Elizabeth—This past week the Jewish Educational Center participated in its first Sharsheret Pink Day to raise consciousness and funds for Sharsheret. Spearheaded by RTMA senior Yonah Rosen in honor of his mother’s battle with breast cancer, the day was considered a huge success. Below is a letter written by Rosen celebrating the day’s accomplishments:
“Today RTMA participated in JEC’s first ever Sharsheret Pink Day. Sharsheret is a national organization that raises awareness for breast cancer within the Jewish community and supports Jewish women and their families facing this terrible disease. One of their many initiatives is Pink Day, a day when people from many schools and organizations wear pink to raise awareness for breast cancer. This year I decided that we, as a school, should participate. I believe that it was important to inform each individual in the school about the dangers of this disease, not only because men are susceptible to it, but because even if it doesn’t currently affect them, it will most likely affect someone they know.
To kick off the day, my mother, Melissa Rosen, the Director of National Outreach at Sharsheret, spoke to the entire high school about the organization and how it can help families cope with the diagnosis. Throughout the rest of the day, we sold lots of pink items to fundraise for Sharsheret. We were able to raise $400, with all proceeds going to members of the Jewish community who are facing breast cancer. I’m proud that my school decided to join in this event. Thank you everyone who made this possible and thank you for the support.”
When asked why it is so important for boys to learn about breast cancer, Rosen said, “It is a disease that affects everyone, including fathers, sons, and brothers.” He cited his mother’s words earlier in the day. “In the general community,” she said, “one out of every 345 people has a genetic mutation that makes breast cancer and ovarian cancer much more likely. In the Ashkenazi community, one out of every 40 people has that mutation!”
At Bruriah, breast cancer education continued with a presentation later in the week and will continue with formal education about this critical issue as part of the general curriculum.
“At the JEC,” said Adina Abramov, the school’s chief marketing officer, “we are focused on the whole student, and that means that we are concerned with their spiritual, educational, emotional and also physical well-being.”
To contribute or learn more about Sharsheret, visit www.sharsheret.org.
By Jill Kirsch
