Torah Lesson Inspires Community to Donate Blood

A suburban Chicago synagogue’s first-ever blood drive netted 30 donors, with Hebrew school parents, high school students, area homeowners and even grandparents supporting the effort.

Chabad-Lubavitch of Northbrook hosted the Feb. 13 drive after finding inspiration in a recent Rohr Jewish Learning Institute course. The course, “Medicine and Morals,” discussed the fundamental Jewish obligation to save a life and its practical ramifications, such as laws governing blood and organ donations.

“A big part of being a Jew is helping people, helping our fellow Jews and other people who are in need,” explained class participant Larry Plotkin, who helped to organize the drive. “It’s very necessary to do the drives, because you never know when you’ll need it.”

Plotkin cited popularly-referenced statistics that show that only three percent of the American public donates blood, despite the great need. Plotkin said that he himself required a blood donation of close to four pints a number of years ago following an accident in his home.

For Judy Franks-Farah, a registered nurse, the great show of community support for the drive signaled the positive effect that it will have on others.

“It was a great gesture on the community’s part to get the blood drive together,” said Franks-Farah, who partnered with LifeSource, Chicago’s leading blood donation organization, to help organize the drive. “If I can help in any way, I always want to do it. The drive really exceeded everyone’s expectations; I shook my head in gratitude at the end of the day.”

According to Franks-Farah, for a first-time blood drive, Northbrook had a turnout that was extraordinary. Apparently, the accompanying lox and bagel breakfast played an important role.

And for Chabad-Lubavitch of Northbrook director Rabbi Meir Moscowitz, the drive was a testament to his students’ sensitivity.

“I think it’s a powerful statement when students take the ideas that we study from the theoretical into practice,” said Moscowitz. “This was an initiative that they took upon themselves, and they got the whole community involved in a joint effort. It was very [moving].”