CAHAL kids dive into real life chesed

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It is hard to imagine how a young woman with a life-threatening illness, struggling every day just to move and breathe, has touched the lives of thousands of people in an incredibly powerful way. 

On April 2, 2014, Meredith Farrell, a graduate of our community yeshivas, along with her mother, relocated to Pittsburgh to be close to the medical center where she is waiting for a double lung transplant. Over these past two years, Meredith started a blog as a vehicle for sharing her experiences, hopes and gratitude for everyone’s support and prayers during this very difficult time. 

A gifted writer and artist, her words and illustrations have opened windows of emunah and inspired others to be better, kinder, and more appreciative of Hashem’s blessings in their lives.

Meredith initiated “Thankful Thursdays,” where she lists all the things she is thankful for each week and encourages others to share their lists as well. Over the past few months her condition worsened, and while in the hospital she added “Terrific Tuesdays,” asking her followers to do something extra in her merit. 

After hearing about Meredith, two of the CAHAL classes did something special for her. Meredith’s response was so meaningful and inspiring for the children. She provided a real life lesson as to how a small act of chesed can have a huge impact on the recipient. Meredith’s message to the children, posted by her mom, said it all.

“So unbelievably moved today by the mail I just received and wanted everyone to know. UPS came with a HUGE mailing tube. Inside I found a package from the CAHAL program.

“The 4th and 5th graders at Yeshiva Darchei Torah made a poster to help me feel better, and even better, the 1st and 2nd graders at Bais Yaakov Ateres Miriam each chose to do something good in my merit for our new Terrific Tuesday idea, and they wrote their pledges of ideas of what they will be doing in my honor.

“One girl promised to help other classmates move their chairs; another promised to hug a friend to make her smile; and yet another will help pick up the markers from the floor … and so on.

“I cannot begin to properly explain just how much this moved me.”

Special thanks go to CAHAL teachers Malkie Hyman and Leda Tempelman, who spearheaded the children’s initiatives and enabled them to participate in this chesed. In the merit of the prayers and acts of kindness inspired by Meredith, we hope and pray that she will have a complete refuah sheleimah. b’karov! 

Please join the CAHAL students in acts of kindness and bringing more goodness into the world in Meredith’s merit. Her post can be followed at FriendsOfMeredith.wordpress.com. Her Hebrew name is Rachel Miriam bat Shifra Yenta, l’refuah sheleimah.