[CUMMUNICATED] Dear Neighbor, It’s gonna be a long flight. As you settle into a cushy seat, the attendant asks if you are comfortable. You smile bravely, and say “I’m OK, thanks.” As you hear the whirring of the motors, you start to feel light headed and anxious. You do whatever you can to pass the time, reading, learning, listening to music, a crossword perhaps… but time passes slowly… very slowly. It’s tiring, draining. But, hey, at least you don’t do it very often, at least you have a destination to look forward to. No pain no gain, I guess. You can deal with it.

But what if I told you needed to do this again. Very soon. Say, every two days… For hours and hours each day…three or four times a week. And, oh, by the way – there is no destination…it is just that chair… just the whirring machinery… the draining exhaustion… just the whiling away the time… waiting … waiting…. When everyone else is out enjoying life to the fullest, you are stuck in that never ending loop, potentially for the rest of your life.

For the hundreds of acheinu b’nei yisroel on dialysis, the scenario above is their day-to-day reality. When they receive a kidney, they miraculously break free. They finally begin living life again. Renewal’s mission, as you probably all know, is to help make this happen. We are a nation blessed with altruistic individuals ready to make this unimaginable sacrifice so that others can live and thrive…the ultimate chessed. Renewal guides, educates, “holds hands,” and supports them every step of the way.

I have been privileged to know this organization from its inception and have seen it become what it is today. Renewal could never have imagined so early on that it would now be involved in 50 transplants annually. I have heard from my dear neighbor Menachem Friedman, Program Director of Renewal countless of inspiring stories of lives saved, lives changed forever.

Now it’s our turn to participate. Let’s keep the miracle going… let us do our part in continuing to save and change lives. I am hosting a BBQ and Kumzitz for the benefit of Renewal. It will be great. Great food, great music by Yitzchok Fuchs, a friendly relaxed atmosphere. We will hear an inspiring story from a kidney donor, as well as inspiring tidbits from my father with reflections on some of his experiences both in business and chessed. Prepare to be inspired, refreshed, and Renewed.

My brother-in-law, Sendy Ornstein, President of Renewal relates the following story: When donor Mrs. Sarah Beiner met, for the first time, six-year old recipient Yoily Rothchild, she asked “Do you know who I am?” Yoily looked at her. “What do you mean? You saved my life!” Little wonder…Prior to the surgery Yoily was on Peritoneal Dialysis, a procedure that takes up to fourteen hours per day seven days a week. Today, Yoily is free to play and jump together with his friends.

There are others like Yoily. We can all help, by doing our small part. A small act of kindness will echo and reverberate for generations…

Looking forward to seeing you!

Avrumi Friedman