Blood drive and its founder approach 30 year milestone
Jason Cohen
May 9, 2008
This year will mark the 30th anniversary for the Congregation Ohev Shalom Marlboro Jewish Center blood drive. Isabel Jacob, the blood drive chairperson for the Center, has run it for the past 30 years.
Jacob is one of the original members of the Temple, with a long list of accomplishments there, including: from 1972 to 1974 she was the president of the sisterhood; during the Yom Kippur War, she helped organize a rally with two other synagogues that raised $50,000 in support of Israel; four years ago due to their outstanding dedication and service to the temple she and her husband were given the Ohev Shalom Award.
In 1978, Jacob decided every fall to host a blood drive at the Center. Then in 1991, the blood drive began to take place twice a year once in the fall and once in the late spring.
"I changed it to twice a year so that college students have the chance to give as well," Jacob told The Jewish State.
But, what started it all was a congregant who needed heart surgery.
Jacob felt that, "If there was one thing that people shouldn't have to worry about, it was getting the right blood."
Throughout the past 30 years this has been one of the most successful blood drives in the area largely due to Jacob's efforts.
"I start by putting it in the temple bulletin two months in advance and going to every possible sisterhood, men's club or board meeting at the temple to let everyone know about the blood drive," Jacob said.
But she feels that the best way to get people to come is by calling everyone that has given blood over the past few years.
"I feel that it needs to be a personal phone call, not just a name," she said.
Additionally, through the help of Rabbi Toni Shy, she is able to spread the word of the blood drive at every service and even more at the high holidays.
In addition to the staff of the temple office and the rabbi, Jacob has a large group of people that help her every year for both blood drives.
"There are really too many people to name, but they help me a great deal by serving food and registering people, and it simply couldn't be done alone," said Jacob.
But why should anyone really care about giving blood? Jacob noted that it is a chance to reach out to help people when they don't have the energy to ask.
Commenting on how much giving blood means, Jacob said, "Remember Superman and Batman growing up? Well, you can be that Superman and Batman and save a life."
The drive has come a long way since it started 30 years ago. Today, the drive has third-generation givers where grandmothers, mothers, and daughters come to give blood.
Jacob said that many people don't realize how important it is to give blood until it hits home.
"When my cousin Phil got sick and needed blood, it made it personal," Jacob remarked.
She feels the blood drive needs to continue for a long time.
"I plan to continue to run this for the next 100 years," she said. "I'm too young to retire and I'm just getting started. You know what happens when you retire -- you expire."
"But more importantly, I feel that with life, you have to keep on living and giving," she added. "Overall, we regenerate blood in a short time; if you can give, save someone's life. They need a source, we are that source. But most importantly I believe that if you save one life, it's as if you save the world."
This year's blood drive will take place Tuesday, June 17 from