My father Morris Broder, z"l, was a general surgeon in Manitoba for roughly four decades and the most significant aspect of his life was saving the lives of others. I remember that he would perform surgeries at the Shriner’s Hospital on children, including those whose parents could not afford the surgery. He never charged anyone who could not afford the surgery– never refusing anyone at any time. My father would always help people and that was his true legacy. Because of this, I always look to donate to charitable organizations that would mesh with his core belief of saving lives. There is no greater mitzvah than saving a life, it is the biggest privilege one can have.
I first became involved with Ezer Mizion, a charitable organization that operates the world's largest Jewish bone marrow donor registry, in 2019 when the organization held an event at the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg. “Ezer Mizion" is a Hebrew phrase that translates to "Aid from Zion” or “Help from Zion.” Ezer Mizion’s bone marrow donor registry provides stem cells from matching donors for patients in need of a stem cell transplant in 50 countries around the world. Most of its about 1.26 million members are Jewish, and stem cell matches are genetic, with matches by and large within the same ethnicity. Donating to Ezer Mizion enables the organization to expand its stem cell donor base, sponsoring lab testing for new registry members and save more lives!
When my father passed away, I honoured his legacy by sponsoring a donor pool at Ezer Mizion in his name. My father’s donor pool finds DNA matches between patients who need a stem cell transplant and their matching donor. Ever since then, I have continued contributing to Ezer Mizion to further enhance the very real possibility of saving lives.
The Talmud says, “if you save a life, you save the world”, which emphasizes the profound value of each individual life and underscores the Jewish principle of the sanctity of life.
I know that my father would be smiling in heaven knowing that even after his long career in medicine he continues to save lives through Ezer Mizion. This has profoundly affected my spouse Libby and our children.
There is a vibrant Winnipeg donor pool at Ezer Mizion’s registry which has saved 11 lives so far. All charitable contributions made by Winnipeggers to Ezer Mizion Canada will go towards expanding the Winnipeg Donor Pool.
When the Israel-Iran war broke out on June 12, Ezer Mizion had 12 stem cell donors who were scheduled to donate stem cells the first week of the Rising Lion war. Every single one of those stem cell matches stepped up and donated. Special arrangements with cargo flights were arranged to rush stem cells overseas via personal courier. Staff kept working despite children being at home and spouses at war on the front lines.
In addition to having its bone marrow donor registry, Ezer Mizion provides a wide range of medical and social support services. It helps individuals and families facing health challenges, including those with cancer, disabilities, and the elderly.
In Israel, Ezer Mizion operates Guest Home facility for cancer patients and their families. Located in Petach Tikvah, near Israel’s major pediatric oncology centers, it spares families from exhausting daily trips for outpatient treatment sessions.
Considering the current crisis with Iran, Ezer Mizion leadership is operating in collaboration with relevant authorities (Home Front Guard, local municipalities, health care and emergency systems) to ensure adequate and appropriate services wherever needed. Ezer Mizion’s strength lies in their ability to act immediately. With a robust nationwide network, powerful infrastructure, and deep-rooted partnerships, they’re built for rapid response.
Authorities are turning to Ezer Mizion to collaborate on services for those affected by the war – not just because they care, but because they deliver. They’re tapping into Ezer Mizion’s capabilities so that people in urgent need don’t wait. They’re getting the help they need right away.
Offices for Ezer Mizion Canada are in Toronto. The executive director of Ezer Mizion is Rabbi Dan Rand, who grew up in Winnipeg and went to Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate. His father Otto Baruch Rand was the head of the Board of Jewish Education.
Ezer Mizion is largely volunteer run with low overhead, such that as much of your charitable dollars as possible go towards saving lives.
To donate to this worthy cause contact Ellery Broder at
or ph: (204) 999-6604
You may also contact Dan Rand at
or ph: (647) 799-1475
