TESTIMONIALS

It is always a great compliment and encouragement for the staff and management of Beth Protea to receive letters from families and we wish to share some of these with you.

December 2009

On behalf of my family and myself, I would like to thank you and all those involved for your assistance in enabling my parents to spend the golden years of their lives in the comfort of the wonderful, nurturing and enjoyable environment that is Beth Protea.

The contentment and happiness of these two grand old people, in their latter years, is a vindication of the dream of those visionaries who believed that ex Southern Africans, living in Israel should, in their old age, be able to see out their years in comfort and care.

Having been intimately involved with the staff of Beth Protea over some ten years, I have no hesitation in lauding their praises as a highly competent, devoted and caring group of dedicated people, who must rank amongst the very best in Israel when it comes to looking after the aged.

Some retirement homes may be more luxurious in their technical features, but from the outstanding director, Lynn Lochoff, to the medical staff, the care-givers and organizational and social personnel, Beth Protea, in my humble opinion, is unsurpassed for the loving care it provides to its residents.

With deep appreciation.

August 2006

Dear Lynn, Tamar, Amit and all the wonderful team members,

Even in our mother tongue, we can't find words to express our heartfelt thanks for the wonderful warmth and kindness shown to us when Mom was in hospital.

You cannot possibly imagine the comfort and relief that we felt after having spent sleepless nights and stressful days in and out of bomb shelters, and then having the good luck and privilege of being able to really rest in a quiet place of safety!

The thought that we might have had to travel backwards and forwards - to and from Manof, had we not been offered your accommodation - after being at the Meir Hospital with Mom for all of her wakeful hours ... we simply would not have coped, as we were mentally and physically exhausted.

Baruch Hashem, our son is back from Lebanon , and however unlikely it would appear, we pray for and dream of peace. If we don't continue to hope and dream, then what's the point of carrying on?

May we take this opportunity of wishing you and your loved ones a happy New Year and well over the Fast. May the year bring you good people good health, happiness, success in all your ventures, great joy from your families and all you wish yourselves.

Our sincere, heartfelt thanks once again, and please convey this to all who were involved in organizing the accommodation for us, and indeed, for the other fortunate folks who came to Beth Protea to escape from the horrors which took place in the north of our country. It was a beautiful gesture which we will never forget.

Sincerely,
Mervyn and Desiree Galansky

August 21, 2006

Dear Lynn, Tamar, Simona and all the Staff,

We would like to thank you most sincerely for opening your home to us and welcoming us so warmly during the recent fighting in the north.

We don’t have the words to describe the love, solidarity, caring, support and help that was showered on us from the day we arrived until the day we left. We are full of admiration and amazement at your wonderful facility, so well kept and aiming always at the welfare of all.

Beth Protea is a real home that knows how to open its doors in hard times to those who need help.

We wish you all a long healthy life filled with peace and quiet. We feel enriched by the experience of having been given shelter in your home during these difficult times.

The Avidan family

February 2004

“I never believed that I would one day walk into Gan Eden when I was still alive. But it happened to me when I walked into Beth Protea.

When I arrived with my few belongings I was welcomed and was so thrilled and excited and felt like a little girl attending her first birthday party. I found myself telling everyone I met how happy I was to be there.

Then I was taken to my beautiful new flat and I stood there and said please pinch me – I cannot believe this is happening to me and that it’s just not some dream.

So there I sat on my one and only piece of furniture and suddenly my flat was transformed – a bed, a table and much, much more appeared and I just stared and said to myself – “I’m Home!”

I had a good night’s sleep and next morning I awoke to find flowers and messages of welcome from residents I had never met before.

I am so happy here, and each day my smile gets larger and larger and I hope that the wonderful words said to me come true “Everyone who puts a foot into Beth Protea gets an extra 10 year’s bonus” and I look forward to every one of those years.

I cannot find sufficient words to say “Thank You” to you all who have made me feel so welcome.”

June 2003

“Beth Protea is our home and our family. This means more than one can express in words, for it means LIVING, not just existing. It means NEVER being alone. It means LOVE and SECURITY, come what may.”

Excerpts from various letters received from residents families

November 2003

“We want to thank you and all the staff for the kindness shown to my mother during the time she was at Beth Protea.”

There she found herself in a warm, caring environment. The friendliness and laughter and particularly the physical tenderness shown by the staff were truly amazing. She thoroughly enjoyed being with people and even, to her surprise, really enjoyed the arts and crafts.

But more than anything else, she was appreciative of the nursing care which she needed more and more as time passed. The sensitivity, physical warmth and tenderness shown by the nurses and aides made her dependency much easier.

Spending so much time at Beth Protea made me realize how difficult geriatric nursing is and made me appreciate what a wonderful place it is. The unending patience and compassion shown by the staff are absolutely incredible.

It isn’t easy to put into words our appreciation and affection for Beth Protea. Although mom was only with you for 7 months, Beth Protea, both as an institution and as wonderful individuals, became a very important part of our lives. We consider ourselves blessed to have had the opportunity to meet you and to benefit from the wonderful work you are doing.”

May 2003

“Never did I ever dream that both my parents would live such long and fruitful years. I can only attribute these extra years to the fact that they lived their twilight years in the embrace and safety of Beth Protea.”

November 2002

“It is difficult to find words that would appropriately reflect my profound appreciation for the help Keren Beth Protea gave my mother which enabled her to enjoy the last 5 years of her life. There is no way she would have been able to afford to live at Beth Protea without your assistance. Keren Beth Protea is so unique in that it enables residents with limited (or no) means to maintain their dignity and find fulfillment in the last years of their lives.

My mother took advantage of everything Beth Protea had to offer with its rich cultural and social program. I will always be grateful to Keren Beth Protea and will continue to be a “Friend of Beth Protea” with annual donations.”

October 2002

“We feel truly blessed that our darling mother traveled your hallways. To the founders and management, the employees and volunteers, who tirelessly strive to maintain this exceptional level of care, may your triumphs grow from strength to strength. May you continue to enrich the lives of our treasured golden generation. With your fine example yet again, the world can look to Israel for leadership in doing a job right.

I once glanced through a touching little book of sayings “What G-d Would Do If He Had The Money”. One phrase which stuck in my memory finished that thought with the words …… put a Disneyland wherever there are children. With the benefit of our families experience at your world-class retirement home, an entry I would like to add would be ….. put a Beth Protea wherever there’s an aging population.”

An excerpt of a letter that appeared in the Herald Tribune newspaper.

August 2000

“Bringing my elderly and infirm mother from two of Boston’s “best” nursing homes to Israel’s Beth Protea was truly coming to the Promised Land. Nothing compares to Beth Protea. With an incredibly sensitive and supportive staff, and a physical facility that softens and comforts the harsh realities of old age, it cannot be overly estimated or appreciated.”

Excerpt of an acknowledgement to Protea Plus.

“The wonderful assistance provided by Protea Plus must be acknowledged.

My father was in need of constant care and attention that became too much for my mother. My family approached Protea Plus and within 72 hours my dad was settled in a suitable medical frail unit. For a family who was really at the end of its tether, the help from Protea Plus help proved invaluable. Thank you so much for having been there for us, we feel ever indebted.”