Help Is On The Line

“Darchei Miriam, how can we help you?”

Just a standard opening to a phone conversation that is anything but ordinary. Darchei Miriam is the flagship organization for cancer patient support in Israel. Darchei Miriam was founded in 2002 by Rabbi Yisrael Weingarten z”l in memory of his wife, Miriam a”h, who passed away after a difficult battle with cancer.

Rabbi Weingarten personally experienced the myriad difficulties faced by Israeli families when a loved one is sick with cancer. In a demographic milieu where few own cars, buses and trains make just getting to the hospital for treatment an ordeal. Keeping a clean home and providing the children with a hot dinner every night is next to impossible. Navigating the complex world of Israeli bureaucracy and health insurance is usually futile without expert assistance.

Darchei Miriam endeavors to provide a complete envelope of support for cancer patients in Israel with creative solutions to all of the above. Whether with a nationwide network of 2,500 volunteer drivers, providing free cleaning help, or advice about health insurance coverage – Darchei Miriam is there on the other side of the phone.

A Cancer Patient’s Pesach Prep

“I’m Sari, the oldest in a family of 6. I’m exhausted. I’ve just finished cleaning the kitchen for Pesach. The stovetop is shining, the counters are clean, and the fridge is gleaming. Even without Mommy – who is in the hospital undergoing radiation therapy – I’ve managed to clean the kitchen all by myself. Soon, Tatty will come home with all the groceries that we were able to buy, all thanks to Darchei Miriam.”

Now, before Pesach Darchei Miriam is gearing up for its annual distribution of Kimcha D’Pischa grocery vouchers. Sari and her family are one of over 400 cancer patients who are relying on the funds that they will receive from Darchei Miriam to buy food for Yom Tov.

Their mother may be recovering from surgery, their father may be undergoing chemo, but Darchei Miriam is there to provide them with food for true Simchas Yom Tov.

How You Can Help

Each family receives at least 2000 shekel in grocery vouchers to purchase food for Yom Tov (about $555). This is a significant sum that can relieve the financial stress of families battling cancer this Pesach. You can be a part of providing cancer patients and their families with the means to buy food for Yom Tov, by donating here.

Sari, and so many others like her, are counting on you.