It’s always inspiring when young people in the community take on a leadership role to initiate and fuel a project of chesed. Eitan and Elad Shushan learned of a specific need, to provide rides for people going to and from dialysis treatments. Then they worked to design and launch the ride service.
“During the beginning of March 2020, our grandfather was very sick with COVID. One of his side effects was that he required dialysis. Thank God, this was short-lived and he made a full recovery. (We) saw how all-consuming dialysis can be for the patient and for the families. We decided to spearhead a chesed (that would) provide rides for the patients in need, and help take a little of the burden off the patient and families. As a senior and freshman at Frisch, one of Frisch’s four core values is helping create a community of kindness. Therefore, we are reaching out to the amazing community that we live in, and are asking (you)… to help this chesed succeed.”
They explained, “[Visit] freedialysisrides.com and let us know that you are interested in joining our WhatsApp group where all rides are coordinated.”
Regarding how they find out who needs rides to dialysis, they responded, “We are reaching out through The Jewish Link, TeaneckShuls, and around town to spread the word for those that could use this assistance.” The service at this point offers rides only within Bergen County. “This is a fully volunteer basis, which means (drivers) cover the cost of their own gas. There are no tolls.”
“B”H we don’t have many patients right now, and we hope it stays this way. However, we do need many drivers, as dialysis requires two rides three times a week.” Shushan added, “My late grandmother always said, “Chesed is not for when it is convenient for you, (rather) for when it’s convenient for the person who needs the chesed.”
Currently, there is one patient that needs to be picked up on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30-9:45 a.m. from Fort Lee for a 10 a.m. arrival time to Holy Name dialysis center in Teaneck, and picked up again between 2-2:30 p.m., returning to Fort Lee.
The service is endorsed by Rabbi Chaim Jachter, rav of Congregation Shaarei Orah of Teaneck, rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County and Dayan with the Beit Din of Elizabeth. “They did this when their grandfather needed dialysis post-COVID. B”H he was blessed with a refuah and (the need) was short-lived,” Rabbi Jachter told The Jewish Link. “This is a wonderful chesed… the more drivers we have on deck, the easier and more smooth this program will run, especially when more patients contact us.”
Please visit freedialysisrides.com if you would like to volunteer.
By Jewish Link Staff
