Rabbis’ bloody good donation

INSPIRED by the mitzvah of hatzolat nefashot (saving lives), the Rabbinical Council of Victoria (RCV) enlisted a group of its affiliate rabbis to donate blood at the newly opened Red Cross blood bank in Caulfield.

Organised by RCV president Rabbi Yaakov Glasman, a group of communal rabbis turned up on Monday morning, rolled up their sleeves and gave the gift of blood, enjoying kosher snacks provided by the blood bank after their efforts.

“Tzedakah (charity) is a tremendously important mitzvah. Some people donate money, others volunteer their time, what we’re asking is for those who can to donate blood and make a huge difference to someone’s life,” Rabbi Glasman said.

The RCV hopes that the initiative will prompt community members to make the short trip to the blood bank and give a donation of their own, even pairing with the Council of Orthodox Synagogues of Victoria to host an upcoming ShabbatDonor, where donors or recipients will speak about their experience.

DALIA SABLE

Pictured (from left) are rabbis Elisha Greenbaum, Reuvi Cooper, Samuel Altschul and Yaakov Glasman, with blood bank nurse Anna Vainer. Photo: Lochlan Tangas.