Summer Retreat 08- A great success
Unlocking the Body's Creative Forces

100 women met for a single day to learn how to combat the cancer coursing through their bodies by summoning their own inner creative resources.

"Having cancer is about coping with change," explains Jenny Edry, Clinical Supervisor with training in cancer care. "One day your body is healthy, and then it is ill. And, along with that change in your body, comes change in how you interact with everything in your environment."

For the past 10 years, Beit Natan's bi annual retreats -- winter and summer -- have helped hundreds of women suffering from cancer find respite and joy during their ongoing battle with their disease. The theme of the July 2008 retreat, held at the height of Israel's steamy summer, was "Growth Through Creativity"

From learning how to open communication channels to a workshop on the beauty and poetry of song and psalms, from drama and movement activities to discovering how certain foods aid in the battle against cancer, these women realized that by unblocking the creative juices that were dormant inside many of them, this new 'road' they were on could be traveled more easily.

"It's largely about learning how to live life a little bit differently," Jenny reflects, "and flowing more easily with the changes."

The women also learned that they did all have that extra spark inside of them that could propel them forward and upward. "Yes, sometimes the battle seems overwhelming," Chaya Heller, Executive Director and Founder of Beit Natan, reflects, "but even uphill battles can be overcome and won when you apply all of your inner resources."

And, so as the women made their way to the Jerusalem forest accompanied by Etgarim, an Israel association of volunteers that promotes outdoor activities for people who are 'challenged," the hills at first loomed large for them. But, with their new found creativity, strength and belief in their own abilities and capabilities they did indeed scale those hills. "I said that I would do it," Judy, a cancer patient, "and I did. I made it to the top and I looked down and I knew that I was well on my way even higher."

Beit Natan Celebrates a Decade of Service

On June 23 in the Jerusalem Gate Hotel, surrounded by hundreds of Beit Natan women, friends and supporters from around the country, Beit Natan marked 10 years of service to the community. Mayor Uri Lopolianski publicly thanked and acknowledged Beit Natans important work, and acknowledged the Award recepients. The evening was emotionally moving and meaningful, as well as very funny and enjoyable, thanks to the extraordinary talents of comedienne Noya Mendel.

Dr. Tanir Allweis, Recipient of Beit Natan's "Medical Achievement" Award. Dr. Tanir Allweis is a breast surgeon at Hadassah University Hospitals who places great emphasis on reaching out to the community. Rather than being confined to the hospital and waiting for patients to seek her out, see seeks them out. Chaya Grodner, Recipient of Beit Natan's "Art of Living" Award. Chaya was the first to join Hatomechet's first training group for end-of-life caregivers in 2003. A cancer survivor herself, Chaya believes that you're only living when you're giving. Her remarks moved the audience to tears.

Edna Heisherik, Recipient of Beit Natan's "Volunteer of the Year" Award. Edna began by volunteering at Beit Natan's retreats and then for Hatomechet. Keeping up a steady stream of visits and contacts with hospice patients, she never let her busy family life interfere with her commitment to her patients and their families.

Beit Natan is grateful to these three women and all it’s volunteers, who provide a lifeline for women when they most need help.

Cotton Candy and Bubbles for Beit Natan

It's hard to imagine anything more dissonant with the subject of illness than kids eating cotton candy (yes, we know it's not too healthy), throwing wet sponges at sitting targets, decorating cupcakes, or winning silly prizes.

Hundreds of kids and youth in Har Nof and Bayit Vegan gathered for a one day carnival to raise money for Beit Natan. They spent weeks preparing the venues, getting prizes donated, tables and chairs on loan, and gathering up enough snacks and goodies to accommodate the voracious appetites of kids who come to enjoy a day of fun.

The Beit Natan "Kids Bazaar" began ten years ago when the neighbor of a family passed away from cancer. The children decided to do something to help, and they came up with the idea of a street fair. The idea grew, and now the younger siblings of the family have taken the helm.

This year the kids raised 10,000 NIS and we're grateful to them -- yes, for the booths, candied apples and tickets they sold, but mostly we're grateful to them for remembering Beit Natan's women and caring.

New, Expanded Patient Support Programs

Beit Natan's patient support programs will once again be starting in Jerusalem right after the holidays.

No matter where women are in the long process of dealing with cancer, Beit Natan’s support groups & workshops enable cancer patients and their families to move from a state of fear and depression to one of determination and hope.

This year, Beit Natan is offering five different groups, all kept small (no more than 12 participants in each for greater individual attention)and all directed by professional social workers.

"It's a pity wasting energy hiding the illness. You need so much energy to fight the disease that it's wise to take that energy and put it behind the fight." Edna Heisherik, journalist and writer, recipient of Beit Natan's "Volunteer of the Year Award, 2008"

Click current schedule on our website for our current activities

Major Grants & Gifts

Beit Natan extends its heartfelt thanks to: UJA-NY Federation which has renewed their grant for Hatomechet, a national Home Hospice Volunteer Program. Healing Divides Foundation, which is funding the second year of the womens health project. The next two years of the grant will be devoted to training more female doctors to perform clinical breast examinations . Susan G. Kormen Foundation for the Cure for the Woman-to-Woman program which annually contacts 10,000 women from largely under served population groups and encourages them to go for mammography exams.

Shanah Tova to all our friends, supporters, volunteers, patients and readers. May this year be filled with good health. May we all be able to enjoy the sweet taste of honey and revel in the glorious sounds of the shofar. May this year be one replete with support, kindness and a generous heart from all of those who surround us. And, may we, in return, be able to give to those who have given to us.