehow managed to do so. We have taken out loans and have done whatever we can to save every child, fulfilling the mission we have t ken upon ourselve . It is just inconceivable for a life to be lost because of a lack of money.” EFRAT has saved almost 80,000 children; is that correct? “Yes, we are approaching 80,000. This means that EFRAT has assisted almost 80,000 women in continuing their pregnancy. This number does not include the tens of thousands w o have been help d hr ugh our public awareness campaigns and lectures. I also think of those who did decide to go ahead with an abortion. Every year, 40,000 women have abortions in Israel. EFRAT still has a lot of work to do.” “We are leading up to Pesach now. Around 3000 packages of wine, matza, baby supplies are being put together for wome who have had their babies. Packages will be delivered directly to their homes across the country. To date, there has not been a single case amongst the 80,000, of a woman who has regretted keeping her baby; they are just so happy they did so.” Together we can save lives! Children saved through EFRAT 'Restrict births among the people of Is ael? Disgrace' EFRAT - C.R.I.B. C ommittee for the R esc e f I srael’s B abies U.S.A. 1274 49th St. Suite 569 Brooklyn, NY 11219 Tel: 718-697-7022 efrat@efrat.org.il With $1,200 USD you can save a baby - Make the best investment in your life Hashem’s Reward Save a Life - Gain Yours מידה כנגד מידה Partner with EFRAT who saved 78,542 unborn babies to date Donations by credit card can be made through our secure website at https://en.efrat.org.il/ 40,0 0 childr ’s lives are being en ed in Israel ev ry year According to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics - 19,543 women turned to the Abortion Committees 99.2% applications were approved. In addition, an estimated over 20,000 illegal abortions are performed yearly. Michal had 2 little girls and her financial situation was terrible. When she found out that she was due to have another child, she was already t ree onths head. She was t rrifie how they woul be able to manage financially wit another baby and decided it was not the right time. Her husband also was pressuring her greatly Michal told her close friend and her friend told her not to make a decision before calling EFRAT. She called and told the volunteer about her situation and her financial difficulties. Michal had an appointment to terminate the next day. When Michal heard th t EFRAT was willing to help her with the baby’s needs after the birth, she saw that she can actually continue the pregnancy. The next morning Michal woke up with a pain in her lower abdomen. She felt immediately that something was wrong with the pregnancy. She went straight to her doctor who s nt her to the em rgency ward. He warned her that she may be having a miscarriage. Michal and her husband sat waiting in the hospital for the results. She felt so strange, she couldn’t stop praying that the baby would be alright, the same pregnancy that she had been planning to end. The next two hours were the longest in her life. When the doctors told her that the pregnancy was OK, Michal was so appy that sh couldn’t imagine that she had considered otherwise. With the promise of help fro EFRAT, she was looking forward to having her third baby. She k ew that she would receive a crib, stroller, baby bath, first clothing kit and 2 years of assistance with diapers and wipes. The thought that she might lose this baby was enough to make her want to hold on to it with all her might! All of this assistance is funded only by private donations from people who understand that there is no higher mitzvah or better investment that the saving of Jewish babies and all of their future generation, bringing another Jew to Israel and causing happiness and joy in Jewish homes. 78,542