Baltimore, MD - May 7, 2018 - For the past two years of the Jewish Caring Network’s annual 5K Run fundraiser, my family and friends raised money under the team name, “Refuah for Chaya.” Three months ago, my mother, the co-founder of the Jewish Caring Network, left this world. It is because of this that our typical team name has changed to “Mrs. Drabkin’s Music Makers.” My mother, Mrs. Chaiya Drabkin, was a music maker herself. She was a talented musician who used her music to brighten the lives of others and was a devoted music teacher who spread the love of music to so, so many people.
In another way, my mother made her own music by seeing the light and opportunity in every situation. She epitomized the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Her positivity and her ability to make music in tough times brought her through every challenge in life.
During her illness, she would place a positive spin on the treatments that she was going through. She hung up smiley faces and pictures of her family in her room during chemotherapy infusions. She handed out business cards with her name and number: Chaiya Drabkin, D.O.P.T (Director of Positive Thinking), and invited other patients to call her so she could “listen, talk, or share.” When she had a port inserted in order to administer her chemotherapy, she made bright, happy stickers that read, “I’m a happy boat. I love my port!”
I often say that I only got through my mother’s illness because of the perspective that she had on it. She was happy. She may have been in excruciating pain, had terrible blisters on her hands and feet, experienced nausea, and had many terrible side effects from her medications. But she was happy. And she transferred this happiness to us, to her family, and to anyone who came in contact with her. Seeing this tremendous strength gave me, and I’m sure many other people who knew her, the ability to make music of their own. So you see, my mother was a music maker. And in the process of her music making, she created many other talented musicians as well.
The Jewish Caring Network is an organization that my mother and Mrs. Keren Traub founded over 20 years ago to help families facing life threatening and life-long illnesses. The Jewish Caring Network’s motto is, “Touching Lives, Making a Difference.” Since my mother always kept the details of her involvement confidential, I am sure that there are so, so many people my mother impacted that I just do not know about. Two years ago, when my mother was diagnosed with cancer, we became a recipient of the kindness of this organization. I can now say firsthand that the Jewish Caring Network knows perfectly well how to touch lives and make a difference. They did it for us.
On June 3rd, I will be participating in the annual 5K run. Please take this opportunity to be a part of the amazing work of the Jewish Caring Network. Just as my mother was constantly helping others, you can help her now, too. By donating to the Jewish Caring Network in the merit of my mother, Chaiya Masya bas Asher HaKohen, you are enabling her to continue her legacy of giving. This, I’m sure, will give her soul a huge uplifting. Thank you for being a part of her symphony and for helping her continue to “touch lives and make a difference.”
Below is a video my mother, a'h, made last year for the Jewish Caring Network's Annual 5K Run:
To register for the JCN 5K or make a donation, please go to: www.JewishCaringNetwork.org
or write a check to:
Jewish Caring Network
ATT: JCN 5K
Thank you for your support! Feel free to share this with family and friends!
All the best,
Adina (Drabkin) Kravetz
