In his recent interview with The Jerusalem Post, Eli Beer, Founder and President of United Hatzalah, highlighted the organization’s commitment to tackling the social and health issues faced by Israel’s elderly. Talking about their vulnerability, Beer mentioned, "Many are Holocaust survivors. They have no family, or their family members do not visit them."
To address this, Beer introduced the "Ten Kavod" project, an initiative that provides critical care and companionship to approximately 700 elderly individuals. Beer explained, "We visit them once or twice a week, and no matter what their condition is, we do blood and heart rate checks on them." Through this program, volunteers conduct regular home visits to provide essential health monitoring.
Beyond the medical benefits, Beer emphasized the project's profound social impact, describing a vision where volunteers from the Haredi community, who typically do not serve in the military, participate in this form of national service. "Could you imagine," Beer remarked, "we have Haredi people doing the national service for us?"
This project, Beer said, provides a vital way for these volunteers to honor those who built the country, explaining, "If we don't take care of these people, it's a shame." By fostering consistent engagement, the project ensures vulnerable seniors receive the respect and support they deserve.
Written in collaboration with United Hatzalah