Zichron Menachem

Zichron Menachem, whose name means “Memorial for Menachem,” is an Israeli nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children with cancer and their families. It was established by Chaim and Miri Ehrental after their son Menachem experienced cancer from early childhood until his death at the age of 15. The organization’s founding purpose was to reduce the practical, emotional, educational, and social burdens that arise when a child is diagnosed with cancer, while also helping families cope with the effects of prolonged treatment and bereavement. The organization provides assistance from diagnosis through treatment and recovery, and in some cases supports children whose parent is living with cancer. Its services are offered without charge and are intended for families regardless of religion, ethnic origin, or socioeconomic status. This universal approach positions Zichron Menachem as a patient- and family-centered support organization rather than a conventional medical provider. Its work complements hospitals and clinical teams by addressing needs that may fall outside direct medical treatment, including childcare, education, recreation, emotional support, transportation-related practicalities, and family connection. Zichron Menachem is headquartered in Jerusalem and operates across Israel, including in major hospitals with pediatric oncology and hematology wards. Its nationwide network includes professionally trained volunteers and permanent hospital staffing. The organization’s programs include support groups for children, parents, and bereaved parents; big-brother and big-sister relationships; weekly parties; special activity days; adventure camps; psychosocial and professional support; advocacy; a lending library; and a reserve of blood products. It also provides wigs made from hair donated by volunteers, helping young patients address an often-visible consequence of cancer treatment. A central facility is the Zichron Menachem Day Center in Jerusalem. The center combines educational, recreational, and rehabilitative activities for children undergoing treatment and for their siblings. Because treatment can prevent children from attending ordinary schools or participating in normal social activities, the center offers structured opportunities in areas such as music, computing, art, sport, photography, and journalism. Siblings can participate during afternoon and early-evening hours, extending the organization’s family focus beyond the patient alone. The organization also operates or supports a guesthouse and three annual adventure camps. These programs provide families with opportunities for rest, peer connection, and shared experiences away from the hospital environment. Its volunteer-based activities and donor-supported services are reinforced by affiliated Friends of Zichron Menachem organizations and committees in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. One U.S. support structure is identified as The Children’s Bridge of Zichron Menachem. Zichron Menachem has received recognition for its humanitarian and volunteer work, including the Israel President’s Prize for Volunteers, the Israel Prime Minister’s Child Protector Award, the Mayor of Jerusalem’s Citation for Volunteers, and health-ministry volunteer awards. Chaim and Miri Ehrental were associated with a Health Minister’s Prize for Volunteers in 2000, while Zohar Hala was associated with a later award in 2006. The organization has also been connected with an Order of Orange-Nassau knighthood from Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands through Mrs. Borie Maarsen. By 2006, it had reported assisting thousands of children and families. Its continuing identity is that of a charitable support network integrating hospital services, community care, family assistance, volunteer participation, and long-term psychosocial support.

Zichron Menachem was created by Chaim and Miri Ehrental following the illness and death of their son Menachem Ehrental. Menachem developed cancer at the age of two and lived with the disease until his death at 15. His experience shaped the organization’s mission: to ease the suffering of children with cancer and to help their families deal with the wide range of challenges created by diagnosis, treatment, hospitalization, and loss. The organization developed as a voluntary association offering support alongside medical care. Rather than limiting its work to one intervention, it built a broad service model covering children, parents, siblings, bereaved families, and, in some circumstances, children whose parent has cancer. Its programs are provided free of charge and are available without regard to religious affiliation, ethnicity, or financial circumstances. Zichron Menachem established a presence in major Israeli hospitals with pediatric oncology and hematology wards and developed a nationwide network of trained volunteers. Hospital-based work is complemented by community and residential services, including a Jerusalem day center and a guesthouse. The day center was designed for children who may be unable to attend ordinary school or take part in typical social activities while receiving treatment. It provides educational, therapeutic, recreational, and creative activities, with parallel opportunities for siblings. Over time, the organization’s program range expanded to include support groups, big-brother and big-sister relationships, permanent hospital staffing, weekly parties, special activity days, three annual adventure camps, advocacy, professional and psychosocial support, a lending library, a blood-product reserve, and wigs made from hair donated by volunteers. These services address both immediate practical needs and longer-term emotional and social consequences of childhood cancer. By 2006, Zichron Menachem had reported assisting thousands of children and families. Its work also attracted recognition in Israel and abroad. Awards and citations cited in reference material include the Israel President’s Prize for Volunteers, the Israel Prime Minister’s Child Protector Award, the Mayor of Jerusalem’s volunteer citation, and Health Minister’s volunteer awards associated with Chaim and Miri Ehrental in 2000 and Zohar Hala in 2006. The organization has additionally been connected with the Order of Orange-Nassau from the Netherlands. Zichron Menachem is registered as a nonprofit charitable organization in Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom. International Friends organizations and committees, including The Children’s Bridge of Zichron Menachem in the United States, help fund and support its Israeli programs. Its enduring model combines hospital presence, trained volunteers, specialized family services, educational and recreational programs, and donor-supported assistance for children whose lives are disrupted by cancer.

• 2006

  Recognition of expanded volunteer activity

  [1]Zichron Menachemen.wikipedia.org

  Zohar Hala was associated with a Health Minister’s Prize for Volunteers, and reference material reported that the organization had supported thousands of children and families by this period.

• 2000

  Health Minister’s volunteer recognition

  [1]Zichron Menachemen.wikipedia.org

  Chaim and Miri Ehrental were associated with an Israel Health Minister’s Prize for Volunteers in recognition of humanitarian work.

A free, inclusive, family-centered nonprofit support network that supplements pediatric oncology care with practical, psychosocial, educational, recreational, and rehabilitative services.

• Educational, recreational, and rehabilitative facility

  Zichron Menachem Day Center

  The Jerusalem day center serves children with cancer and their families, including siblings. It provides educational, therapeutic, recreational, and creative activities for children who may be unable to attend regular school or participate in ordinary social activities during treatment. Activities include music, computing, art, sports, photography, and journalism.

• Pediatric oncology support

  Hospital Support Network

  Zichron Menachem operates in major Israeli hospitals with pediatric oncology and hematology wards. Its hospital work includes permanent staffing and trained volunteers who help address practical and emotional needs that accompany treatment.

• Psychosocial support

  Family and Peer Support Programs

  The organization provides support groups for children, parents, and bereaved parents, together with big-brother and big-sister relationships. These programs are intended to reduce isolation and provide continuing support to patients and relatives during and after treatment.

• Recreation and family engagement

  Camps and Activity Programs

  Weekly parties, special activity days, and three annual adventure camps give children and families opportunities for recreation, peer contact, and experiences outside the hospital setting. Participation is part of the organization’s free support model.

• Patient assistance

  Hair Donation and Wig Program

  Zichron Menachem uses hair donated by volunteers to provide wigs for cancer patients. The program addresses an important appearance-related and social consequence of cancer treatment without charging families.

1. 1Zichron Menachemen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Zichron Menachem official websitezichron.org