Ezra Lemarpe

Ezra Lemarpe (Hebrew: עזרה למרפא, "Help for the Healer" or "Help to the Patient") is an Israeli nonprofit association (amuta) dedicated to assisting sick and disabled people. It was founded in 1979 by Rabbi Elimelech Firer, an autodidact with an exceptional memory and broad medical knowledge, who has devoted his life to this cause. The organization is headquartered in Bnei Brak and operates a wide range of services: medical counseling and guidance for patients across all sectors of society, loan of medical and rehabilitation equipment, ambulance transportation for patients and people with limited mobility, a rehabilitation center and therapeutic pool in Sderot, a rehabilitation center and therapeutic pool in Bnei Brak, a residential home ("Beit LeHaim") for people with intellectual developmental disabilities, a subsidized dental clinic, and projects for children with cancer, other serious illnesses, and physical disabilities. Most of its activists work as volunteers. Rabbi Firer himself has received an honorary doctorate from universities in Israel and abroad, and was awarded the Israel Prize for his activity through the association. The association has a broad "circle of friends" and holds tribute and fundraising events attended by Israeli industrialists, artists, and politicians. In 2018 a tribute event marked 40 years of Ezra Lemarpe at the Tel Aviv Culture Hall. In 2019 a planned fundraising show was canceled following a controversy over the exclusion of female singers, in line with Haredi norms. The organization continues to operate in routine and emergency times, strengthening national resilience and the home front.

Ezra Lemarpe was founded in 1979 almost incidentally. One of Rabbi Elimelech Firer's friends needed a medical device to care for his daughter; Firer personally imported the device to save on costs. Word spread, and the need for additional devices led Firer and his friends from the Belz Hasidic study hall to engage in lending and importing medical equipment. They rented a small apartment to store the medical devices they lent to anyone in need. They also began providing medical counseling after a family member suffered a cardiac event; during consultations with doctors, the need arose for advice and guidance toward additional opinions. Over the years the association grew, and today it owns several buildings in Bnei Brak, including its central headquarters, the "Beit LeHaim" home for people with intellectual developmental disabilities, a rehabilitation day center, medical equipment loans, a subsidized dental clinic, and an ambulance fleet for transporting patients. A rehabilitation day center was also built in Sderot. Most of the association's activists work as volunteers. The association has a broad "circle of friends," headed by Yigal Ahouvi. Tribute and fundraising events for the organization are attended by senior Israeli industrialists, artists, and politicians. In September 2018 a tribute event marking 40 years of Ezra Lemarpe was held at the Tel Aviv Culture Hall; the event was chaired by industrialist Ami Sagi, and speeches were given by Firer and Major General Amir Eshel. Performers included Yehoram Gaon, Tzvika Hadar, Eyal Kitzis, and Eli Yatzpan. Actor Yuval Semo filmed a promotional video for the event in the character of "Asher Ben Hurin," the taxi driver he plays on "Eretz Nehederet." In 2019 the association planned to hold a fundraising show at the Tel Aviv Culture Hall. Ahead of the event, it was publicized that the program did not include performances by female singers, in accordance with norms accepted in the Haredi sector whereby men do not listen to women singing. The publication sparked an uproar and criticism, and some singers canceled their appearances, claiming gender exclusion; others called for respecting Firer's way of life and holding the event as planned. Following the controversy, the association decided to cancel the fundraising evening. Rabbi Firer himself won the Israel Prize for his activity within the association.

• 2019

  Fundraising show canceled following controversy over exclusion of female singers.

• 2018

  Tribute event marking 40 years of Ezra Lemarpe held at Tel Aviv Culture Hall.

• 1979

  Ezra Lemarpe founded by Rabbi Elimelech Firer after importing a medical device for a friend.

Nonprofit medical assistance organization providing free or subsidized services to patients and disabled individuals across Israeli society, regardless of background.

• Medical counseling

  Guidance and advice for patients seeking medical opinions and treatment options.

• Medical equipment loans

  Thousands of medical and rehabilitation devices and accessories lent to the public in a wide range of categories.

• Ambulance services

  Transport for patients, disabled, and limited-mobility individuals who cannot travel to treatments by regular vehicle.

• Rehabilitation center and therapeutic pool in Sderot

  Professionals in all rehabilitation fields and hydrotherapy with advanced equipment.

• Rehabilitation center and therapeutic pool in Bnei Brak

  Therapeutic pool utilizing water's ability to reduce specific weight and allow movement not possible outside water.

• Beit LeHaim residential home

  Home for people with intellectual developmental disabilities.

• Subsidized dental clinic

  Dental clinic offering reduced prices.

• Children of Life projects

  Three projects providing treatment and assistance to children and their families coping with cancer, other serious illnesses, and physical disabilities.

1. 1עזרה למרפא - עזרה למרפאezra-lemarpe.org
2. 2אודות - עזרה למרפאezra-lemarpe.org
3. 3Ezra Lemarpewikidata.org
4. 4עזרה למרפאhe.wikipedia.org