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JFCS Cancer Support Group creates community

BY JENN DIRECTOR KNUDSEN
Community is important.
Cancer is lonely. Jewish Family
& Child Service has combined
these two truths to create a no-
cost Cancer Support Group. It’s
the Jewish community’s first
and one of few available in the
greater community.
“Cancer is a lonely road to
travel on,” says JFCS’ Cait-
lin DeBoer, LCSW and group
co-facilitator.
An expert in helping clients
suffering from chronic pain, Caitlin DeBoer Rabbi Mel Young Rabbi Barry Cohen
Caitlin says she too often hears “I am a cancer
the refrain, “Where are my peo- Cancer Support Group
ple?” People with cancer, too, patient who hap- Presented by Jewish Family & Child Service
feel more isolated due to their pens to be a rabbi.
illness and treatment regimen. What: A no-cost, safe, online space for those with a
“If we can alleviate this isola- This work tran- cancer diagnosis
tion even in one small corner, When: The second Wednesday of each month,
then this is great.” scends my profes- beginning April 13
The Cancer Support Group’s sional work.”
other facilitators are Rabbi Mel Where: via Zoom
Young and Rabbi Barry Co- ~ Rabbi Mel Young How: Please contact Caitlin DeBoer, LCSW, with
hen. Known as Rabbi Mel, he
moved three years ago to Port- In 2005, Rabbi Mel was 53 questions or to register at 971-400-3533 or
land from L.A. with his wife, years old and a secondary cdeboer@jfcs-portland.org.
Linda, and is a cancer patient school program administrator More information: jfcs-portland.org/cancer-support
himself. He facilitated support when he received a diagnosis
groups in Southern California. of renal cell carcinoma, kidney
Rabbi Cohen is the community cancer. His diseased left kidney cancer often causes, Rabbi Mel, effort. Together, we will help
chaplain and co-led Walking was removed. Four years later, 70, receives medical care at a those with cancer navigate the
Beside You, JFCS’ inaugural his cancer hit stage 4. During local teaching hospital. “But road of healing and health.”
grief-processing group. treatment, he entered rabbin- when I exit the building after The facilitators stress that the
Beginning April 13, the Can- ical school in 2010. He was an appointment or treatment, Cancer Support Group is open
cer Support Group will meet ordained in 2017. In summer then what?” he asks. “There is to anyone with a cancer diagno-
via Zoom the second Wednes- 2020, his second year in Port- no support whatsoever.” sis. “I am a cancer patient who
day of every month, from 11 am land, the rabbi was diagnosed Rabbi Mel met Rabbi Cohen happens to be a rabbi,” Rabbi
to noon. While the opportunity with cancer of the esophagus, when the latter visited him in Mel says. “This work tran-
is free, registration is required. resulting in an esophagectomy. the hospital while he was re- scends my professional work.”
No medical advice will be of- No stranger to hospitals, treat- covering from a procedure. The rabbi says the group
fered. (See box for registration ments, surgeries, pre-scan sky- Rabbi Cohen brought up the members will benefit from be-
information and details.) high anxiety and the isolation need for a support group for ing heard and supported by the
cancer patients and then intro- facilitators and one another.
Deadlines near for Havurah Shabbat School duced his idea and Rabbi Mel Their role is to honor the pres-
to JFCS’ DeBoer.
ence of those also on this jour-
Havurah Shalom, Portland’s Reconstructing Judaism com- “I learned from Rabbi Young ney, acknowledge what he calls
munity, is currently planning for next year’s Shabbat School, the unique challenges of going signposts (say, surgical proce-
the congregation’s cooperative Jewish education program for through cancer treatments and dures) and celebrate milestones
children and families. the need to find support and (such as the half-way point in
April 18 is the deadline to become a Havurah Shalom mem- strength from others,” Rabbi chemo treatments).
ber for those considering enrolling children in Shabbat School. Cohen says. Caitlin, Rabbi Mel and Rabbi
The school enrollment deadline is May 1. “When it became clear that Cohen are creating community
Information about Shabbat School is available on Havurah’s there are limited cancer support for anyone along the cancer
website (havurahshalom.org/shabbat-school-grades-k-6.html). group offerings, Rabbi Young continuum.
Anyone seriously considering Shabbat School and Ha- and I began to ask how we “If we can provide a safe
vurah Shalom membership should contact Deborah could create one for our com- space, where people can be
Eisenbach-Budner, Havurah’s Education Director, at munity,” he says. “I am appre- honest with one another and
deborah@havurahshalom.org as soon as possible, as Shabbat ciative of how receptive JFCS themselves – where they are
School staff will meet or have a conversation with all prospec- was to combine our talents, ex- not taking care of others – that
tive families before March 31. periences and resources in this is key,” Caitlin says.

10 Jewish Review March 16, 2022