It was 6:45 a.m. when I arrived at Levinsky Park in south Tel Aviv, across from the central bus station. I was bundled up in a coat, scarf, ski hat, and gloves, opening and closing my black umbrella every few minutes as the rain started and stopped.
The refugees were just getting up. In the playground shielded by a large tarpaulin stretched high above to offer shade in hot weather, the men were rolling up their blankets and sleeping paraphernalia, piling them up in a big pile under some clear plastic sheeting to keep them dry. When I walked onto the playground I saw the play surface was old and soggy with large scattered holes. Later I learned that large rats live down there which come out at night, sometimes biting the refugees sleeping there.
To read the rest of this post, go to http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/from-africa-to-tel-aviv-part-1/
Seven Months in Tel Aviv 
Feb 29, 2012 @ 21:15:41
Allen,
I am appreciative of the information on the hungry refugees and the efforts made to satisfy their basic needs. In a world of abundance and the extremes of malnutrition, both hunger and overweight/obesity issues, we must make others aware of the less fortunate among us. The key is getting the attention of those who would help the hungry, clothe them and offer health care they need. As has been documented in famine studies (e.g., the Dutch famine during World War II), the malnourished pregnant mother produce offspring with low birth weights. These infants grow up with an increased incidence of hypertension, heart disease, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus. What happens prenatally has consequences on the new born for the rest of his or her life. The malnourished male can also produce “damaged” progeny. I hope you continue informing us of the plight of the refugees in Israel.
Jerome P. Helman, M.D.