Over fifty years ago, a group of friends of Rivkah Laufer A”H, committed themselves to a cause.  Rivkah Laufer was always busy with Bikur Cholim, but when she was hospitalized with her final illness she impressed upon her friends the crucial need for helping and visiting the sick which she now understood firsthand.  She had hoped to continue with this mitzvah when she recovered, but alas that was not to be. To perpetuate her legacy, friends and relatives founded the Rivkah Laufer Bikur Cholim Organization. Its founders included most notably Rebbetzin Miriam Lubling A”H and YBL”C Mrs. Bella Brodt and Mrs. Fran Laufer, whose names are synonymous with chesed and caring. Over the years, RLBC has become the shoulder upon which many have leaned to help them find the right physician and, when hospitalized, to make sure their every need is attended to.  RLBC provides Shabbos lodging for relatives, transportation to and from doctors where necessary, and financial help when there is no other source of funds. All of this is accomplished without any salaried employees. From the fundraising, through the cash disbursements and everything in between, all this is done by unpaid volunteers.

The emotional, psychological, and financial burdens that illness brings can crush even the strongest, may we never know from it. Distraught patients and their families turn to RLBC to help in these dire times of need.  The very name Rivkah Laufer reverberates through the hearts of all of us who have, from our earliest memories, watched our remarkable mothers and grandmothers infuse all their energy and heart into helping the indigent and infirm; those depleted of hope and ravaged by pain. These vibrant women rallied their Herculean strength (where did they get it from?) to comfort and support, never losing sight of their goal.

Unfortunately, only a few of the initial founders are still with us, but nevertheless the Mesorah continues, as children and grandchildren of the original founders have taken it upon themselves to continue this holy and important work.  The only thing that has not diminished over time is the continued need, amid escalating medical costs, to raise funds so that we don’t turn away from those who beseech us for help.

With that in mind, we respectfully request your most kind and generous support to maintain this great Mitzvah of Bikur Cholim. Feel good about yourself by knowing that you’ve responded in a big way to a call for help. Tizku L’Mitzvot.