A Link In The Chain Of Sharsheret’s Impact
This summer I have been lucky enough to intern with Sharsheret. As an intern, I have spent a lot of time thinking about the meaning of the word Sharsheret, chain. I have thought about my relationship with Sharsheret, my family’s connection to the organization and how my work this summer has continued my link in the Sharsheret chain.
I have known about Sharsheret for about as long as I can remember. My aunt began volunteering with Sharsheret in 2003 and shortly after began working on the clinical staff until her retirement in 2017. I was always inspired by her work at the organization and felt connected to the work of Sharsheret as both of my grandmothers had breast cancer. I remember thinking about how impactful Sharsheret would have been in their lives and admiring the life-changing work that my aunt was doing. So, I fundraised for Sharsheret as my Bat Mitzvah project in 2014, beginning my personal connection to Sharsheret.
In 2015 the unthinkable happened, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was immediately embraced into the folds of the Sharsheret community, getting support through a Sharsheret social worker and the peer supporter program. Beyond that, Sharsheret supported my family, providing caregiver support to my dad. I was immensely grateful to the work of Sharsheret, seeing how they guided my mom through this unimaginable period in her life.
This year, when I saw that Sharsheret was taking interns, I knew immediately that I wanted to apply. Sharsheret was woven into the fabric of my life, and I was a definite link in the chain of their impact, not to mention the fact that I have always been interested in Jewish non-profit work. As an intern, I have enjoyed giving back to the organization that has done so much for me. I have been welcomed by the wonderful staff, connected with Jewish communities in California, and learned so much about the important work that Sharsheret does for women and families across the country.
One of my favorite projects this summer has been connecting with California synagogues about Sharsheret’s B’nai Mitzvah Program. I got to share my experience as a participant of the program and talk to various communities about the impact that working with Sharsheret can have on the B’nai Mitzvah student and their community. I really felt the importance of creating more links in the Sharsheret chain, knowing how impactful each interaction with Sharsheret has been in my own life.
I am proud to serve as an example of the profound impact that Sharsheret can have on one life. I will forever be grateful for the support that Sharsheret gave my mom and family throughout her cancer journey. This summer has even further solidified my bond to Sharsheret, seeing first hand the hard work and passion that goes into each and every project within the organization. I have come to truly understand the meaning of the word sharsheret, and I am excited to see how my link in the Sharsheret chain grows.