TORONTO – The sound of jingling bells, Middle Eastern music and laughter filled the top floor of Toronto’s Zionist Centre recently as women and girls of all ages, sizes and fitness levels learned to belly dance at a fundraiser for Yad Sarah, Israel’s largest volunteer-based charity.

“This hafla (belly dance class) is something that I thought women might enjoy,” said Arlene Weisbart, director of Canadian Friends of Yad Sarah, which is now in its third year of operation. “We’ll exercise, spiritually and physically heal ourselves, and at the same time, we’re helping other people.”
The one-hour class was led by Francine Farhannah, a Toronto-based interior designer who teaches belly dancing at her home studio. She also gave a solo performance after the class.

“It’s my passion,” Farhannah said. “I want to give back to the community. We’re lucky that we can move around and shake, but if you’re injured it’s not so easy, so it’s nice that we’re able to contribute.”

Half of all Israelis have used Yad Sarah’s services. The NGO, which is run by more than 6,000 volunteers, saves the Israeli government more than US$300 million per year.

Israelis borrow items such as wheelchairs, crutches, patient hoists, hospital beds, oxygen equipment, cribs, baby monitors and breast pumps from Yad Sarah’s 103 lending stations throughout Israel.   

“We're primarily known for lending medical equipment but we do so much more,” Weisbart said. “Not only do we help everyone, but our volunteers are from every walk of life. We are a non-sectarian, apolitical organization. Our primary goal is to keep everyone living at home as independently and safely as possible.”

Yad Sarah’s programs include: an emergency alarm system; home dental visits; transportation; meal delivery; drop-in centres; rehabilitation services; play centres for children; legal assistance; and help for victims of abuse. The charity recently provided bomb shelters in Sderot, Ashkelon and Ashdod with new toys and mattresses.

“Eighty per cent of all the funds we raise comes from within Israel: Arab Israelis, Jewish Israelis, supporting each other,” Weisbart said. “ And 20 percent comes from the rest of the world.”

Weisbart said her office also arranges the loan and delivery of medical equipment for Canadians planning a visit to Israel.

For its next fundraising event, Canadian Friends of Yad Sarah is organizing a reception at the Pantages Hotel on Dec. 9, followed by a group outing to see Fiddler on the Roof.  

For more information, call (416) 781-6416.