My name is Mordechai Rothman and I am privileged to be the executive director at the Donald Berman Chai Lifeline Canada. I would like to utilize Chai Lifeline’s new blog to highlight the important work we do here at Chai Lifeline but also to use the various expertise we at Chai Lifeline have cultivated throughout the year and offer it to each of you. In the coming months you can expect heartwarming stories, helpful tips and tricks on topics such as business management, tips from our social workers and therapists to support your families , and much more. Our intention with this blog is to be a useful community resource . Occasionally we might highlight businesses and donors that support us and even request input from our readers and general supporters like you. As this will be my first post I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. I grew up in Toronto and received Rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University. I also hold an M.A. in Counselling Psychology and am a proud member of the Canadian Armed Forces serving as a reserve force Chaplain in the Queens York Rangers. I started working at Chai Lifeline Canada ten years ago and have seen the organization grow from a small start-up helping 18 families to an organization with footprints in two separate cities helping hundreds of children.
In my role I am often asked, “How do you do what you do? How are you able to continuously meet people going through some of the hardest times in their lives?” Meeting a child suffering from cancer is one of the most heartbreaking things one can see. My response is always the same, I believe it is a good lesson for everyone to incorporate into their lives. Mainly I choose to focus my attention on the good that we do and the positive impact that we as a community make together to help children and families suffering from serious illnesses. My job allows me to meet children and families going through tremendously tough times and the children are always fighters. To draw inspiration from them and their families as they rally around each other. I meet volunteers who give so much of their time to impact a child or family by going out of their way. I engage donors who never cease to amaze me with their generosity and selfless giving. I choose to focus on these things rather than the difficult situation that many people are dealing with. That choice is what gives me strength and it is that choice that you can make every day when you are faced with a tough situation.
I would love to hear from you, if you ever have any questions or have great ideas to support our children and families, please contact me at [email protected].
