London – When Debbie Halberstat’s son was born with a debilitating stomach disease five years ago, she asked Hackney Council to provide respite foster care on an occasional basis to help her cope. She was refused.
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“It was extremely distressing,” she recalls. “I cried for two-and-a-half years.” Eventually, Charedi welfare organisation Bikur Cholim D’Satmar stepped in to help. Her son has improved to the extent that she no longer requires support.
Charedi leaders fear there are dozens of families in similar situations who have routinely been denied assistance because they are less of a priority for social workers than children who are neglected. [thejc]
The Satmar Bikur Cholims do tremendous work, as this case demonstrates. That having been said, I’m not sure it’s the government’s job to babysit the kids for a few days just because the parents need a break, and that certainly is less of a priority that children who are being neglected by their parents.
When my father had surgery almost two years ago (which was during the MTA strike), Satmar Bikur Cholim was there. My mother was not always able to be there with him and bring Kosher food every day that he was in the hospital, but the women of Satmar Bikur Cholim were. They gave out sandwiches and drinks and snacks, and most of all, chizuk, that was definately needed. My father asked these ladies how they even know that he was in the hospital (it is a very big cancer hospital) and they said that they just looked up all the Jewish names on the list/registry (with permission) and came to every door that had a Jewish person. My parents were truly amazed! My Satmar Bikur Cholim be blessed and may they never know any sickness or health problem, because of the amazing work they do. Better yet, there should be a total refuah shelaima for all those that are sick, and there shouldn’t be a NEED for this anymore.
(My father B”H got out of the hospital within 5 days, and is now completely better, B”H.)
i am by no means pro satmar, but when my friend was in the hospital i saw the great work of the satmar bikur cholim and their kindness toweard her, her husband, friends visiting. it was truly a blessing having them around. may they continue their worthwhile work always. amen
Satmar Bikur Cholim is amaziing…nobody does what they do. And they do it for every Jew, no matter who, where, or the circumstances. I’ll never forget their kindness & support many years ago when my infant was very ill in hospital. He’s now a strapping, healthy Bochur going for Semicha.
Tizku Lemitzvos
It appears that the Hackney council, being a Government/sponsored agency only responds [to calls for help] where there’s an extremely negative situation, such as with neglected children and does not offer respite
in less serious but stressful situations. The Volunteer agencies, on the other hand, such as Bikur Cholim and Hatzolah (worldwide) offer much more valuable service and are more responsive to the needs of the population.