Israeli Soldiers Combat Loneliness for Israel's Elderly

Rivka, 80, sat on the sheet-covered couch in the center of her small living room and watched as Gil, age 18, and Yair, 19, put the finishing touches on her walls after a long day of painting. Laughing and joking as they worked, Rivka couldn't hide her pleasure at having these unusual guests in her home. "I wish they would come every week," she said of the volunteer soldiers, pleased as much at the company as she was with the fresh coat of light blue paint.

Rivka, from the Israeli town of Kiryat Gat, lives alone and has struggled for more years than she cares to recall. In 1970, she made aliyah from Morocco in search of a better life. She raised a son on her own; he now lives 70 kilometers away in Jerusalem and relies on welfare to feed his small children. Rivka had been left to fend for herself on her pension – until the local welfare department identified her as an ideal candidate for the new Beseva Tova program.

An initiative of Israeli President Moshe Katsav and implemented by JDC-ESHEL – JDC's partnership with the Israeli government to develop services for Israel's elderly – and the Ministry of Social Affairs, Beseva Tova helps meet the needs of Israel's elderly, 30% of whom are in severe economic distress. The project provides such essentials as dental care, home repairs, and subsidies for medicine, hearing aids and eyeglasses. It also develops employment programs to help those elderly who are able to earn a small additional income by working a few hours each week.

Gil and Yair are among the scores of soldiers in the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) who volunteer their time to repair homes through the Beseva Tova program; in fact, their Army unit has pledged to fix up 1,000 homes in the coming months . Other volunteers come from the Prison Authority, as well as non-profit organizations such as Livnot U’Lehibanot and Otzma.

"Rivka reminds me of my own grandmother," says Gil, looking affectionately at her. "My family comes from a similar background and things haven't always been easy for us either. She and I have built a connection. I feel really attached to her."

For her part, Rivka is grateful for the company of the two young soldiers who ease her loneliness, as well as for the fresh coat of paint on her walls, formerly chipping and in disrepair. She also receives dental treatment and medical subsidies through Beseva Tova.

Since it was launched in March 2003, 7,000 Israeli elderly in eight communities have felt the difference the program's pilot phase has made in their lives. Beseva Tova is slated to expand to reach 100,000 aged in Israel by the end of 2005.

Beseva Tova is implemented in close coordination with local welfare departments in each of these communities. Social workers perform needs assessments to identify potential clients, and determine on a case-by-case basis which services should be provided. The elderly benefit from Beseva Tova services in a manner that ensures the dignity of the recipients.

Though busy with his army training, Yair thinks it's important to volunteer his time with Beseva Tova. "No one should be alone or in need while we are in a position to help them. And besides," he says, smiling at Rivka, "I get more out of this than I give."