This year, I cannot find the words. On 9 Av 5770 (July 20, 2010,) out of the blue, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thank God, I am fine. I remember in 2010 thinking about 2020 as if the number itself was a mirage, a miracle. And, here we are. I am very...
Nine years ago, on the fast of Tisha B'Av, 5770, on the saddest day of the Jewish year, I received news that paralleled the mood of the day. Out of the blue, I was newly diagnosed with breast cancer. My personal situation mirrored the historic catastrophes that...
The first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 1, coincides with the last day of the cycle of Jewish holidays this year, (the Jewish New Year, Yom Kippur and the festival of Sukkot.) There is a connection here that is worth noting. It is customary to read the...
Each year, at about this time, I come here to write a more personal note. On Tuesday, July 31st, Tisha B'Av, the Fast of the Ninth of the Hebrew month of Av, I’ll mark seven years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Seven years! I've changed in the seven years,...
Memorial Day in Israel (beginning at sundown tonight, April 30th,) is a somber time that is almost universally observed. Most people know someone who has been touched by loss in this young, small country. Businesses will...
On July 20, 2010, my life was turned upside down by a diagnosis, out of the blue, of breast cancer. I will never forget the feeling of complete devastation upon hearing the news that day. I had been fasting, as it was Tisha B'Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of...
(Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem, 1630, Rembrandt van Rijn) FIVE YEARS… Five years ago, on July 20, 2010, which coincided with the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av, the saddest day in the Jewish calendar, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The day of...
The Lemonade Fund is deeply saddened to report the passing of our wonderful friend and supporter, Etana Gordon Friedman, Etana Sara bat Hadassah. As a breast cancer patient herself, Etana helped the Lemonade fund assist impoverished Israeli breast cancer patients. She...
The Lemonade Fund just passed the 3 year mark! To date, 259,000 shekels in grants have been given to Israeli breast cancer patients, 113 women and 1 man, who are in financial crisis due to the their illness. One of our most recent grants went to H., a 57 year old...
"God, you have drawn me up and not let my enemies rejoice over me. My God, I cried out to you and you healed me." (Psalm 30) It would be easy to be depressed about what has been happening in Israel lately. We are being attacked, within our borders, and we are doing...