Metro

AROUND TOWN

A Link In The Chain

Breast-cancer support group Sharsheret starts local chapter.

Alice Berlin and Yehudit Jubas, both of Southfield, and Sharsheret founder Rochelle
Shoretz of Teaneck, N.J.

R

ochelle Shoretz is a vibrant, active attorney and the mother of two school-
aged boys. She's also a two-time breast cancer survivor. Shoretz was just 28
when she was first diagnosed and she's been fighting ever since. But she's not
baffling breast cancer alone. In 2001, while undergoing chemo-
therapy, Shoretz founded the New Jersey-based support group
Sharsheret ("chain" in Hebrew) to connect Jewish women across
the country going through a similar ordeal. Since then, the group
has provided services for more than 19,000 women.
"Eight years ago, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer for
the first time, there was no organization dedicated to supporting
young Jewish women facing breast cancer:' Shoretz tells visitors
to her organization's Web site. "The Sharsheret chain of support
I started has come full circle. I began as a link in that chain and
now use the strength of others for my own support"
About 75 women gathered at the Southfield home of Alice
Berlin on Oct. 14 for the first local Sharsheret event. Shoretz

Becky Eizen and Elana Lofman, both of
Southfield

14

October 22 • 2009

Amy Gottlieb of Huntington Woods and

Jody Charlip of Farmington Hills

Bella Morgan of Huntington Woods and Janet Snider of Southfield

made a special trip to Michigan to address the group.
"Rochelle is a dynamic speaker and very inspirational:' said Yehudit Jubas of
Southfield, president of the local chapter and a member of the group's national advisory
board. "I feel it's so important to bring Sharsheret to the attention of all Jewish women
so when they need help, they will know where to find it."
The group provides a peer support network and offers resources for caregivers and
family members. There are also educational, outreach and quality of life programs.
"All women share a deep concern, a compassionate caring and a sense of responsibility
about breast cancer, research, support services, fundraising, education and understanding;
said Jubas. "While we hope to one day eradicate this disease, in the meantime, through our
efforts, we can certainly improve the odds for so many women like ourselves." O

For more information about Sharsheret, go to www.sharsheret.org or call (866)
474-2774

Elana Berlin and Cheryl Zuroff, both of
Southfield

Lauren Katz and Nancy Kleinfeldt, both
of Huntington Woods

