Help Us Create Aaron's Place
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In March 2014, our beloved son and brother Aaron Zvi Sichel received a shocking diagnosis of late-stage bladder cancer. He was only 33. He had been living in Baltimore, where he was an active part of the Jewish community, doing everything from hosting Shabbat meals to volunteering with a Jewish organization that provides roadside assistance. In his characteristically understated way, he was in the midst of rerouting his career path toward his long-time passions of Talmud study and psychology. (He was also hatching a plan that involved leading groups through the Scottish highlands in pursuit of whisky, but you'll have to ask us about that one privately.)
When he began undergoing intensive medical treatment in Maryland and New York, a very weakened Aaron discovered a new passion: seeking out and exploring the little rooms that were privately maintained for patients whose Jewish observance was otherwise difficult to maintain at the hospital. These rooms, often called "bikur cholim" rooms, after the tenet of caring for the ill, were treasure troves of kosher meals and snacks, as well as Shabbat candles, prayer books, periodicals, and, much to Aaron's delight, other Jewish patients and their families and friends.
Almost every visit to the hospital, no matter how miserable, would be brightened by visits to the bikur cholim room. Aaron would revel in opening up the drawers and cabinets, rummaging through the fridge, and trying little tastes of anything that caught his eye. When he had the energy, he would chat with his fellow patients and their well-wishers, and he inevitably amassed new friends, all of whom were touched by his menschlichkeit and humility. As his family, we found comfort in his enjoyment of these basic pleasures.
But at UCLA Medical Center, where Aaron underwent treatment in his final weeks, no such resource exists. So we have spent the last six months partnering with UCLA and its Department of Spiritual Care to change that. Rooms at UCLA are impossible to come by, so we've scaled our vision to reality: We are in the midst of creating a little nook we’ll call "Aaron's Place."
"Aaron's Place" will be beautifully designed and will be bursting with kosher snacks, Jewish books, items for Shabbat (such as kiddush cups, candles, etc.), and other resources for Jewish patients--and it will be a living tribute to Aaron's kindness and generosity. Aaron would be too modest to say so, but we're pretty sure (certain, really) that he would be deeply humbled, and honored, for his legacy to be carried on this way: by helping bring comfort and joy to others. "Aaron's Place" will be small (more a pantry than a room), but it's centrally located in UCLA Medical Center's lobby, right by the cafeteria. A local Jewish charitable group, Ateres Avigail, will take care of its upkeep.
And here's where we’re asking you to come in. By November 1st, we need to raise $6,200 for design and construction to begin. ***(UPDATE SEPT. 25: We're raising the goal to $15,000. Amazingly, we raised more than $9,000 in under 24 hours! Every dollar raised now will be put aside into a special maintenance and stocking fund that will help support the annual amount needed for food, books, and supplies.)
We would be so moved if you could help us in these efforts to honor Aaron's memory--his love of Torah, his consummate hospitality, his delight in good food and drink--by helping us help future UCLA patients.
Whether you can give $5 or $18 or $500, we are grateful for the support, both emotional and financial. The contributions from all of you, even people who never had the privilege of meeting him, would mean mean the world to Aaron, who was so deeply community-minded. We thank you for helping us honor our beloved Aaron in this way.
With love and gratitude,
Sarit, Kenneth, Ilana, and Jared Sichel
The Shabbat Closet, which will be inside the door to the left (which is in the hospital's lobby), will contain kosher edibles, books, and Jewish ritual objects that patients and their loved ones will be able to enjoy free of charge.
When he began undergoing intensive medical treatment in Maryland and New York, a very weakened Aaron discovered a new passion: seeking out and exploring the little rooms that were privately maintained for patients whose Jewish observance was otherwise difficult to maintain at the hospital. These rooms, often called "bikur cholim" rooms, after the tenet of caring for the ill, were treasure troves of kosher meals and snacks, as well as Shabbat candles, prayer books, periodicals, and, much to Aaron's delight, other Jewish patients and their families and friends.
Almost every visit to the hospital, no matter how miserable, would be brightened by visits to the bikur cholim room. Aaron would revel in opening up the drawers and cabinets, rummaging through the fridge, and trying little tastes of anything that caught his eye. When he had the energy, he would chat with his fellow patients and their well-wishers, and he inevitably amassed new friends, all of whom were touched by his menschlichkeit and humility. As his family, we found comfort in his enjoyment of these basic pleasures.
But at UCLA Medical Center, where Aaron underwent treatment in his final weeks, no such resource exists. So we have spent the last six months partnering with UCLA and its Department of Spiritual Care to change that. Rooms at UCLA are impossible to come by, so we've scaled our vision to reality: We are in the midst of creating a little nook we’ll call "Aaron's Place."
"Aaron's Place" will be beautifully designed and will be bursting with kosher snacks, Jewish books, items for Shabbat (such as kiddush cups, candles, etc.), and other resources for Jewish patients--and it will be a living tribute to Aaron's kindness and generosity. Aaron would be too modest to say so, but we're pretty sure (certain, really) that he would be deeply humbled, and honored, for his legacy to be carried on this way: by helping bring comfort and joy to others. "Aaron's Place" will be small (more a pantry than a room), but it's centrally located in UCLA Medical Center's lobby, right by the cafeteria. A local Jewish charitable group, Ateres Avigail, will take care of its upkeep.
And here's where we’re asking you to come in. By November 1st, we need to raise $6,200 for design and construction to begin. ***(UPDATE SEPT. 25: We're raising the goal to $15,000. Amazingly, we raised more than $9,000 in under 24 hours! Every dollar raised now will be put aside into a special maintenance and stocking fund that will help support the annual amount needed for food, books, and supplies.)
We would be so moved if you could help us in these efforts to honor Aaron's memory--his love of Torah, his consummate hospitality, his delight in good food and drink--by helping us help future UCLA patients.
Whether you can give $5 or $18 or $500, we are grateful for the support, both emotional and financial. The contributions from all of you, even people who never had the privilege of meeting him, would mean mean the world to Aaron, who was so deeply community-minded. We thank you for helping us honor our beloved Aaron in this way.
With love and gratitude,
Sarit, Kenneth, Ilana, and Jared Sichel
The Shabbat Closet, which will be inside the door to the left (which is in the hospital's lobby), will contain kosher edibles, books, and Jewish ritual objects that patients and their loved ones will be able to enjoy free of charge.Organiser
Jared Sichel
Organiser
Los Angeles, CA