Visitors from overseas have often noticed the superior care afforded residents at Israeli homes for the aged. Yad Lakashish: Lifeline for the Old, an impressive artisans’ workshop and gift store located in the heart of Jerusalem, goes even further by providing a truly unique opportunity to economically needy seniors.
Each morning, approximately 300 elderly men and women show up for work at Yad LaKashish, a non-profit institution, where they use their skills to create beautiful giftware for sale. In return, they receive a monthly wage, a morning snack and a hot lunch, as well as other benefits generally provided to Israeli employees. These include free transportation, dental and optometric care subsidies and seasonal gifts.
A special perk is an annual day trip to an attraction outside of Jerusalem in a safe and caring environment.
By using their creative talents, the seniors at Yad LaKashish contribute to society, and their self-esteem is significantly enhanced. Rather than working on crafts merely as a hobby, they produce beautiful products for sale, such as baby gifts, household and decorative pieces, jewelry and accessories, religious items and stationery.
“Yad LaKashish gives me life. To work, to paint; without Yad Lakashish I would waste away,” says an elderly immigrant from the Soviet Union who had experienced life in the Jewish ghetto under the Nazis. For the past 21 years he has been a craftsman in the silk-painting workshop, while his wife has been working there in textiles. With its diverse population from all over the world, including a large group from the Former Soviet Union, Yad LaKashish has become a major part of their lives.
“His story of overcoming hardship is representative of the history and life stories of many of our needy elderly artisans who, through our program and financial aid, remain connected to mainstream society,” explained Nava Ein-Mor, executive director.
Other departments include bookbinding, metal work, ceramics, sewing, embroidery, lamination and decoupage.
Yad LaKashish is also a popular choice among individuals and groups looking for a rewarding volunteer experience.
Founded in 1962 by the late Myriam Mendilow, a former schoolteacher whose dream was to promote pride and self-respect among the elderly, Yad Lakashish began as a tiny book-binding workshop for eight elderly men from the local slums. Israel at the time was a new state, and since it was surrounded by hostile nations, issues such as defense were of paramount concern.
Mendilow, concerned for the seniors, arranged for local schools to bring tattered library books to the shop for re-binding, which the men did for a small fee. The schoolchildren bonded with the workers – a group of former beggars – who slowly but surely regained their dignity through their work.
Today, hundreds of seniors benefit each day, both practically and emotionally, from Yad LaKashish, while providing a valuable service to the city of Jerusalem. Indeed, Yad LaKashish in itself has become a quaint city attraction in the newly gentrified Morasha neighborhood.
Written by Atara Beck, Staff Writer at United with Israel
Nov. 17, 2013
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