Adeena Z”L once wrote: “I know we all go through hardships in life, and it makes us question our beliefs in God or if there is really a God out there, but in reality, if there wasn’t a God, then none of this would be happening at all. God loves us and he puts us through the hardships in order for us to learn and become better people.” For all of you reading this, I want to tell you about a very special person that enabled me to find Hashem, find my realest self, and uncover what true happiness really is. For those of you that did not know Adeena or how special she was, let me tell you a little about her. Adeena was always always so welcoming, friendly, and so nice to everyone. Five years ago, in the summer of our first year of high school, my dear friend Adeena was diagnosed with cancer. Adeena was such a special neshema, always spreading light to those around her. As her battle progressed and she was presented with many different challenges, she did not let it change her. She was always the same Adeena. Having to undergo many surgeries, treatments, etc, Adeena NEVER once complained. Majority of the time, when someone is diagnosed with such a severe illness, they are the ones that need the support and encouragement, but in this case it was the exact opposite. Adeena was the one that gave me and everyone around her hope. Her optimistic outlook on life was contagious and every single person she encountered, she changed for the better. Every week when I would visit her, even if her illness was progressing, she was growing to a whole new level closer to Hashem. When I would come back home from visiting her, I couldn’t help but be genuinely happy because that was the power of Adeena. Adeena’s positivity made me forget, even if it was just temporarily, the difficult battle she was facing. She would always encourage people to be their best self, do the right thing, and get closer to Hashem. She was so grateful to all the people, the entire community, even strangers, who did mitzvot and got closer to Hashem in her merit. Her Emunah and Bitachon in Hashem was literally indescribable. Big huge rabbis would come to give her blessings and after speaking with her they would say “YOU’RE the one that should be giving ME a blessing”... Adeena was so special and unique. After a long and difficult two year battle, Hashem decided that it was time for her to go back and we lost the special gift Hashem gave the world for 16 incredible years old. I was completely completely heartbroken. I just could not understand, why would Hashem do this after all the mitzvot, all the praying, all the challah bakes, that everyone, myself included, did. I was so hurt by Hashem. I felt extremely betrayed. I always believed in Hashem and knew he had a plan beyond what we could comprehend, but I was upset. For a while, my love for Torah and mitzvot were truly challenged. As hard as I tried, as much as I prayed and I attempted to continue to do the mitzvot I took on, it was extremely difficult for me. It was as if there was something stuck in my heart that was blocking my relationship with Hashem. I spoke to so many rabbis, so many different mentors but nothing was helping. I was so distraught. So why am I telling you all this? Because through this challenge in my life, through Adeena, I found Hashem and my relationship with him has only grown stronger. It took me a long time and lots of hard work, but with Hashem’s help, I got through it. I learned that at times in life, hashem does not want us to understand. Real bitachon in Hashem is not trusting in him when everything in our life is going smoothly, but at the difficult times. Just like Adeena said, Hashem puts us through our difficulties in life to mold us into the people we are meant to become. I now do every mitzvah out of love for Hashem, out of love for torah. The Torah and it’s mitzvot have brought so much meaning to my life. Sometimes I think to myself, what would my life be if I didn’t choose this path, if I didn’t choose Hashem, if I didn’t choose happiness. I simply cannot picture my life any other way. Although I wish that Adeena was still with us to celebrate the simcha of life that Hashem grants us with all of his chesed, I could not thank Adeena enough. It is because of Adeena that I found Hashem. I would like to end off with what Adeena wrote “Losing emunah in Hashem is not an option for me! And I hope it should never be an option for anyone. Each time, I felt defeated, I would just whisper to myself Gam Zeh leh Tovah. Hashem is there with us not just through our smachot but also through our difficulties and we can NEVER forget that”.

Chai lifeline is an organization that does just what Adeena is describing. Chai lifeline gives people hope, helps them through their difficult times and makes them feel like Hashem is truly standing right beside them. I chose to run for chai lifeline again because if I can make someone who is going through a difficult time feel one percent happier and make the whole process a little bit easier, I would do it a million times. And you can too ;)
I would appreciate a donation of any amount. Tizku L'mitzvot and “Keep happy”!

To learn more about Chai Lifeline please watch the videos below for all the services, assistance, summer camps, counseling and all the amazing things they do for individuals with illnesses and their family members.