Grandmothers Knit Miniature Hats for Premature Babies: Praying for Growth

They are born prematurely and carefully kept in incubators. The heads of these tiny infants are adorned with woolen hats of various colors. These hats were specially knitted for them by the women of Rinahle's knitting club, who decided to embrace the preemie ward at Poriya Hospital, ensuring the tiny babies stay warm and cozy. The women of the club, experts in knitting, also care for preemies in other hospitals across the country, but they admit an extraordinary bond has formed with the preemie ward at Poriya Hospital.

The woman behind this touching initiative is Rina Pinchasov (70), a retiree living with her family in Moshav Kfar Sirkin in the Sharon region. Pinchasov raised five children and assisted her husband with his independent business. For the past seven years, she has been leading the project she founded—a group of about 30 women knitting for the community. "We've visited many hospitals across the country," she recounts, "contributing to preemie wards, cancer patients, and, to be different, now we knit hats and neck warmers for soldiers serving in elite units. So far, we've distributed boxes full of scarves and hats."

Social Repair for Residents of the Periphery

This group comprises about 30 women, aged 50 to 85, most of whom are retired. Pinchasov herself used to knit in her youth but stopped. "My mother Zilpa taught me the art of knitting," she recalls, "It started in my childhood, and during my teenage years, I knit a lot. At some point, I abandoned it; I didn't want to see the needles anymore. Years later, when the knitting trend revived, it brought me back to knitting.

"It happened after I went to a mall in Ramat Aviv with my daughter. She was excited about a knitted scarf, which was relatively expensive. She jokingly remarked, 'Mom, can't you knit?' I took her remark seriously and started knitting again. I began knitting for my children and grandchildren. Over time, the idea formed to start a women's knitting group."

About seven years ago, Rina turned her personal hobby into a social initiative. "Initially, there were eight of us. Over time, friends brought friends until we became a group of about 30 members. Today, we are a cohesive and active group that meets every two weeks at my home, from morning until evening, to eat together, knit, talk, and share experiences."

The women of the group come from the Sharon area, Herzliya, Savion, Ramat Efal, and more. "Most of the items are knitted at home by the women and brought to the gatherings," she says. Knitting is relaxing for Pinchasov: "It makes me feel good. Every free moment, I knit. For someone without patience, it can feel like a punishment, but for me, it's very soothing. We always have a new project, but preemies get special attention. They constantly need warm hats—in winter and summer. Besides, we knit on order, and everything is voluntary."

Pinchasov chose to donate specifically to a northern periphery hospital: "I live in central Israel, and I see what goes on in our hospitals. They are developed with budgets. Let's say when a rich Jew wants to donate, he won't donate to the periphery but to central hospitals. In the north and south, they have to fight for donations. So, as a kind of social repair, I decided to support the Poriah preemie ward, and so far, we've given them several boxes of knitted hats for the infants.

"We've formed a special connection with the hospital's management. We've fallen in love with the people there. Everything is done with a smile. We help as much as we can. I dream of finding a millionaire donor to donate millions to Poriah. By the way, we also have friendly ties with the Soroka Hospital preemie ward. In the past, I donated quality games to a gift room in a southern periphery hospital for the same reason—to balance and give to those less prominent.

"We knit miniature hats for the tiniest preemies using fine, special wool. We don't spare on this; we don't buy leftovers and don't skimp on yarns. We do everything so they receive a quality and warm hat. And the reactions? They're heartwarming. I get pictures of them with the hats—it's happiness."

Pinchasov doesn't settle only for knitting. She has already organized two fairs and managed to raise together 33,000 shekels—a donation for the needs of the preemie ward. Before the fair, the club women knitted various items in a range of colors. At the latest fair, 20,000 shekels were raised for renovating the waiting room for the preemie parents. Dr. Erez Onn, the medical center director, thanked Pinchasov and the club members: "Your mobilization for the hospital is extraordinary and moves us all." Maya Tzaban, the medical center spokeswoman and responsible for community relations, summed up: "The fair was organized outstandingly. I was thrilled to meet the club women, who are practically part of the Poriah family—we are blessed."

"Giving to Others is Good for the Soul"

Pinchasov enjoys giving to others: "Volunteering is beneficial for the giver. My approach is that if we've done good for someone else, we've gained. Besides, we enjoy the meetings, and the fact that we've been going strong for seven years and many want to join us attests to this. I can't add more because we're already a big group. We really enjoy ourselves. Connections have formed between the women who didn't know each other beforehand. Additionally, there are women who knit and bring their products without belonging to the group. Our spirit is voluntary; we work for the cause without accounting for who did more or less."

Pinchasov feels satisfied knowing she has comforted a small preemie needing warmth: "It brings me so much joy. Tears well up in my eyes when I think about it—truly. In one of the fairs we held, we had several leftover knitted blankets unsold. I decided to donate them to the homeless. Seeing their reaction was moving. They were more touched that someone looked their way than receiving the blanket. They sat on the cold ground, without heating, and suddenly I arrived with a blanket knitted by hand. It warmed their hearts. When someone sees you, when someone notices you, it makes you feel good.

"I am a person who looks around, observing what happens to others. If I can help, I naturally do. Recently, I was approached for a donation for a safe house for girls in distress—I responded. If there's an opportunity to give, I'm there. I look around not only in places of abundance. For instance, it pains me greatly that more isn't given to Holocaust survivors. They deserve more."

Besides hats for preemies, the knitting group makes hats and scarves for cancer patients in oncology wards. They have donated to several wards in different hospitals across the country. "Recently, I received a request through a woman I know to send a hat and scarf to a young man, in his late 30s, who fell ill a second time. For his first illness, he received a scarf and hat from us, and now he requested again. Is there any question? Of course, we sent it to him. I later received a picture of him—it uplifts my soul.

"Our hearts broke when we visited one of the oncology wards. We saw patients we weren't allowed to approach. It was tough. It hurt us greatly. You know that if you gave a patient a hat and scarf and managed to bring them some joy, you've done your part. One time, we gave hats to children with cancer. They piled all the hats in a heap on the floor, tossing them around, and jumping. I got chills from the spectacle. I was moved by what one hat can do.

"Any form of giving should come from the individual," she concludes. "For me, it's exciting to illuminate someone else. It's fulfilling. It's good for the soul. We pray for the cancer patients to recover, and for the preemies, we pray for their growth, and for all of us—that we'll always be among the givers and brighten the world."