JNF IS 100% ISRAEL Shabbat Project Ken SHOW YOUR SOLIDARITY. SCHACHNOW PLANT A TREE. GO ON A JNF MISSION. Sales Representative Unity Havdallah DIRECT: 613.292.2200 INVEST IN YOUR OWN LEGACY PROJECT. OFFICE: 613.829.1818 brings community EMAIL: [email protected] VISIT US AT THE CHANUKAH FAIR KELLERWILLIAMS VIP REALTY www.kenschachnow.com [email protected] 613-798-2411 together > p. 16 Brokerage, Independently Owned And Operated Ottawa Jewish Bulletin NOVEMBER 9, 2015 | 27 CHESHVAN 5776 ESTABLISHED 1937 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM | $2 Urgent search launched for living liver transplant donor for Leslie Kaufman While members of Ottawa’s Jewish community have responded to an urgent appeal for a living liver donor, fi nding a compatible match is diffi cult and the search continues. Louise Rachlis reports. f you know anyone with a liver, day, ‘it’s in our DNA to want to help.’ That you have my cell number,’ said really struck a chord with me, and a lot of Sam Greenspon. people can identify with that,” he said. ‘I The husband of Leslie Kaufman Kaufman also has a vertebrae fracture has been with his very ill wife at Toronto in her back, which is a byproduct of the General Hospital anxiously awaiting a accelerated osteoporosis caused by the liver transplant for her. disease. An emergency search is on for any “It’s an autoimmune disease called members of the public interested in PBC, and she fi rst found out she had it being a live liver donor. last winter,” Greenspon said. “When we “Things are basically in a holding look back, we see it just wasn’t recog- pattern,” said Greenspon. nized earlier. Last fall, an antibiotic for A living liver donor does not have to be bronchitis triggered a jaundice look. She a blood relative, but must have a compat- was referred to Dr. Linda Scully who ible blood type. Kaufman is A positive, diagnosed it.” which means types A and O are PBC – primary biliary cirrhosis or Leslie Kaufman, seen here with her grandson before she took ill, is in need of a lifesaving liver compatible. primary biliary cholangitis – is marked by transplant. “I was going to be fi rst in line, but I slow progressive destruction of the small read the guide and I can’t do it because bile ducts of the liver. age 60 is the cut-off,” said Greenspon, 62. Rabbi Reuven Bulka, long an advocate of the Trillium Gift of Life Network. psychological to make sure it’s not just Kaufman was appointed vice-presi- for organ donation, launched the search “If you don’t do it, it’s fundamentally the excitement of signing up. You have to dent, corporate services of the Jewish for a live liver donor for Leslie Kaufman wrong,” he said. “Anyone who knows carry through. In some situations, you Federation of Ottawa and Ottawa Jewish when he sent a mass e-mail, October 20, someone who needs a kidney or a liver might be a terrifi c match and go forward. Community Foundation in October 2013. to the Jewish community appealing “not should consider organ donation. With If not, you’d still be on the list of poten- She celebrated her 56th birthday in for money, but for LIFE.” the Trillium Gift of Life Network, nobody tial donors and you could be called again hospital. He said his act to support her was jumps the queue. We encourage people a year later.” Greenspon said support for his wife nothing special. to sign up through the Internet.” In his e-mail to the community, Rabbi from Ottawa’s Jewish community has “I don’t think anybody in the position A live liver donor makes a great Bulka explained that Kaufman, “a been amazing. I’m in would do it differently,” said Rabbi sacrifi ce, said Rabbi Bulka. devoted member of our Ottawa mishpa- “Andrea Freedman of the Jewish Bulka, rabbi emeritus of Congregation “There is a very exacting screening cha, a beloved wife, stepmother and Federation of Ottawa said to me the other Machzikei Hadas, and chair of the board process. It’s not only physical, it’s See Kaufman on page 2 Remembering Federal election Justice Jack Nadelle inside: Marty Davis > p. 4 commentaries > p. 7, 9, 22 set to retire > p. 11 World Class Outsourcing ... and more! 613-744-6444 613-244-7225 Providing quality service 613-744-5767 613-244-4444 to the National Capital Region Publication Mail Agreement No. 40018822 since 1947! www.boydgroup.on.ca 2 November 9, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Kaufman: 300 waiting for liver transplant in Ontario Continued from page 1 tion of potential donors from which to doting grandmother, is battling a perni- choose.” cious liver disease that threatens her After transplant, the donor’s liver life.” begins to regenerate almost immediately There are currently close to 300 people and will have almost completely regener- waiting for a liver transplant in Ontario. ated within two months. According to the most recent Canadian Although a number of people have statistics, in 2012 there were 2,124 organ already completed donor applications, transplants, and 256 people died waiting there are many variables involved in for a donor. fi nding a compatible match – so anyone Last spring, Ottawa Senators owner who would consider being a living liver Eugene Melnyk, 55, received a liver donor is encouraged to apply. transplant fi ve days after making a public The following information is excerpted appeal for a live donor. Rabbi Bulka from Rabbi Bulka’s email to the dismissed critics of the Melnyk appeal. community: “The need is the same in Leslie’s There is a Program for Reimbursing situation,” he said, stressing there is only Expenses of Living Organ Donors via the a waiting list for deceased donors’ organs, Trillium Gift of Life Network, which helps not for live donations. ease some of the fi nancial responsibility “Using the media to get people related to the organ donation. Leslie Kaufman at Toronto General Hospital as she awaits a liver transplant. engaged is a win/win. It increases For more information on becoming people’s sensitivity ... The publicity will a living liver donor, please see the save the lives of so many people. There is Bregman said he made the decision paperwork to be tested myself to be able Donor Manual at http://tinyurl.com/ no reason to complain here,” said Rabbi quickly after discussing it with his wife to donate a portion of my liver to her. liver-donor-manual. Bulka. and Rabbi Bulka. Although I feel nervous, especially with The completed form, along with proof The Melnyk case also brought forward Bregman took to social media to help 15-month old twins at home, I felt it was of your blood type and the Documenta- many people who will to donate to spread awareness of the need for poten- the right thing to do. I have been raised in tion to be Assessed Form (found on the someone else, and broadened awareness tial donors to come forward. He shared a family and a community that taught me last page of the Donor Manual), should of the need for live organ transplants. his personal story and said he’d be happy to think of others, to be a giver, and that be submitted via fax or email to the Bram Bregman, vice-president, to speak to anyone about it. life matters more than anything else – Living Donor Assessment Offi ce at community building, at the Jewish “I am writing to ask your help in and this is what I want to pass onto my 416-340-4317 or [email protected]. Federation of Ottawa, was one of the fi rst spreading the word about a lifesaving children.” For any questions regarding the living to apply to be a possible donor in support appeal for my dear Federation colleague, Bregman continued, “The fi rst stage is liver donation process, contact the of Kaufman. Leslie Kaufman, who is in urgent need of completing a medical form and giving Toronto General Hospital’s Living Donor “It’s a big decision, a heavy decision, to a match for a live liver donor transplant,” your blood type. The doctors do an Liver Offi ce co-ordinator at 416-340-4800, make,” said Bregman. “It’s a serious Bregman wrote. assessment and then decide if they want ext. 4711. operation. It’s safe but requires recovery “With 100 per cent support by my to proceed. The chances of being a match For more information on organ dona- time and time off work.” amazing wife, I have submitted the are so slim that they need a wide selec- tion in Ontario, visit www.beadonor.ca. Netanyahu congratulates Trudeau amid expected ‘tone change’ (JTA) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin telephone call affi rming the friendship Ambassador Rafael Barak said the call from Kate Purchase, Trudeau’s spokesperson, Netanyahu congratulated Justin Trudeau, between Israel and Canada. Netanyahu took place October 23 and left described the conversation as a “very then prime minister designate, in a Canadian Press (CP) reported that Israeli his country assured that relations between positive call.” Canada and the Jewish state will remain Trudeau also “explained there would be strong after the defeat of the staunchly a shift in tone, but Canada would continue Allan Taylor pro-Israel government of Stephen Harper to be a friend of Israel’s,” she added. ■ GROUP PLANS and his Conservatives on October 19. Some observers in Canada’s Jewish ■ LIFE INSURANCE Barak told CP, October 29, Trudeau also community have expressed concern that ■ DISABILITY INSURANCE has a strong record of support for Israel.