Israeli TV Coverage 6 - Ofra Haza
3,035 views · Published 17 July 2009 · 8:16 · Indexed 12 October 2026
Channel: Ofrachai (Ofra Alive) עפרהחי · 2009 · Music
Israeli TV coverage of Ofra's hospitalization, Adar I 5760 (February 2000). Well-wishers flock to 'Ofraland' (February 17) - The waiting room outside Ofra Haza's hospital ward has become a shrine for a strange combination of psalm-saying rabbis, alternative healers and die-hard fans of her music, all of whom feel somehow connected to the singing star who rose from the slums of Tel Aviv's Hatikva neighborhood to 16 gold and platinum albums. The room in Sheba Hospital known as "Ofraland," is filled 24 hours a day with visitors from all over the country, stacks of blankets for people who camp out there all night and an impatient group of chain-smoking reporters on the "Ofra-watch," desperate for any tidbit from family members who have kept details about her hospitalization a secret. The latest word, announced yesterday by hospital officials is that Haza is still listed in serious condition and breathing through a respirator, but is now out of danger. She is being treated with drugs given intravenously and dialysis. The singer's husband, Doron Ashkenazi, has remained at her bedside since she was admitted to the hospital Sunday after a long battle with influenza. Her spokeswoman, family friend Michal Ratzhabi, said that Haza is being kept sedated and is unaware of the outpouring of support she has received. "The family appreciates the worries, the love and especially the prayers," said Ratzhabi, who said Ofra is a big believer in God. The family said they are thankful to the hundreds of people around the world who have sent letters of support to Haza's website - www.ofrahaza.com - and the countless phone calls asking for Haza's mother's name - Shoshana, to be used as part of traditional prayers to heal the sick. Prime Minister Ehud Barak, former Prime Minister Shimon Peres and singers Shlomo Artzi and Rita have been among the well-wishers on the phone, but the people who have come in person are not big names, just average fans, who come to say a psalm and tell her family how much she has touched them. "I felt I just had to come," said 50-year-old Yoel Grady of Ramat Gan, who has been to many of her concerts over the past 20 years. "My sister was in the army with her but I really feel close to her because of her music." A group of women approached the ward and gave Ratzhabi a phone number of a religious healer, who they said saved their lives and is connected to Sephardi Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzhak Kadourie. "All the know-it-alls have come here from out of nowhere," a security guard snickered, but Ratzhabi took the number and thanked them respectfully, telling them, "we can use all the prayers we can get." Jerusalem Post Internet Edition Thursday, February 17, 2000 11 Adar 1 5760 www.jpost.com Well-wishers flock to 'Ofraland' By Gil Hoffman www.jpost.com/Editions/2000/02/17/News/News.2823.html
