In life, sometimes you are dealt an unexpected hand. There is an expression in English: if you are given lemons, then make lemonade. After a checkup by his cardiologist in 1991, Shlomo Hizak was informed that he would have to have cardiac bypass surgery, which would mean changing his entire schedule, cancelling his travel plans and lectures abroad.
He made his decision and chose a highly recommended cardiologist in Tel Aviv who took the time to answer all his questions. He shared a room with other patients whom he became friendly with, including a well-known chemist, Dr. Yitshak Blank. One day Dr. Blank’s wife, a well-known child psychologist, came to visit, and he heard them discussing plans to set up a Child Care facility for young children who were disruptive and needed special help, some of whom were immigrants. In most places, they are placed on medication, and Dr. Shulamit Blank opposed these solutions. She wanted to set up something entirely new which worked with the families and returned the children as soon as possible to their schools and communities. Once Shlomo heard this, he said he would like to help. After three days, he was allowed to return to his home in Jerusalem.
He decided the purpose of his surgery was so that he would meet these people. He helped them to set up a nonprofit organization and locate a property in Rishon LeTsion for rental, which was not easy, as many people did not want to rent space to a facility dealing with disruptive children.
He found a building that was a former Rothschild Stable and rented part of the space in the building for the school and raised money from the supporters of the AMI Center. In 1992, he rebuilt this area and began operating the Bnei Arazim Child Care Center, which was recognized as a non-profit organization in 1993, with local volunteers, some of whom were former teachers. This was an after-school program. The problem was that it was so successful; many parents came to him telling him they wanted to enroll their children, and there was a long waiting list to enter. He went to see the Mayor of the City of Rishon LeTsion who believed in this project and told him that, for a small amount of money, he could give him a piece of land to build a Child Care Center, but he would have to start building within one year or lose the parcel of land.
Shlomo hired an architect and, with the help and support of friends, built the foundation of the building. He became the Head of the Board of Directors and succeeded in building a five-story structure which received the recognition and funding of the Ministry of Education, Social Welfare Authorities and the Jewish Agency. This was an act of faith, and many times he had to pause construction due to a lack of funds, but as they say, the Lord provided, and friends from around the world came to attend its opening. For 18 years, he served as Chairman of the board; this act of faith changed the lives of many young people and families. Today it is a school which also includes teenagers and dormitories for those in need, but the goal remains to return these young people to their homes and families so they contribute to Israeli society. For this, faith, hope, and a big heart were required. This Shlomo provided, and the Lord sent the blessing.