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More than a week after an Avenutra toddler’s near drowning, her parents and the local Jewish community are giving the world a lesson on emunah – deep seated, ironclad faith, displaying their unshakeable trust in G-d’s ability to make miracles happen even in the face of adversity.
As previously reported on VIN News, two year old Leini Ezra was taken to Hollywood’s Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital on April 6th after she was discovered at the bottom of the family pool. The toddler has been on life support since that time, and her father, Shlomi Ezra, called on the public to pray for her recovery. Several hundred people heeded that call, gathering at the hospital each night, with local media capturing footage of the group joining together in communal prayer.
Over the past week, the number of people flocking to Joe DiMaggio children’s hospital has only grown, with international superstar Gad Elbaz showing up last night to head up the group who continue to beseech G-d for a miracle. Footage posted to Elbaz’s Instagram stories shows hundreds of people standing in the hospital parking lot last night as he leads the prayer on a megaphone, with men, women and children responding in a single voice, affirming G-d as the supreme and omnipotent ruler of the world.
Veteran Local 10 news reporter Rosh Lowe (bit.ly/3vQk017) was visibly moved as he interviewed Leini’s parents outside the hospital, clearly marveling at their unwavering belief in G-d and the massive communal response that continues each night.
A tearful Shlomi Ezra described his daughter as the reason he wakes up each morning.
“She gives me so much power, even seeing her laying like that,” said Ezra. “I still believe I’m going to have her back and I cannot give up on her.”
Ezra’s wife Chen exuded conviction and trust as she spoke about the miracle she has full faith is coming, despite what is clearly a difficult prognosis for recovery.
“There is hope,” said Chen Ezra. “We have G-d. It doesn’t matter if you are Jewish or you are not Jewish. We all believe in the same G-d.”
“We need some hope,” continued Chen Ezra. “We need some hope. We need a miracle. And I believe, and I know … I know that we will get a miracle.”
The Ezras chose not to share details of Leini’s condition with Local 10, telling Lowe only that they are confident that salvation can come from G-d in the form of a miracle.
“We believe that ayn od milvado – there is nothing but G-d. He is the one that is controlling everything,” said Shlomi. “We believe in him 100 percent that he will give us the miracle.”
Social media has been filled with calls for prayers for Leini, and the Israelis in Miami and South Florida Facebook group has been posting announcements for the nightly prayer vigil at the hospital.
“Today we cried to the heavens and today we will cry even louder because G-d’s word is forever in the skies,” posted group administrator Boaz Edri on April 14th. “Dear community, please come again today and with Hashem’s help we will pray together for Heleni Orna bat Chen Chana and the nation of Israel. Only with your support can we triumph, and G-d will answer our prayers. The family wants everyone to know that you are a giant part of their daughter and their family. Come and take part and pray for a week filled with goodness and blessing for everyone, filled with good health and full recoveries for the sick of our nation, with blessing and success in everything.”
Facebook user Joe Zevuloni posted a reel of a Miami woman who spent an entire day distributing meals to the homeless, and act of kindness performed in honor of Leini. Another Facebook reel showed Moshe Elul, a childhood friend of Leini’s grandfather, dedicating a Torah in the toddler’s merit on April 9th, the first day of the Jewish month of Nissan. A third, which was reposted by Chen Ezra, showed a small plane flying over the beach trailing a banner that said “PRAYERS FOR BABY ‘HALENI ORNA BAT CHEN CHANA.’” Facebook user Maeyan Golasa posted that she hired the plane to fly from Surfside to Hollywood in a show of support to the Ezra family.
“Let’s all get out there a couple of minutes early and pray for her refuah shelima as this banner is flying above us,” posted Golasa.
More than just a couple who are living out every parent’s nightmare, the Ezras have emerged as beacons of faith during a time of turmoil for Jews all over the world. Seeing their determination and their complete trust in G-d is a much needed dose of inspiration as the specter of war looms in Israel and support for the Jewish nation continues to wane.
The public is asked to continue praying for a complete recovery for Heleni Orna bas Chen Chana.