A Marathon Story

When Michael asked me to be his plus one for the Beit T’Shuvah gala fund raiser I immediately said yes. My dad is the medical director there.

Naturally it would be great fun to see friends who are also supporters of this awesome treatment center whose motto is “Recover your passion. Discover your purpose."

For 30 years, they’ve worked to heal broken souls. So, they invited some past residents to speak about their journeys at the dinner.

The first speaker told us about his experience through foster care. His parent raped him.

He later killed his rapist and was sent to jail for 20 years at the age of 16.

He was released to Beit T’Shuvah and is now a father, an author, a public speaker, and most importantly and advocate of foster care reform.

I was in tears. How does someone begin life at 36? How does someone find value in living after a start like that?

The next speaker talked about a high school experience. She was at a party and encouraged her friend to get in a car. That car got into an accident that maimed her friend.

She walked away physically fine but mentally she couldn’t release the guilt and in college turned to drugs to numb the memory.

Beit T’Shuvah helped her through the excruciating pain. The house, the staff, and the residents were the gold enamel that put her broken pieces back together.

Again, I cried. I realized we all are a sliding door away from trauma.

How a split second could forever alter our lives. How many times was I a passenger in a car with someone who had a drink?

Towards the end of the dinner, I leaned over my date to tell the executive director that I wanted to get involved. Volunteer. Do something.

So, I began with going to Friday night services there with my dad. It was unlike any service that I’ve attended, and I’ve davened at Kol Ami, Sinai, and Chabad.

During the service the rabbi asked for tzedakah for the Running for Recovery Team for the LA Marathon. Without thinking, my hand shot up.

My dad and I ran our first marathon days before my 30th and his 57th birthdays. We crossed the finish line holding hands.

We made it despite the aches and pains. We worked too hard training for this event not to finish. Somewhere around mile 20, too exhausted to take one more step, we somehow tapped into our internal superpower, and it carried us over the line.

I knew if I could do the marathon, I could do anything I put my mind to.

So, dad and I went out to support the BTS running team on Sunday. With cut oranges, mini snickers, and words of encouragement, we just wanted the runners to know that they are supported, in this race, and in this journey.

Most people think tzedakah means charity. It truly means doing the right thing.

When you give of yourself so that others can succeed it creates my favorite good deed. Some call it mitzvah. I call it connection.

I can’t wait to welcome Shabbos with my dad this Friday night at Beit T’Shuvah. The rabbi invites anyone in the congregation to come up to the bimah and speak about the gratitude they’ve felt this week.

By sharing our stories, we become teachers. We inspire.

We become sparks that ignite other people’s flames.

We fulfill our simple purpose- to do good in this world.

To learn more about Beit T'Shuvah, visit https://beittshuvah.org/