I live in Israel. I serve in the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) as an officer. We are currently fighting a war.

My mother who is 77 years old was lucky to meet an LDS family physician at the BYU center in Jerusalem. He promised to treat her condition at no cost.

Her treatment was successful and she was ready to come back home. At the Greyhound bus station she noticed her purse was missing. She called me crying because she had no other money than the cash which I saved for her trip.

She broke my heart because being miles away I was helpless of assisting her. I Googled Jewish organizations in Utah and found Chabad of Utah. I explained to her how to walk there — about seven miles from the bus station. When she arrived there, she was sent to the Jewish Family Services — Chabad said they were not in a position to help her. She was not offered food or water.

Again, going in the heat and barely made it to the JFS, and — the worst of the worst — she was not helped there either.

She was told they needed the time to contact the physician next week and then they may consider flying her in the U.S. but not home.

My mother had no place to stay, no food, and no money. It was Friday night. It was very hard for me to hear that. I would expect some compassion of these Jewish people for Israelis who defend their country. Obviously, my mother also served in the military since it is mandatory.

I arranged a loan with 32 percent interest to put my mother on an El-AL airplane and get her back home to Israel. I had no other alternative. All flights to and from Israel have been cancelled for 24 hours. I hope she will make it.

I know that Utah is known for its voluntary and humanitarian forces, I only heard good things about Utah so far. I would like to get anyone of the readers opinion, perspective and advice, please.

Mara Hirschfeld, Jerusalem, Israel

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