By Laurina Driesse

Amid Israel’s tense war with Iran, the ICEJ Homecare team was extra busy this spring with added home visits ahead of Passover. Homecare nurse Corrie van Maanen also made sure a milestone birthday did not go unnoticed, as Luba turned 100 years old!  

ICEJ Homecare visits every week with Luba, a Soviet Jewish immigrant to Israel. During one recent visit, Luba became sad when discussing her upcoming birthday. 

“I don’t want to celebrate it,” she insisted. 

Luba has no family in Israel, after her son and daughter-in-law passed away a few years ago. She was looking forward to her granddaughter from Germany and another relative from America visiting to celebrate this special day with her. But their flights were cancelled due to the war. 

So, Corrie promised to visit on her birthday, and even brought two co-workers with flowers and balloons. Soon, neighbours and friends arrived, filling Luba’s cozy one room apartment with 12 people. Two friends arranged the party and prepared Russian dishes. What seemed like a disappointing occasion became a joyful celebration, with Luba at the center. She offered a short, humorous speech. 

“If you think that one hundred years is long, I can assure you it’s not!”  

Corrie later recounted Luba’s journey as a new immigrant to Israel. 

“She left the former Soviet Union as a pensioner, and is now celebrating her 100th birthday on Israeli soil. This is the essence of Aliyah for me,” said Corrie. “She arrived, learned the language, and made Israel her home.”   

The current war is extremely challenging for many of the elderly who cannot reach shelters fast enough. Even during Luba’s birthday celebration, the siren sounded, and everyone moved to the stairwell. She calmly accepted it as part of her special day.   

Elsewhere, Corrie’s relationship with Esther* began 15 years ago when she opened her door to a stranger. During a recent visit with Esther down in Arad, Corrie could see she was worn down with fear from the war. It is a challenging time for this 88-year-old independent lady. Corrie left her expressing her love, but how could anyone have known what lay ahead just two days later?  

Late that evening, a nurse-friend in Arad messaged Corrie to say she should check on Esther, as an Iranian missile had just struck the Negev desert town. Corrie immediately tried contacting her, but to no avail. Only the next morning did Esther respond. 

“Corrie, I’m alive, but my windows are shattered, and I don’t know what to do”, she said. “In my heart there is a big fear. I give you a hug.”   

Esther’s apartment was a street away from the impact site, but the force of the blast shattered her living room windows. Miraculously, she was in her bedroom and escaped any serious injury.  

Corrie reached out to her nurse-friend nearby, who immediately sprang into action. In under two hours, she had checked on Esther and cleaned the apartment.   

The friend sent Corrie a message that Esther was making tea to get her mind off the stress. “Drinking tea and letting her share about her anxiety is so the heart of Homecare,” reflected Corrie. “I experienced that day the true teamwork of our efforts, complementing one another, but mostly through the relationships built up over many years, showing we are here, and encouraging them not to give up.”   

That same day, Esther miraculously received new glass for her living room windows.   

Corrie checked on her again later that day and asked whether she should come to visit. 

“Yes, please come”, said Esther. 

So, the next day, amid sirens and seeking shelter en route from incoming missiles, Corrie made her way from Jerusalem to Arad.   

Meanwhile, Passover is such an important Jewish festival, but not everyone has a traditional seder meal to attend. Corrie started early before the holiday, bringing flowers to those under her care who would be alone for Passover.   

One recipient was extremely happy to see Corrie! 

“Come, I want to give you one more hug because you came today with flowers,” she exclaimed. 

“All these years of building relationships are meant for a time such as this,” shared Corrie. “This is a difficult time when Israel is in a crisis, but amid the crisis we can draw closer to these precious people. We are part of their lives, and are called to stand with the people of Israel, just to be there for them.” 

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*Name changed for privacy.