Teaneck, NJ – Rochelle Shoretz, founder of Sharsheret, a New Jersey based organization that offers programs and services to those dealing with breast and ovarian cancers, died today at the age of 42 from complications of breast cancer.
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
Shoretz, who lived in Teaneck, was the first Orthodox Jewish woman to serve as a United States Supreme Court clerk and the mother of two boys.
“She was full of a lot of energy,” Allison Josephs, founder of the Jew in the City website. “She took me under her wing when we met even though she was super busy. The saddest thing is that I got good news today and I was telling my husband that I had to call Rochie and tell her and then I got the news that she was gone.”
Josephs first met Shoretz when she was chosen as one of Jew in the City’s 2013 Orthodox Jewish All Stars for her legal acheivements but was equally impressed with Shoretz’s accomplishments when she left the supreme court after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 at age 28.
“She got the idea for the organization at her doctor’s office while she was sitting in the waiting room,” said Josephs.. “She realized all the things that she needed at that moment and decided to provide those services for other women in the same position.”
Shoretz founded Sharsheret with the goal of providing culturally sensitive programs and services to young Jewish women who were diagnosed with breast cancer. Originally started as a local non-profit, Sharsheret grew to become a national organization and was named recipient of the of New York State Innovation in BC Early Detection and Research Award, while Shortez herself was appointed to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Federal Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women.
According to reports in the Jewish Press, Sharsheret has responded to over 40,000 inquiries since its inception and has developed over ten national support and education programs.
Sharsheret’s Facebook page announced Shoretz’s death today saying “We at Sharsheret have lost our founder, our leader, our mentor. The Jewish world and the cancer world have lost a true champion of women and their families. Rochelle’s legacy is her children and an incredible organization that only she could have built. Her passion and drive will forever remain the foundation of Sharsheret. No words can adequately express our sadness at Rochelle’s death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with her. We will honor her memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the critical work she loved so much.”
The levaya for Shoretz will take place tomorrow at 11 AM at the Musicant Funeral Chapel in Hackensack with kevura at Cedar Park Cemetery in Paramus.
Online:
BDE
here is an example of a person taking a really lousy, tough deal handed to her and truly making the most of it – helping others.
truly amazing!
may she be a gute better for klal Yisroel.
BDE. I never knew of the nifteress or her organization (no one should ever need it) but she sounds a remarkable person. My deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
Nebech, so sad to lose such a fine Jewish mother at such a young age. B’DE
So much accomplished in such a short life. A mussar haskel for all of us. Yehi Zichro Boruch.
BDE