Conversations with Cantor Lois
By LOIS KITTNER
Conversations with Cantor LoisApr 18, 2023
Episode 10- Rachel Sackett Putman #SackettStrong
Rachel Sackett - Cancer can be a lonely place. Cancer during a pandemic, well I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone. But here Rachel was, in Arizona, thousands of miles away from her family in New Jersey, navigating two cancers (ovarian cancer AND breast cancer) during a global pandemic. Each appointment, surgery, scan, lab and test were alone. Hearing that she had cancer, well she was alone for that too.
Rachel thought the worst thing she would have to endure in 2020 was in January, when she lost the most incredible man she had ever known, her Dad. So many friends and family thought his loss could be a sign, that perhaps he was making way for the child she had been yearning to have. Her first fertility appointment in March led to her first ultrasound to see why she wasn’t getting pregnant. That led to her first laparoscopic surgery and her first CT scan, which not only confirmed an ovarian mass, but also a breast mass. Her diagnosis was soon confirmed, Stage 2A ER positive breast cancer in May. But she wasn’t done yet. A PET scan and follow-up surgery in June uncovered Stage 3A low grade serous carcinoma ovarian cancer. Two cancers?! How could this be? Then 2020 continued in full force: 5 Hospital stays, endless doctor appointments, dieticians, physical therapy, counseling, genetic testing, tumor testing, molecular testing, lymphedema specialists, six covid tests, 3 bowel cleanses, labs, a 19-hour road trip to MD Anderson in Houston, her first colonoscopy, isolation at home, the loss of ten body parts and the addition of two new ones was how she spent her year. All of this while navigating a global pandemic in Arizona, thousands of miles away from her family in New Jersey and most of which she had to suffer through by herself.
RACHEL'S RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
Please take a moment toreview the organizations Rachel advocates for and has gotten so much strength and support from during her journey.
With gratitude. #Sackettstrong
NOCC – National Ovarian Cancer Coalition – The mission of the NOCC is to save lives through the prevention and cure of ovarian cancer and to improve quality of life for survivors and their caregivers
STAAR – Survive. Thrive. Advocate. Advance Research - The only US-based non-profit dedicated to low grade serous carcinoma ovarian cancer to advance research in the US and extend women’s lives via research for new treatment opportunities
OCRA – Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance – Leading organization in the world fighting ovarian cancer on all fronts while supporting patients and families
· STS – Survivors Teaching Students – Program that seeks to have an impact on the way healthcare professionals of tomorrow understand, diagnose and treat ovarian cancer
· W2W – Women to Women – Unique support program that pairs gynecologic cancer patients with trained survivor volunteers who provide one on one emotional support and mentoring to women when they need it most
· Advocate Leader – Voice for the ovarian cancer community, engaging with policymakers to help deliver critical research funding and access to care
CSCAZ – Cancer Support Community AZ (Global organization with 47 locations, also referred to as Gilda’s Club) – Ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community
CDMRP – Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs – The Department of Defense (DOD) Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) was initiated to support high-impact, cutting-edge research that fills unmet needs
Teal It Up – Ovarian cancer foundation that is committed to helping women navigate the challenges of ovarian cancer
Sharsheret – National non-profit organization that improves the lives of Jewish women and families living with or at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer through personalized support and saves lives through educational outreach
Episode 9 - Rabbi Debra Smith ("Reb Deb")
Rabbi Debra Smith (“Reb Deb”) www.rabbidebsmith.com - received rabbinic ordination (smicha) from the Aleph Ordination Program of the Jewish Renewal Movement (2016). She completed her Master’s Degree in Jewish Studies from Gratz College in Philadelphia. Reb Deb is the founder and spiritual leader of the Or ha Lev Jewish Renewal Community in Morris County, NJ.
Reb Deb is also a seasoned clinical social worker and marriage and family therapist.
A major focus of Reb Deb’s work is in multi-faith education and outreach. She is a co-leader of the Morris County, NJ Chapter1 of the Sisterhood of Salaam-Shalom.
Reb Deb is an author and the editor of four Jewish-themed books. Every Tallit Tells a Tale (2005) is a collection of seventy five stories about the tallit (Jewish prayer shawl) written by contributors across the USA and in Israel (2005). Words from the Heart: Multi-faith Prayers, Poems and Blessings (2020) and its newly released sequel, Fractured Hearts: Multi-faith Words of Hope and Healing (2021), both contain contributions from more than 50 authors from across the faith spectrum on a variety of topics. Heart Whispers: Sharing Reflections with G-d (2021), is a newly release collection of Reb Deb’s own poems and prayers.
She is a faculty member at the Aleph Ordination Program, where she teaches Pastoral Counseling and Clergy Ethics.
Episode 8 Stacey Agin Murray - Organized Artistry LLC
Stacey Agin Murray is a Certified Virtual Professional Organizer and Author in Fair Lawn, NJ. Time spent growing up in a 5’ x 12’ bedroom provided the foundation for her work in the field of organizing. Stacey's company, Organized Artistry, LLC was born in 2002 from a desire to help others achieve the feelings of freedom, preparedness, and calm she experiences from being organized.
Episode 7 Rabbi Susan Elkodsi-"Baby Boomer Rabbi"
Rabbi Susan Elkodsi received rabbinic ordination from the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR-NY) in May of 2015 and has been spiritual leader of the Malverne Jewish Center since August of 2015. Additionally, she provides pastoral and rabbinic services to local rehab and assisted living facilities, and is president of the Long Island Board of Rabbis. Her writing has appeared on JewishSacredAging.com, and she has presented workshops for Limmud, NY, for AJR and in the community, on ethical wills and spiritual legacies. She is currently working on a book that will share Torah wisdom “by elders, for elders,” which can be seen on her website, www.babyboomerrabbi.com.
In 2019 Rabbi Elkodsi received a Rabbinic Certificate in Gerontology and Palliative Care from the Wurzweiler School of Social work at Yeshiva University, and takes advantage of their continuing education programs relating to aging and end-of-life issues.
She is passionate about helping Baby Boomers and older adults to find meaning and purpose in their lives within the context of Jewish tradition and teachings, and as part of a Jewish community, in however they see themselves. Over the past six years she has become an integral part of the Malverne Village community and has made many positive connections in the various Orthodox and liberal communities in the surrounding area.
A serial knitter who loves to spin her own yarn, her essay about “Spinning Knitting and Judaism was published in The Knit Vibe by Vickie Howell in 2019. She and her husband David have two children; Phillip a math teacher in Vermont, and Jacqueline who works in the beauty industry.
Episode 6: Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein - "A Shot of Hope"
My special guest today is Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein, who serves her community in Elgin, Illinois. Margaret has written a beautiful blessing for receiving the Coronavirus Vaccine and although it is written in a somewhat Jewish context, it is certainly accessible to anyone who wants to acknowledge receiving this miracle at a given moment in time. This is a very interesting, down-to-earth conversation about dark times, taking action, supporting others, and Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message of hope.
Here is a link to the Blessing of Thanks for Receiving the Vaccine at this moment in time: https://ritualwell.org/ritual/shehekheyanu-receiving-vaccine
Episode 5: Lynn Demetrakis - "Looking for the Sunrise"
Meet my dear friend, Lynn Demetrakis: scholar, Jr/Sr High School teacher, college teacher, yogi, voracious reader, amazing chef, baker extraordinaire, community leader, devoted wife, and inspiring mother to her two adult daughters. Lynn is a down-to-earth woman of wisdom, and I am delighted to share her with you!
Episode 4 Rabbi Julie Schwarzwald - Living Waters
Rabbi Julie Schwarzwald shares her connection to the fascinating ritual use of the open mikvah. A mikvah is a place for transformation, healing, and renewal. The open mikvah movement has experienced a renaissance in recent years and now plays an important role in helping all different types of individuals reclaim the power of Jewish ritual immersion.
Episode 3 Laurie Markoff - From the Heart!
My guest today is my best girlfriend since I was in 6th grade and she was in 7th! We know each other quite well and we are always learning from each other! Dr. Laurie Markoff has a fascinating relationship with ritual! I hope you can take some of what you learn from her and bring it into your personal practice --- from the heart!
Episode 2 Greg Kittner - Bringing in the light!
A conversation with my older son, Greg Kittner.
Episode 1 Caryn Starr-Gates
My dear friend, Caryn Starr-Gates shares some of her personal experiences and wisdom.
This moment in time!
I'm Cantor Lois, and I am passionate about the importance of ritual in our lives! Many people think that because they don't consider themselves "religious", they aren't allowed to make use of rituals. I look forward to hearing about the many different ways we can acknowledge special moments in our lives! Traditional, non-traditional, completely unique and customized rituals. Whether you know it or not, you already have many rituals that are playing important roles in your life! Let's talk about them!