For some, Shabbat & Yom Tov is a time for good food and relaxation. For others it is a time to spend with family and get close to Hashem. For Yad Ezrah, it is the ability to take all of the above and share it with the less fortunate.
A dedicated group of Yad Ezrah volunteers, in an act of pure chessed, invite mentally disabled patients into their homes for Shabbat and Yom Tov. These guests are welcomed into a warm family atmosphere, fed delicious food and integrated into a situation of song, conversation and laughter.
This is in direct contradiction to their usual state of loneliness, apathy, rejection and depression. The experience is one of joy, inclusion and hope. Indeed, in many circumstances, the bond between the host and guest develops into a lifetime relationship.
As the relationship between the host and the guest grows, the patient becomes a cherished member of the family. This greatly enhances the overall spiritual and psychological healing of the guest and brings great satisfaction to the entire family.
You can help sustain these acts of kindness to the mentally disabled by donating towards the expense of these Shabbat & Yom Tov events. Together, we can change the lives of those who cannot do it alone.