By [Your Name/Journalist Name]
December 1, 2025
NEW YORK — Ten years have passed since the world lost Rochelle Shoretz, a visionary leader and a former law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Yet, her presence remains profoundly felt through Sharsheret, the national non-profit organization she founded from her dining room table. This week, as the Jewish community prepares for the year-end season of giving and the festival of Chanukah, Shoretz’s sons, Shlomo and Dovid Mirsky, have issued a poignant appeal to the public. They are calling on supporters to honor their mother’s memory by ensuring that the "chain" (the literal translation of Sharsheret) remains unbroken for the hundreds of thousands of families currently navigating the complexities of breast and ovarian cancer.
Main Facts: A Global Movement Born of Personal Necessity
What began in 2001 as a support group for five women has evolved into an international powerhouse in the field of cancer support and advocacy. Today, Sharsheret serves more than 275,000 individuals annually, providing a specialized, culturally sensitive framework for Jewish women and families facing hereditary cancer risks.
The year-end appeal, spearheaded by Shlomo and Dovid Mirsky, highlights a critical transition for the organization. As Sharsheret marks the tenth anniversary of Shoretz’s passing, it is no longer just a memorial to a founder but a vital health infrastructure. The organization’s primary mission remains the same: to provide a community for those who feel isolated by a diagnosis, particularly within the Jewish community where genetic predispositions, such as the BRCA mutation, are significantly more prevalent.
The Mirsky brothers, who were only three and five years old when their mother was first diagnosed, represent the "next generation" of advocacy. Their appeal emphasizes that Sharsheret’s work is far from finished. Despite medical advancements, the psychological, spiritual, and logistical burdens of cancer continue to weigh heavily on families, necessitating the specialized programs Sharsheret has spent over two decades refining.
Chronology: From a Dining Room Table to National Prominence
To understand the weight of the Mirsky brothers’ appeal, one must look back at the trajectory of Rochelle Shoretz’s life and the organization she built.
2001: The Diagnosis and the Taboo
At the age of 28, Rochelle Shoretz was a rising star in the legal world. After clerkships at the highest levels of the American judiciary, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2001, cancer—particularly in the young, Orthodox Jewish community—was often shrouded in silence. Shoretz found that while medical resources existed, there was a void where emotional and cultural support should be. She sought someone who understood the specific nuances of being a young Jewish mother, balancing religious life and career with the rigors of chemotherapy.
The Meeting with Lauryn Weiser
Shoretz eventually connected with Lauryn Weiser, another young Jewish mother who was slightly further along in her treatment. That single connection was the spark. Recognizing that every woman deserved a "link" to someone who understood her journey, Shoretz founded Sharsheret. The organization’s first meetings took place around her dining room table, focusing on the simple but revolutionary idea of peer-to-peer support.
2001–2015: Growth and Recognition
Under Shoretz’s leadership, Sharsheret expanded its reach. It moved beyond simple support groups to offer genetic counseling, financial subsidies for non-medical expenses, and educational webinars. Shoretz herself became a national figure, appointed to the Federal Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women by the CDC. Even as her own cancer returned and became metastatic, she continued to lead with a focus on life, humor, and resilience.
2015: A Legacy Entrusted
Rochelle Shoretz passed away in 2015 at the age of 42. Her death sent shockwaves through the advocacy community, but the foundation she built was solid. The organization did not fold; instead, it scaled.
2015–2025: The International Movement
In the decade since her passing, Sharsheret has grown its footprint to include regional offices across the United States and partnerships with health organizations worldwide. It has transitioned from a founder-led boutique charity to a major institutional player in the cancer support landscape, now serving over a quarter of a million people each year.
Supporting Data: The High Stakes of Jewish Hereditary Cancer
The necessity of Sharsheret is backed by sobering oncological data. Research has long established that individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent have a 1 in 40 chance of carrying a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation—nearly ten times higher than the general population. These mutations significantly increase the lifetime risk of developing breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers.
- Impact of Early Intervention: Sharsheret’s educational programs have been credited with increasing genetic screening rates in high-risk communities, leading to earlier detection and higher survival rates.
- The "Busy Box" Program: One of the organization’s most lauded initiatives, and one personally cited by the Mirsky brothers, is the Busy Box. Designed for parents undergoing treatment, these kits contain age-appropriate toys and resources to help children cope while their parents are incapacitated by treatment. To date, thousands of Busy Boxes have been distributed, serving as a silent partner in parenting for cancer patients.
- Demographics of Support: While rooted in Jewish tradition, Sharsheret’s resources are open to all. However, data shows that 85% of their core demographic seeks the organization specifically for its ability to navigate "Jewish life with cancer," including kosher meal support during recovery and guidance on Jewish law (halakha) regarding fertility and genetics.
Official Responses: Reflections on a Decade of Impact
In their joint statement, Shlomo and Dovid Mirsky reflected on the bittersweet nature of this ten-year milestone. "Mom has missed so many milestones—from our graduations to the birth of grandchildren," they wrote. "But she has also missed seeing Sharsheret reaching incredible heights. We know that thanks to the community’s generosity, Mom is looking down with pride."
The leadership at Sharsheret emphasizes that the year-end campaign is vital for sustaining their "no-cost" model. "We provide all our services—from genetic counseling to mental health support—free of charge," says a spokesperson for the organization. "That is only possible because of the legacy Rochelle left behind and the commitment of donors who understand that the fight against cancer is a marathon, not a sprint."
Health experts have also lauded the organization’s role in public health. Dr. Jane Goldberg, an oncologist specializing in hereditary cancers, noted, "Sharsheret fills a gap that the medical establishment often ignores: the cultural and familial context of illness. They don’t just treat a patient; they support a family."
Implications: The Future of Cancer Support and the Next Generation
The appeal by the Mirsky brothers signals a broader trend in non-profit sustainability: the transition of legacy from the founder to the "legacy generation." As Shlomo and Dovid take a more public role in advocating for Sharsheret, they bring a unique perspective—that of the children who were "served" by the organization they now help lead.
The implications for the future are twofold. First, there is the technological and medical evolution. Sharsheret is increasingly focusing on the "pre-vivor" community—those who know they carry a genetic mutation but have not yet developed cancer. By focusing on prophylactic measures and early surveillance, Sharsheret is moving the needle from reactive support to proactive prevention.
Second, there is the cultural implication. The "taboo" that Rochelle Shoretz faced in 2001 has largely been dismantled, thanks in no small part to her transparency. However, new challenges have emerged, including the rising costs of specialized care and the mental health crisis accompanying long-term cancer survivorship.
As the 2025 year-end campaign continues, the Mirsky brothers’ message is clear: the "chain" is only as strong as its newest links. By contributing to Sharsheret, donors are not just looking back at the 10 years since Rochelle Shoretz’s death; they are looking forward to the thousands of families who will receive a "Busy Box," a genetic counseling session, or a peer support call in the year to come.
The Mirskys concluded their appeal with a nod to the upcoming holiday: "With sincere gratitude and best wishes for a happy and healthy Chanukah." It is a fitting sentiment for an organization dedicated to bringing light into the darkest chapters of a family’s life.
How to Support:
Donations to Sharsheret’s year-end campaign can be made online at link.Sharsheret.org/EOY. The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
About the Author
