Fw: [-aneinu] Important Information about Chayim Aruchim

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From: "'Chicago Aneinu' via chicago-aneinu" <chicago-aneinu@googlegroups.com>

To: "Chaya Miriam Wolper" <myysbyy@aol.com>

Cc:

Sent: Wed, Jul 23, 2025 at 11:07 AM

Subject: [chicago-aneinu] Important Information about Chayim Aruchim

I apologize for the length of this message…I would deeply appreciate it if you would take the time to read, It has important information that is critical to every Jew.

 

A large part of my Shlichus is helping Jews medically as well as to help them understand and follow jewish law during end of life.  Far too many of us have loved ones, family and friends going through very difficult health challenges. They may be at hospitals, nursing homes or at home.  

Unfortunately, through personal experience, I have learned that most hospitals make decisions based upon profit and managing legal exposure, rather than providing the best care to sustain life.  Certainly they don't understand what is involved in following Jewish law. It is very important to understand medical treatment options, their relevance to Jewish law and how  doctors, nursing staff and hospital administration operate to fulfill the hospital's goals. Very often this is at the expense of life sustaining medical treatments which are appropriate based upon either Jewish law or just good medical ethics.  There are certainly  some very good, moral doctors and staff at hospitals, however many feel powerless to effect change. Many can view a patient's suffering as a reason to withhold treatment and accelate their demise.  This could be from misplaced compassion or reasons which are in line with a hospital's economic objectives.  

For a number of years I have had the benefit of working with Chayim Aruchim. They support me in helping families understand Jewish law, treatment options and (unfortunately) the very dark side of hospital operations.  However, it wasn't until my mother, of blessed memory, got sick and was in the hospital for the last 3 months of her life, that I really understood the extraordinary dedication of the rabbonim of Chaim Aruchim.  Rabbi Benzion Leser of Chayim Aruchim made himself available 24/7.  He assisted medically, helped to understand hospital agendas, and to follow Jewish law during each step of the process.  He provided me with tremendous emotional support.  Seeing someone you love suffer and not being able to help them is one of the most difficult and painful experiences a person can go through.  However, there is a measure of peace that comes from following Jewish law and knowing that you are respecting and not violating the soul's journey.  To my mother's merit, I had the chance to talk with dozens and dozens of doctors, nurses and hospital administrative staff to explain Jewish law and why we follow it. Most had no idea or understanding of Jewish law.  Jewish law is compassionate, but it must be understood and put into context to appreciate. 

As a Jew we are not meant to explain suffering, we are obligated to do our best to alleviate suffering, however when following Jewish law it is important to put suffering in its proper context. Not that suffering will ever make sense to us, but to begin to help others understand why we follow Jewish law. At times it is important to "enlarge the picture" reflecting on the nature of the soul's journey. Much of Jewish law regarding end of life can start out seemingly relatively simple, however it is critical to understand once your loved one is in the hospital you may be bombarded by hospital staff about end-of-life decisions. This includes hospice, DNR's DNI's etc. The hospital staff are experts at exploiting a family's vulnerability when a loved one is admitted. Chayim Aruchim's experience, expertise and availability is invaluable in dealing with hospitals on these matters. There involvement becomes even more critical if ,G-d forbid, the patient starts to decline, Jewish law can become very nuanced, and it is critical to have a Rav who is competent both halachically and medically to help you understand appropriate treatment options and decisions.  

I have had a number of phone calls with Rabbi Leser in the middle of the night, to discuss halachic based medical decisions in the midst of emergent situations which occurred with my mother. HE ALWAYS ANSWERED THE PHONE (2am,3am ,4am).  Rabbi leser has acted with tremendous mesirus nefesh to help and be available in the most difficult circumstances 24/7.  No one should ever have to go through this type of challenge, but truly Chayim Aruchim is there to help medically, practically, halachically and emotionally. Chayim Aruchim gives tremendous support in doing what is best for your loved one and taking a huge emotional burden off your shoulders when making end of life and treatment decisions. I know Chayim Aruchim operates on a shoestring budget, yet they are always there to help.  I ask you to please give generously.  They offer a level of spiritual, emotional, and practical support that is very difficult to find and access in these circumstances.  

May HaShem bless you and all those you love with good health, nachas and the fullfillment of all your hearts' desires for good. Please HaShem reveal your mercy to your children and bring Moshiach now.

Thank you for your support.

Baruch Yosef

https://charidy.com/ca/Markoff

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