Editor’s Note: For over 30 years, Rabbi Marty Katz has served as executive vice president for Just One Life and hhasave been a Queens Vaad member. The following is an appeal to the community to join Rabbi Katz’s mission in Israel of bringing more babies into the world.
Dear Friend,
It’s now Chanukah. We hope and pray that you and your family are safe and healthy. As you can understand, our families in Israel need your support more than ever. Over the past few months, the virus has hit Israel hard. The Just One Life staff has been there to answer each and every call.
Deborah’s story:
I am Deborah from Jerusalem. I and both of my children were not feeling well when I realized I was pregnant with my third child. I just couldn’t see this happen to me. Laid off from my part-time job due to the COVID-19 pandemic and my husband depending on my check to pay our bills, we reached a point where we wouldn’t be able to feed our family. I saw my life crumbling in front of my eyes and all I could do was burst in tears, but the worst was still to come… Shortly later, I tested positive for COVID-19. Now facing a high-risk pregnancy, I was rushed to Shaare Zedek Hospital to the COVID ward, where I had to be in isolation. By now I was emotionally crushed. I felt helpless and was left to deal with all this emotional baggage alone without even the support of my closest family - until a Shaare Zedek social worker suggested I contact the Just One Life office. They were wonderful.
It takes $1,800 to save JUST ONE LIFE. Any donation will be greatly appreciated and will be used to help families in distress. Our vast experience has taught us exactly how to go about this. The human network and experts are all in place. The ball is rolling. But without the financial resources we need, it will never roll fast enough.
When an expectant mother is referred to Just One Life, our devoted professionals insist on understanding the whole story so they can quickly get to work. They’re trained to look at the big picture, see what’s missing, and gather the resources that can make a difference.
Counseling services? Financial aid? Job training for husbands seeking employment? Our mission is to make it all happen. At least that’s how it once was. But for many, the world has become a much darker place. The terrible pressures our Israeli brothers and sisters are facing have made difficult situations nearly unbearable. Just imagine living with “only” those worries. And now imagine adding an at-risk pregnancy and crippling debt. Imagine being unable to properly feed and clothe the children you have, and then having to decide whether to welcome another one?It’s not hard to imagine the level of stress that many Jewish mothers in Israel waiting to give birth must be facing. Many thousands of Israelis live below the poverty line. Just One Life has helped bring into this world over 18,500 babies and we will continue to bring in more, but we need your help. You have been there for us before, now more than ever we need your support.Every year, there are many pregnant women in crisis, most often due to financial and emotional distress. Just One Life steps in to help and empower these mothers through the crisis, so they can bring a precious Jewish life into the world. Please, help the children of Israel and their mothers smile this Chanukah.
Please help us ensure that no mother is turned away. The children of Israel rely on your generosity and support. We currently support hundreds of families and we’re in desperate need of funds. Please send your generous tax-deductible donation to Just One Life. Because every life is precious.
Very Truly Yours,
Rabbi Martin Katz
P.S. Just One Life has already saved over 18,500 babies! It takes $1,800 to save just one more. Any donation will be greatly appreciated and will be used to help families in distress. Like the 18,500 plus babies, we thank you so much! To donate online, please go to www.justonelife.org/donate.