PHOTOS & VIDEO: [Singing their hit Wavin’ Flags] This past Shabbos, Parshas Vayeira, the Edison-Highland Park, NJ communities hosted an incredible Friends ‘N Fun Shabbaton for thirty boys living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and their energetic and dynamic counselors. Friends ‘N Fun Shabbatons are one of Chai Lifeline’s newest programs. These weekends in communities across the country bring together children, counselors, and Chai Lifeline friends for a Shabbos of high spirited joy and hope. In the past two years, the Chai Lifeline has held 22 weekends in the greater NY area, South Florida, Los Angeles, and Chicago regions. More than 1,500 Chai lifeline participants and staff members have attended.
The Shabbosos are also a boon to campers who don’t get to see their camp friends during the year. Additionally, they introduce potential campers to the spirit of camp, and give them an opportunity to meet friends who may be their bunkmates in the summer.
Community volunteers spearheaded the entire effort, giving children and counselors the royal treatment from the moment they arrived. The combination of devoted hosts and the lively Camp Simcha counselors melded together to create an environment of pure delight and support that will sustain our campers throughout the long winter months.
The hundreds of community residents who joined the very special children of Chai Lifeline for Shalosh Seudos were privileged to hear special remarks from Rabbi Sruli Fried, MSW, Director of Chai Lifeline NJ. Danny Ludner, a Chai lifeline child, equated the story of the angels sent to visit Abraham when he was convalescing to the amazing work of Chai Lifeline’s volunteers who go to the hospitals and homes of very ill children to cheer them up and offer them hope.
Chai Lifeline thanks the Shabbaton hosts and the planning committee; Mr. and Mrs. Alan Borck, Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Even-Hen, Mr. and Mrs. Moshe Feuer, Mr. and Mrs. Efrem Gerszberg, Mr. and Mrs. Yoni Kohn, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Lutz, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Reinetz, Mr. and Mrs. Psachya Septimus and Mr. and Mrs. David Waizer for opening their hearts and their homes and provided games, activities, and entertainment.
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Sruli,
The Rebbie is proud of U. keep up the Hafatzs Mayanos
No words.
To all those boys that make this happen: Yevorechecho H’ V’Yishmerecho…
I got to know Efarim & Gila Gerzberg when I worked on their home in Highland Park. They’re both very unassuming but, it was soon very clear, that their house is a massive clearing house of chessed for whatever has to be done at any time. Tizku L’mitzvos, Efraim & Gila. Dudi B.
I think everyone in town should get on the email/text list of Chai Lifeline volunteers. I don’t even mean to volunteer, but just to see what’s going on. You see the amount of rides, meals, visitation, respite that go on every single day is mind numbing. And that’s besides for the big-bash chanuka, Purim, summer parties. Besides for the camp, sorry, 2 Camps. But every day, day in-day out, you have people like Charna & Naomi (not to mention Mrs Polter, the best writer ) coordianting help, mamesh a lifeline, to families in need. the z’chus zull enk beishtayn !!
Thank you to Chai Lifeline, the Camp SImcha volunteers, and the WONDERFUL community for hosting the boys this past weekend! You all brought such joy to my son, and made a difference in his life!
thank you all chilifeline for every thing you do for me