The Men’s Club of Beth El Temple in West Hartford, Connecticut recently received a Silver Torch Award for their event entitled, “A Perfect Match,” from the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, the umbrella organization representing the Conservative movement’s men’s clubs.  This award winning program reunited Shlomo Hackel and Dr. Richard Freund, who prior to 2007 were total strangers.  What brought these two men together?  The Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation donor registry was the conduit connecting these two men together forever.

In November 2007, Beth El Temple was holding its annual Mitzvah Day.  Among the many activities going on was a recruitment drive for the Gift of Life.  Sitting at the organization’s information table was Eliane Freund, the wife of Dr. Richard Freund.  Several years earlier, he had received a bone marrow transplant and his donor had come through the Gift of Life registry. Since that time, promoting its life-saving mission is very important to the Freunds.  Dave Diamond, Men’s Club President, started talking to Eliane about her husband’s experiences as a bone marrow recipient.  The conversation soon turned to ways in which the Men’s Club could help raise awareness of the need for more Jewish donors in the registry.  Both Eliane and Dave agreed that an exciting and informative program reuniting Dr. Freund with his donor, Shlomo Hackel would attract a large audience.  Over the next few months, plans were made to host a breakfast program at the temple to bring the two men together.

Working in cooperation with the sisterhood, religious school and other temple groups more than 150 people witnessed this reunion.  As the event was in its planning stages, Jay Feinberg, Founder and Executive Director of the Gift of Life, learned about the program and was interested in participating.  It was also learned that Cheryl Rosenbaum, the wife of religious school director, Rabbi Howard Rosenbaum, was the first person who ever donated bone marrow through Gift of Life.

After a lovely breakfast, the synagogue’s rabbi opened the program with words about the mitzvah that had taken place.  He was followed by Cheryl Rosenbaum who introduced Jay Feinberg.  The emotional reunion of Dr. Freund with his real-life hero, Shlomo Hackel, was the highlight of the morning.

In his submission to the awards committee, Dave Diamond said the program had exceeded their expectations.  He further stated, “We learned how easy it is to be tested as a potential donor.  The entire program was a wonderful lesson on giving, survival, life, hope and the true meaning of tzedakah and mitzvah.”

The Ambassador Program of the Gift of Life has a Speaker’s Bureau.  These volunteer speakers include bone marrow donors and transplant recipients who are eager to share their experiences with synagogues and other organizations across North America.  Their stories will heighten awareness of Gift of Life’s mission and inspire audience members to register to be bone marrow donors, thereby becoming Gift of Life’s partners in saving lives.  The speakers are available at no cost to the organization.

To learn more about obtaining a speaker for your group, please contact Susan Greenspan, Ambassador Program Coordinator, 561-982-2900 or sgreenspan@giftoflife.org.