Ezer Mizion's volunteers went out to bring joy to the ill and elderly on Tu Bishvat, the date that marks the New Year for trees on the Jewish calendar.

Ezer Mizion's Kfar Saba branch recently introduced a new initiative: occupational therapy for dialysis patients at the Meir Hospital.  The idea is to help them pass the time and to distract them from the medical procedure they are undergoing, which sometimes takes over 5 hours to complete.

Thanks to a kind donation of flowerpots with dried flowers, project volunteers developed a special Tu Bishvat activity - decorating the flowerpots.

In Bnei Brak: Ezer Mizion's Food Distribution Service, which distributes hot meals to approximately 140 families each week in which a family member is ill or hospitalized, added Tu Bishvat kits to their regular deliveries.  The kits, donated by the "Maya", "Oneg Shabbat" and "Better and Different" companies were colorful and rich, and they warmed the hearts of their recipients.  In addition, fruit baskets were given to the women at the Ezer Mizion rehabilitative kitchen as a gift and in recognition of their activities.

In Oranit, Ezer Mizion's guest home for children with cancer, a special Tu Bishvat party was held with the children and their families.  Assaf Ashtar, a celebrity loved by the children, emceed the event, blessed the fruit and sang Hebrew songs with the guests.  The party looked like a true production: the hall was decorated and the guests felt that they were in the middle of a forest, with the pillars covered with greenery and plants placed everywhere.  The participants enjoyed various activities and creativity stations.

Tu Bishvat was also noted at "Beit Rivka" Rehabilitation Hospital with a fruit feast and distribution of flowers to the patients, this time by students from the high school yeshiva in Givat Shmuel.  Similar gestures were carried out in Jerusalem, at the "Herzog" hospital for the mentally ill, in Kfar Saba, at the geriatric ward at the "Geller" Center, senior activity clubs in Tel Aviv and in the secured residential centers in Holon and Bat Yam.  In addition, Tu Bishvat parties were held at the Abarabanel, Meir, Tel HaShomer and Beilinson Hospitals.

The joy and excitement of those participating in the different events, along with the blossoming and renewal represented by Tu Bishvat, gave everyone the strength and hope to continue coping with their daily challenges.