An Introduction from Ve’ahavta Founder, Avrum Rosensweig

Guyana, South America. Where? ​

That is the question many Canadian Jewish community members asked in 1997 when Ve'ahavta, a newly founded organization, launched its maiden medical mission to this country of less than a million people. 

They wanted to know, too, why medical personnel, both Jewish and non-Jewish, would travel to this very small, relatively unheard of and distant country.  

The answer was simple. The Jewish people promised we would help those in need especially the most vulnerable among us. We said Never Again after the Holocaust, interpreted by many  to mean anyone regardless of their background. Whether it was a man made genocide, such as the Holocaust, or a natural disaster, such as a famine or earthquake, we pledged that Never Again shall we remain indifferent in the face of human suffering. Ve'ahavta was established as a manifestation of that promise.  Guyana was the beginning of that journey.

So there we were with a team of twelve volunteers, including doctors, nurses and a pharmacist, setting up makeshift clinics in the rainforests of this land of thousand rivers.

Every day, we unpacked and later repacked thousands of dollars in pharmaceuticals from Jewish-owned Apotex and Novopharm and administered much-needed health care to 1,000 men, women, and children, many of whom expressed an overwhelming sense of good cheer and sincere appreciation. 

Kol Hakavod.  Thank you,

Avrum Rosensweig

Founder and Ambassador, Ve'ahavta

The drugs were graciously donated, and the team paid for this tikun olam adventure from their own pockets. The Jewish community was truly responding to the imperative found in the Torah: Ve'ahavta l'raycha kamocha (Love your neighbour as yourself).  

We enhanced many lives in Guyana, South America.  It was an honour to do so and discover our Jewishness in this process in the rural villages of Guyana, a land previously unknown by many.  As you leaf through the pages of this book compiled by Eli Rubenstein, my dear friend and dedicated Ve'ahavta supporter, please notice the goodness, gratitude and love so evident on the vibrant faces of our volunteers and the wonderful people of Guyana - and let it also inspire you to deeds of loving-kindness.