Professor Farid Esack, University of Johannesburg
As a regular reader of your paper, I have often read about the work of Hatzolah. In my voluntary capacity as convenor of our apartment block’s COVID-19 task team, I have encountered the selfless spirit, the professionalism, and admirable commitment of Hatzolah to the Jewish community and its most vulnerable and frail members.
It’s an amazing and efficient model of caring and availability for those in need. Only Hashem can intervene between life and death, but Hatzolah ensures everything in between that’s humanly possible to make this inevitable transition a dignified one, and that the bereaved family (and carers of those who pass on) are cared for so that the bereaved can actually have the space to mourn.
I can only add my voice to those who urge that the community digs deep into their pockets and extends – even accelerates – their support for these instruments of Hashem to ease human suffering.
