Saying Shalom with Quilts
Holocaust survivors in Israel receive handcrafts made by Atlanta quilters
Residents at the Yad Ezer L’Haver home for needy Holocaust survivors in Haifa, Israel, have been the focus of tzedakah efforts by a devoted group of mostly metro Atlanta Christians. For several years, they have visited Israel twice a year to do volunteer work for three weeks and bring items to cheer and ease the lives of people in a variety of circumstances in the Jewish state.
One of the participants, Doris Mintz, summed up the group’s attitude: “We have a heart to help people. [For example] Sharing our love, giving stuffed animals to children in the hospital, helping out at a soup kitchen, taking personal necessities to residents of a senior citizens’ home, helping with art and crafts classes at a facility for challenged adults, helping at a shelter for battered women. There are so many people who need love and caring, and that’s what we try to do.”
On their recent trip, five of the members visited Yad Ezer to donate a dozen quilts handmade in Atlanta by Shalom Quilters. In preparation for the recent Israel trip, Mintz had asked her friend Cathy Korotkin, a member of Shalom Quilters, if the stitchers would like to make quilts for the survivors’ home.
Shalom Quilters was started about three years ago by Dunwoody resident Pat Pugrant as an offshoot of the Atlanta chapter of Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Needlework.
“I asked if anyone liked to quilt,” said Pugrant. “Seventeen people showed up at my house” for the first meeting. Their first project was making quilts for a children’s playground in Sderot, Israel.
The group includes novices and experts. “We all come together with the common thread of Judaism. We try to do projects that educate,” Pugrant said.
The program was not just a success, it was a stunning accomplishment. The quilters made 12 quilts
in eight months. Mintz and four other women delivered the quilts in a quite emotionally fulfilling visit in October. Mintz commented, “They were so welcoming. They wanted us to talk to them, to stay and visit. We’d taken a couple of quilts last year and gave one to a very sweet couple. They waited all year for us to come back. You could look into his eyes and see the love.”
in eight months. Mintz and four other women delivered the quilts in a quite emotionally fulfilling visit in October. Mintz commented, “They were so welcoming. They wanted us to talk to them, to stay and visit. We’d taken a couple of quilts last year and gave one to a very sweet couple. They waited all year for us to come back. You could look into his eyes and see the love.” Not only did the women deliver the quilts, they also did whatever needed doing -- cleaning out closets and cabinets, washing windows, cleaning the cafeteria, even singing to the residents.
Shalom Quilters’ Pugrant was notified by email immediately after their quilts were presented to the Holocaust survivors and she spread the word to all the stitchers. “Everyone is committed to doing more to help this project,” Pugrant said.
Just before Chanukah, Pugrant was in Israel with her husband, Bob. Together they went to Haifa and reported back on their visit.
“We had the opportunity to meet with these Holocaust survivors [at Yad Ezer], visit and see a video created for the home’s 10th anniversary. One of the most moving things we saw was not only how they created a warm home for these people who have no place else to live, but also how it gives them opportunities to do things they never had the chance to do in their lives, like having a bar mitzvah. [There is] access to a Torah, a Yahrzeit wall, a Holocaust memorial and dozens of Siddurim (prayer books), things many of them never had access to. It was very exciting to us to see how happy the people were. There were people in their 80s and up who are cared for and provided with [for example] free on-site dental care. They have cultural events and birthday parties. [Yad Ezer] also reaches out and provides food for homeless people. Plus they have a children’s house.”
Pugrant noted the sensitivity of the Yad Ezer executive director, Shimon Sabag. The quilts were not handed out publicly. Rather, Sabag gave them quietly to those most in need.
The intention is to have Atlanta’s Shalom Quilters begin work on at least another half dozen quilts to be presented in the Spring when the Atlanta Christian group, coordinated by Barri Mallin, returns to Israel.
Additionally, the Pugrants, who have been involved with Israel Scouts for some 30 years, reached out to the Scouting community in Haifa to encourage them to visit the home. Students at Jerusalem’s Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies are being encouraged to knit scarves and hats for Yad Ezer residents.
“This is a great place to give support for Holocaust survivors who are making the most of the rest of their lives,” Pugrant said.
Fran Memberg contributed to this story.
By Suzi Brozman Exclusively for www.AtlantaJewishNews.com
