Our annual 3-day weekend gives parents a brief respite from the grayness of winter and from the weight of having a child sick with cancer - along with everything else that this difficult situation might cause.

ZM’s Support Groups for parents of cancer-stricken do much to contribute to the parents’ ability to cope with the many challenges they must face when a family has a child with cancer. In addition to the many health problems their child now has, the parents must deal with other basic matters such as making a living and maintaining their family unit. Parents have to deal with the challenges of parenting both the sick child and their other children. The parents’ relationship - as a couple - is also placed under stress during this often difficult period. Parents Support Group meetings take place in the ZM Day Center, at restaurants, and in other pleasant settings. Guest speakers supplement the continual support offered by the professional staff that run and supervise the Support Group series. The 3-day weekend up north is the apex of the Support Group’s program.

On Friday morning, 19 couples gathered at the point of departure. Each couple was given a gift suitcase filled with many presents. The mothers were “spoiled” with a beauty kit from the “Ahava” cosmetics company, which specializes in health-products from the Dead Sea. The suitcases came filled with other useful and attractive presents - beautiful soft blankets, cakes, beverages and other “goodies” to enjoy while on the road.

Traveling up north, the group enjoyed the breath-taking scenery of the Judean Desert and the Jordan River Valley, now colored in their unique, wintry green shades. One of the families contributed to the lovely “flavor” of the trip by bringing freshly cut vegetables and fresh dates. These treats were eaten together with the rich assortment of other fine food which ZM had packed for the trip.

The first “stop-off” was at a museum commemorating the old settlement of “Gesher” located next to the Jordan River. A riveting audio-visual presentation told the interesting story behind the development of the Gesher community. The group then proceeded to the “Kinnar Classic” Hotel situated on the Kinneret - the Sea of Galilee. The relaxation of the Sabbath day, known as “the arrival of the Sabbath Queen - Shabbat Ha-Malkah” - was welcomed by all. True cohesiveness was felt by all the parents - whether they are secular, or religiously observant - as they sat down together to enjoy the festive Friday night dinner. Delightful food was enhanced by wines and beverages which were brought especially from Jerusalem. Parents relaxed and chatted with each other about every topic “under the sun.”

After the festive Sabbath meal, the evening program was opened with a talk by Rabbi Eldad Gottel, the Chaplain of Israel’s Border Police, who for many years has been giving lectures on Torah topics to ZM’s “Sherut Leumi” volunteers. The parents were fascinated by Rav Gottel’s words of wisdom, and a lively discussion followed. Following the first day’s exciting program filled with fresh air, beautiful scenery, joyful atmosphere and new ideas - everyone enjoyed a good night’s sleep.

On Saturday, everyone enjoyed sitting together and conversing during the festive Shabbat meal. Taking a leisurely walk down to the shores of Lake Kinneret added to the relaxing atmosphere which had been created. After the Sabbath ended, the group was taken for a night-time outing to holy sites around Tiberias - to the tombs of Rabbi Shimon Bar-Yochai and Rabbi Meir Ba’al Haness, where one can pray and make personal supplications. The evening was capped by another social gathering and party - a “Melaveh Malkah” celebration which “escorts the Sabbath Queen” at the conclusion of the Sabbath.

Sunday morning began with a healthy and appetizing breakfast buffet. The group then climbed onto jeeps for a jaunty ride along the rivers and streams of the Golan Heights. The jeeps’ passengers were surrounded by magnificent, watery scenery everywhere they went. The jeep trip was a real “treat for sore eyes.” A luxurious hotel lunch followed. It was a “miracle” that anybody still had any room left to eat more food ….

Following this festive luncheon, the parents traveled back home with revitalized energies, pleasurable feelings and renewed strength. A long weekend like this helps the parents to cope better and gives them reinforced strength which enables them to help their child to overcome his illness.