It began with a short phone call to the Commander of the ZAKA International Rescue Unit Mati Goldstein. On the line, with a special request, was Jenine Shwekey, wife of recording artist Yaakov Shwekey, who manages the Center for Special Children in New Jersey.
“There’s a cute and very special boy who has a dream — to come to Israel. But there are some small problems — he is restricted to a motorized wheelchair and must be connected to medical devices at all times…”
“How can we help?” Goldstein wanted to know.
“[World renowned philanthropist] Rabbi Shlomo Rechnitz is willing to pay all the costs of bringing him to Israel. Jet911 medical transports will send a member of their medical team who specializes in international patient transport, and The Center for Special Children will send counselors,” Shwekey explained, adding, “But we lack the logistical side in Israel: coordination of flights, specialized vehicles, medical authorizations…”
“No problem,” said Goldstein, “ZAKA volunteers will take care of all that’s necessary in Israel. Let’s meet in 24 hours.”
After a complicated journey, the boy arrived at Ben Gurion airport on a night flight, after Chief Executive Officer and Director of Operations for ZAKA International Rabbi Zvi Gluck pulled off a complicated effort to get the US Embassy to open on Sunday to issue the boy a passport.
And so began a special trip for a special child whose wish was to come to Israel. It took only 24 hours and some very special people who were willing to do everything so that one special child could have his wish.
ZAKA issued a press release thanking the Center for Special Children in New Jersey, Jet911 for the medical escort on the flight, and Rabbi Rechnitz.