“They took a unique mitzvah project
on, and they were very receptive to
Continued from Page 17
it — I don’t think I could have done
this at that age.”
is very rare — there are only about
Pamela said she never wanted
500 cases of it in the United States
the cancer to define Julia, but
each year — but it is a highly cur-
rather have her be able to look back
able form of the disease.
and see how she endured some-
Julia’s tumor was removed two
thing major.
months later. She remained on a
“It’s nice to know that you can
feeding tube for eight months. She
overcome very challenging situa-
received chemotherapy for a total of
tions,” she said. “She’s a survivor.”
six months, followed by occupational
Julia wasn’t the only one affect-
and physical therapy.
ed by the cancer.
“They’re identical twins, but for
Her oncologist, Dr. Julie Stern,
a long time you could tell who was
treated her right after she was diag-
who because of the illness and the
nosed and has worked with her ever
lack of hair. Then one day somebody
since. She will also be attending
said to me, ‘Which one’s which?’ and
their B’not Mitzvah.
it was like this monumental realiza-
When Julia was doing therapy,
tion that it didn’t show anymore,”
Pamela said.
Remi (left) and Julia are all smiles after their successful blood drive at Stern would see her and the family
Fortunately, neither Julia nor Re-
Tiferet Bet Israel. every week for several months. But
Rachel Kurland now, only yearly check-ups are re-
mi have had any serious medical is-
quired. sues since, though Remi’s broken
Stern developed a bond with the Rosenthal family, as did many
arm from a biking accident is debatable, in her opinion. Aside from
other staff members. She said they were easy to get to know and
annual checkups, Julia just has to drink more water and wear a kidney
take care of, and a very warm and open family.
guard when she plays sports.
“There’s certain kids you just really make a connection with,
Pamela suggested a blood drive to the twins, and they were
and the Rosenthals are like that for me,” she said. “I’m excited when
instantly excited with the idea because they know what it did
I see her name on the patient roster for the day.”
for Julia.
Because the twins were so young when Julia was sick, Stern said,
She said she’s proud of her daughters, as any mother would be.
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“that’s sort of the blessing of treating kids that age. While it’s part of
them, it doesn’t define them.”
Stern added that Wilms’ tumor is the most common type of
kidney or renal tumor in children, even though there are only 500
cases of it in the United States each year, as compared to an esti-
mated 2,670 children and 410 adolescents diagnosed with acute
lymphocytic leukemia last year, the most common type of child-
hood cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.
“We work so hard to get kids to this point, and it’s just nice to be
able to be a part of that,” Stern said, choking up a little. “I just think
it’s amazing to be invited and to be included in their celebration.”
She’s been to some patients’ weddings or been called when ba-
bies were born, but nothing compares to celebrating the twins’
B’not Mitzvah.
“For me, being Jewish and having a bond with them and knowing
just how important B’not Mitzvot is, it’s just really, really touching for
me to be involved with the family,” she said.
Strangers were just as impressed with the twins.
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We’re not those kind of twins who can’t
stand each other, we’re basically best friends.”
REMI ROSENTHAL
Bernice Steinberg did not hesitate to donate blood when she
heard about the drive. The 85-year-old is a seasoned donor, and has
been giving blood for most of her life.
“I have it, I’m healthy and it’s going to help somebody,” she said.
She usually gives at the biannual blood drives at Tiferet Bet Israel,
where she is a member, and was blown away when she heard about
the sisters’ story.
“For two young kids to take that on and work hard, it means
something to them and it’s their way of giving back too for what
was down for them,” she said. “If you can help somebody, you
help them.”
And helping others through their mitzvah project is certainly
coming full circle.
The sisters grew up at Tiferet Bet Israel, attending pre-school
and beyond.
“I’ve been here my whole life, so it’s really special that I’m be-
coming an adult finally after such a long time being here in this
community, that’s what’s really important to me,” Remi said.
“I think TBI has a lot of meaning to us because so many special
things have happened here for us,” Julia added.
The girls are more than twins; they are best friends. The two sev-
enth-graders do just about everything together.
They watch Once Upon a Time and America’s Next Top Model
with all the ladies in their family: their mother, older sister Abby
and cats Bella and Tali. They share the same circle of friends. They
have the same teachers at Wissahickon Middle School, though
Remi prefers language arts and Julia likes math. They also share
a bedroom.
“It’s nice that I don’t have to wait for school to see her,” Julia said.
“We’re not those kind of twins who can’t stand each other, we’re
basically best friends,” Remi said. “I think it would be really hard if I
didn’t have a twin sister because I’ve grown up my whole life with a
twin, and I can’t imagine what it’s like not to have one.” l
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