Over 1000 people enjoyed an evening of inspiration and entertainment in support of Refuah V’Chesed, an organization that provides guidance, emotional and physical support for patients and their families in time of need.
About Refuah V’Chesed
Lately re-branded as the “Montreal Centre for Health and Care,” the volunteer based organization provides many medical, hospitality and transport services to patients and their families Refuah V’Chesed has received over 40,000 calls over the last year. The organization is directed by a board of prestigious people and a medical advisory board. The medical guidance and support is led by Aaron Schmelczer and Aron Friedlander, who have decades of experience in the medical field, and the Director of Development is Avraham Apter.
Most of the dinner’s attendees hailed from Montreal’s Chassidic communities but there was also a healthy contingency of doctors and medical experts from across Montreal and the surrounding area. Free copies of a special printing of Mishnayos Avos (“ethics of our fathers”) was handed out as community members took their seats for a three course meal and entertainment provided by the Zimra choir.
The last speech of the night was delivered by Meir Mordechai Berkowitz, a dynamic speaker from Williamsburg. He shared the tale of a wealthy man whose daughter got engaged to the son of another wealthy man. But then the other man lost all his money and the wealthy man decided to call off the engagement. But the other man kept asking him to set a date for the wedding and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Exasperated, the wealthy man went to his Rebbe to ask him to knock some sense into the other man. When the Rebbe heard the story, he told the wealthy man, “thank G-d you are coming to me and not the other man.” He revealed that it had been destined in heaven that one of the two wealthy men would lose their fortune. He taught the wealthy man to be grateful for what he had, and to continue with the wedding as planned. “We all need to thank G-d that we are here enjoying this Refuah V’Chesed dinner and not needing the services of this wonderful organization,” said Berkowitz.
Berkowitz also shared an impactful moment he had experienced three years ago when he had been in a New York hospital caring for his father. At one point a Chesed organization delivered a meal to his father and Berkowitz watched as his father came to life from a note that accompanied the home baked food. Berkowitz reached into his pocket and pulled out the note, which he has carried with him since. The note simply stated that the food had been prepared warm. “I know the food may not be warm anymore by the time it reaches you but it was made with a warm heart that wishes you a complete recovery.”
Berkowitz concluded with the message that Refuah V’Chesed is devoted to caring for others and making sure that patients and families in the hospitals are not alone but supported by the staff and volunteers at Refuah V’Chesed.
Refuah V’Chesed
The Montreal Center for Health and Care Services
MEDICAL:
Advocacy & Patient Liaisoning, Medical Referrals, Second Opinion & Facilitation/Guidance Palliative Care, End of Life Ethics, Mental Health Help, Montreal & Tosh Test Center (Blood Tests, Speciment, Rapid Cultures, Vaccinations, Yom Tov Doctors, Throat cultures in the Countries), Annual Health Screenings, Health seminars, Medical Equipment Gemach, 24/7 Open Phone Lines.
HOSPITALITY:
Kosher Food & Shabbos Room Provided in hospitals, Yom Tov Meals Delivery, DVD Library, Mesamchim Music Project, Volunteer Megillah, Shofar, Sukkah services.
Shabbox in a Box, Family Apartments next to hospitals.
TRANSPORTATION:
Chesed on Wheels; Rides to & from area hospitals, Ambulette Patient Transport for wheelchair bound patients, Emergency Transfers cross-border, Patient Air Transfers.
To donate call 514 357 2167, Ext 102 or visit www.themontrealcenter.org
