Before & After

Peoples' lives are transformed thanks to donors and Yad Eliezer-the Jerusalem charity that covers so many bases

by Karen Reiffman

“Before and after”: you’ve heard the expression, so you know it usually refers to a physical makeover, like describing the way a person looks (think hairstyles between 17 Tamuz and post 9 Av) or a house pre and post renovation. Yad Eliezer is responsible for numerous Before and Afters every week but they’re unique in that they refer not to peoples' appearances but their situations. Straight from request forms and thank you letters, here are just three Before and Afters of the hundreds that took place this week alone:

From the E. family:
Before
“I need to elaborate about our circumstances. We are trying so hard to make ends meet but the expenses for our four year old Nachman, who has CP, are just overwhelming. It’s really difficult-we mamash struggle and home life is extremely challenging. On top of everything that’s going on, last month our refrigerator broke. We borrowed a tiny one from a gemach, which we have to return soon. But we have no idea where to get the money to buy a new one. That stress just adds to the anxiety we already have…”
After
“I truly must thank you for the brand new refrigerator! It just arrived today, and you wouldn’t believe the excitement and joy it brought with it, for all the members of our family. It was honestly a hatzala for us. May you and your generous donors be blessed for your kindness!”

From the R. family:
Before
“My husband has been unemployed for some time. Unable to find work, we’ve been relying solely on my paycheck, but as a teacher it’s very difficult to get by. Expenses in the home, even basic ones, are always out of reach. We just try to get the rent paid and sometimes can’t even do that. Now the bar mitzvah is approaching, and the thought of finding thousands of shekels for tefillin, or other needs for a simcha...it’s so discouraging…”
After
“This is our opportunity to thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for the help and support which you provided us, for the simcha of our son’s Bar Mitzvah. Baruch Hashem, you were truly shlichim min haShamayim. We simply couldn’t afford any of the expenses, but due to your generosity our home was filled with happiness-you took us out of the darkness and into light. You have no idea how much joy you’ve brought us. It’s indescribable...thank you!”

From the W. family:
Before
"We very much appreciate you trying to help us. We have no one else who can. As a melamed, I do my best to support my family but it’s so difficult. We already live with very little, and on top of providing for my children, we also take care of my father in law, who is disabled. My oldest son undergoes therapy-crucial therapy which is costly, and now with my daughter’s wedding...I don’t know where else to turn…” 
After
“I can’t thank you enough! I can’t fully express with words how much I appreciate your kindness and generosity, for helping us with expenses for our daughter’s wedding. The costs were too numerous and we couldn’t afford them. The substantial financial help you provided was like a lifesaver! I daven that you continue to bring happiness to Klal Yisrael and that Hashem bless you with health and long life.”

Before & Afters are incredible to witness and even more incredible to be a part of. Choose from one of our 20+ programs here and partner with us in a Before & After today. 

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