Stories

In the heart of the Peterson Park neighborhood, the appearance of "JL's" house reflects considerable dilapidation and neglect. The front and sides of the house show severely peeling paint, starkly overgrown shrubbery, and sinking concrete steps. At the back of the house, a fallen awning lies heavily strewn on a rickety deck. The partially-missing side...

Years ago, Rabbi ES and his family were driving home on the highway one happy Chol HaMoed Sukkot afternoon, after conducting a CMC-arranged holiday celebration at a suburban nursing home. Suddenly however, the joyous excitement inside the car was interrupted by a crashing jolt, as the vehicle was struck by another car from behind. Thank...

“Never give up,” and “miracles do happen” are two of the common catchphrases that we are very used to hearing, but which we don’t always merit to see reflected in life’s events. Recently however, the CMC was involved in the experience of an elderly patient, “RP”, whose astonishingly miraculous medical turnaround clearly suggests that such...

Recently, the CMC received a donation of a special, oversized motorized wheelchair. Although the chair was a newer model, it was missing one working part and did not operate. At the time of the donation, the CMC had no idea what this chair would be used for, but thanks to Divine Providence, the answer was...

What are the odds that an empty bottle of ibuprofen might actually help save someone's life? Yet, that is exactly the circumstance that recently contributed importantly to saving the life of "KM", together with the very crucial help of the CMC. The story began when Rabbi Wolf received an unexpected phone call from KM, who...

Loneliness and a sense of futility can be among the greatest challenges experienced by the elderly and/or infirm. Among other CMC services, the CMC’s “Friendly Visiting” program uplifts these individuals, touching and enriching their lives in an incredible way. ------------------------ When Anna’s elderly husband died, she was left alone, without any children and with very...

Seven years ago, the CMC received a request for assistance from the owner of a local nursing home. The owner explained that he was in the process of selling the nursing home, and he was very concerned about "Harold", an extremely ill and isolated Jewish resident. Seeing that Harold had been abandoned by his family...

At periodic intervals throughout the year, the CMC runs a community-wide campaign offering the opportunity for individuals to have their tefillin and mezuzot checked by an expert certified scribe. Over the years, we have regularly been privileged to witness amazing miracles and Divine Providence in connection with this practice. The following story is but one...

I'm so terribly alone. And so awfully, dreadfully afraid. There is nobody to help me - no family, no friends. My wonderful neighbor is out of town, and no one else ever stops by to visit me or even say hello. Why won't my body allow me to get up off this couch? Where did...

During a recent “mezuzah campaign”, Rabbi Aron Wolf received a request from a local Sefardic rabbi to check the mezuzot of a ninety-year old congregant. Due to the lateness of the hour, Rabbi Wolf called the elderly gentleman and suggested that he would drop by his house on the following day to dismount his mezuzot...

“Ilya Y” was a Russian-Jewish immigrant to the United States in his seventies who lived in a heavily rent-subsidized apartment building in the city of Chicago. The manager of Ilya’s building brought his name to the attention of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (CDFSS) after it had become obvious that Ilya was...

The following CMC story illustrates how the CMC’s involvement with vulnerable senior citizens can make a huge difference in their lives. Rabbi Aron Wolf, director of the CMC, recently received a request from the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (CDFSS) to visit an elderly Jewish lady, whom we shall refer to as “MW”....