In January 1995, just a few months after arriving in their new country,
Irena was diagnosed as having cancer. The fatal disease took its toll quickly
and within a month, Robert was orphaned. Robert's elderly grandparents were
his only living family, and they undertook to raise him.
Aging and alone, heartbroken from the loss of their only child, they decided
to move to Ariel, where they had some friends. It would not be easy for them
to raise such a young child at their age and they hoped that in Ariel, they
would find the emotional support they would need in the difficult years ahead.
Shosh Levavi, head of Ariel's Social Services Department, encouraged them.
"In Ariel, we try to meet individual needs. This is a community that really
cares," explains Levavi, "and therefore, the Ravitz's will find it easier to
raise Robert here. We will help them cope with their current tragedy."
Robert's grandparents are doing their best to give him a good home.
Friends and neighbors have given them old furniture and basic appliances.
Galina Ravitz, almost 65 years old, is investing all her time and effort to
meet Robert's daily needs. Benjamin Ravitz is 70 years old. He is now trying
to learn Hebrew so that he can find work that will allow him to provide all
the things a growing child needs.
The Ravitz's are warm people and dedicated grandparents. Robert could not
be in more loving hands. But their burdens are great. As they try to adjust to
the death of their only daughter, they must adapt themselves to their
new homeland. Their only income is their monthly old-age pension check -- some
$400 -- and they are having great difficulty making ends meet.
Robert will begin kindergarten in September and the family expenses will
only increase. We want to help the Ravitz's and pull them above the poverty
line. But in order to do so, they need twice the income they have today.
We are turning to you for help. Won't you become an "adoptive family" to
Robert and his grandparents? Your commitment of only $36 a month can make all
the difference.
Help Galina and Benjamin raise their young grandson, Robert. Celebrate
holidays, birthdays and special occasions with them. Become a friend of the
family and help Robert grow up to be a healthy, productive citizen of Israel.
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