JBFCS: Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs

Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs of the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services

December 2003

The following is written by a participant of both the JACS (Jewish Alcohol and Chemically Dependent Persons and their Significant Others) 50th Retreat and the Bikur Cholim Conference. The JACS retreat gathered over 350 dependent persons and their significant others at a hotel in upstate New York for a weekend. The Bikur Cholim conference brought together approximately 150 volunteers, lay leaders and professionals to examine the impact of Bikur Cholim on both the community and ourselves.

The JACS retreat: It was like being at the 36th Annual Jones Family Reunion. Upon entering the lobby of the hotel I sensed a celebratory feel in the air. Any residue of the delusion that I was isolated in my experience dissipated quickly once the 12 step and other meetings started. Regardless of the particularity of the other person’s ‘story’, I found myself relating to the ache of trying to transcend the obstacles to growth that I’ve faced. Does a seedling feel confined, or despair, exerting itself against the concrete barrier? The themes of struggle and striving prevailed over the discrepancy of our diverse backgrounds (age, geography, economic status, religious belief) as we united in the commonness of humanity. We all chuckled when a woman in one of my meetings stated simply: "I keep giving G-d the script and he’s just not following it." "Keep coming back" is an expression I heard often there. I plan to.

The 16th Annual Bikur Cholim Coordinating Council Conference. How do you quantify the power of 200 people in one room united in their compassion, in order to strengthen their commitment of bringing comfort to the sick? The ‘high’ of helping is exhilarating, but I can acknowledge the need for, and receive here, the gift of self-care in this heart-intensive mitzvah. I come away encouraged that I can offer the gift of myself to help someone who is in a vulnerable place. I too am vulnerable, and am cognizant that I too will likely be the beneficiary of my fellow’s kindness one day.

These "Spirituality Notes" are excerpts from our monthly E-newsletter. Articles are © JBFCS Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs and may be reprinted free of charge as long as this credit line is included.

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