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Chizuk<br />
FORUM<br />
SHAAREI TIKVAH/ CHANUKAH <strong>2009</strong><br />
Mindy<br />
Oct 12 2003, 01:11 PM<br />
Mrs. Kahan passed away on Yom Tov. She was 96 years old.<br />
Mrs. Kahan lost 7 children in the war. She remarried after the<br />
war, but never had more children. She founded the acclaimed<br />
Satmar bikur cholim out of her own kitchen. Today, this amazing<br />
organization delivers food to several hundred patients a day in<br />
dozens of Manhattan hospitals. She didn’t leave behind any<br />
children, but left behind tons of mitzvos to call her own. Her<br />
husband's son related this amazing story during the levaya: that<br />
when Mr. Kahan passed away 10 years ago, he left behind a clause<br />
in his will instructing his sons, in the eventuality of their<br />
stepmother's death, to keep her yahrzeit as if it were their real<br />
mother. Ironically and stunningly, SHE PASSED AWAY ON HER<br />
HUSBAND'S YAHRZEIT -- and therefore of course, her yahrzeit will<br />
be kept.<br />
My question to you is as follows; not everyone is cut out to be<br />
a Mrs. Kahan. Or a Sarah Schenierer. Not everyone is made of the<br />
stuff to head organizations, to make a real difference in the world.<br />
Not everyone is made to volunteer with the sick, with children, or<br />
whatever. How many times do people even on this A TIME site<br />
write in essence that people without children are meant to<br />
accomplish big things and can leave their mark in this world, a la<br />
Sarah Schenierer. What about those of us who don't have the skills,<br />
stamina, money, or where-with-all to do any of this? What are we<br />
here for, and what will we be remembered for?<br />
Rochel A<br />
Oct 12 2003, 01:46 PM<br />
You must have something that you can contribute that would<br />
make you smile - when we give, we really receive so much more.<br />
Not everything has to be full of glamour and yichus. Think what<br />
you, with your life could do i.e.: teach kallahs, cook for older<br />
people.. (especially out of town i.e. out of Brooklyn), every<br />
organization needs people for so many things that make a<br />
difference. Calling for the chevra kaddisha, etc etc etc. It is so<br />
fulfilling, you must try. It also helps take your mind off things. I<br />
know after a 'situation' it is good not to have the time to sit and<br />
cry for too long. It's part of what Hashem wants from us: to be<br />
functioning human beings.<br />
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