Make-A-Wish Israel marked its 30th anniversary with a Rosh Hashanah fundraising appeal, saying it had granted more than 6,500 wishes to children living with critical illnesses since its founding in 1996.
In its message for the Jewish New Year, the organization highlighted the experience of 14-year-old Arbel Rot, who met President Isaac Herzog in August through its wish-granting program. Rot lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, according to the charity.
“This New Year, may we all remember how incredible the gift of giving is. Nothing in the world feels as good as granting a wish to an Israeli Make-A-Wish child with a critical illness,” said Denise Bar-Aharon, the organization’s co-founder and CEO, in the release.
A visit to the President’s Residence
Rot’s meeting took place at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on August 11, as previously reported by The Jerusalem Post. Make-A-Wish Israel founders Denise and Avi Bar-Aharon accompanied him.
After meeting Herzog, Rot toured the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, and spent a family vacation in Jerusalem, according to the organization’s account cited in that report.
The charity said the experience offered Rot and his family a break from the demands of living with a serious illness. Its holiday appeal sought support for similar experiences for other children and their families.
Denise and Avi Bar-Aharon established the Israeli branch in 1996 in memory of Denise’s brother, David Spero. It is part of the international Make-A-Wish organization and serves children aged three to 18 with critical illnesses.
The wishes it arranges include meeting public figures, taking family vacations, and experiencing a chosen profession for a day, according to its website. The organization relies on donors and supporters to fund its work.