This may have been Misameach’s most enchanting event yet. This year’s annual event, sponsored by Chai Care and Chuny Herzka, was designed to bring a feel of vacation and sunshine to children and families who face the darkness of serious illnesses every day.
A bright blue ocean backdrop set up behind beach chairs and umbrellas on real sand greeted the families as they entered Lake Terrace and received a bulging gift bag packed with toys, games and treats. Before heading under the massive balloon arch into the main hall, each family was treated to a beautiful photo shoot by Magnet Memory, with their photos printed on magnets for a memorable “vacation” souvenir.
The hall was pumping with exciting music played live, pro-bono, by the band Rhythm 5, the joyful beats streaming from the top notch sound system supplied gratis by Betzalel Bree. The stunning décor, designed by Sprezzatura Events and built by Nailed It Handyman with supplies donated by Woodhaven and G.T. Signs, transported the guests straight to the beachfront, with a wooden boardwalk along one side of the room featuring all kinds of carnival booths and moon bounces bobbing on either side. Volunteers at a central, grass-skirted table doled out delicious snow cones, cotton candy on sticks, fresh popcorn and more!
The New Jersey Chaplain Association arranged for Ocean County Sherriff Michael G. Mastronardy to once again bring his special booth where each child received their very own photo on a Sherriff ID card.
The delicious hot fleishig buffet sponsored by Epstein’s Meats was enjoyed around ocean blue tables decorated with beach bags, sunglasses, beach balls, bright yellow balloons, and positioned under outdoor lights that were strung across the room.
Suddenly, the MC, Baruch Perlowitz, began to call up the surprise performers; Jewish superstars who came to sing their latest hits for the Misameach families – including Mordechai Shapiro, Meilich Kohn, Benny Friedman, Uri Davidi, Menachem Biton, Ari Zoldan and child soloist Moshe Rosenberg . The children and volunteers danced and sang the night away, their faces shining with joy.
But the fun didn’t end there… the main feature of the evening was still to come. The Amazing Circus Show began with an incredible motorcycle stunt performance in the giant Globe of Death, followed by thrilling circus acts that defied gravity as the crowd watched in awe.
The memorable event was once again a testament to Misameach’s dedicated and hardworking volunteers who spent countless hours of their days and nights pulling together this incredible evening.
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(See more clips on our Instagram page.)
Wanna know why I love Benny Friedman, besides that he does hundreds of hours of singing for free, for Chessed ? Because, as far as I know, he is the only top flight singer who has sheet music, for all his songs, for FREE on his website. One called and emailed several other singers and they dont have it. I also have to say, it happens to be, just today I called R’ Lavy Falkowitz Shlit”a and he sent me links to all his albums sheet music. Even cooler, some of his songs he sent the sheets in several keys !! As a professional Kumzitz guy, that’s so Amazing. Thanx, guys, Tizku L’Mitzvos !!
I am absolutely HUMBLED by the sheer vastness and beauty of this event. What Lipa Schwartz has done with Misameach in just a few short yrs is nothing short of remarkable. And we gotta thank the entertainers, who all came fro FREEEEEEEEE – how many of us do our work, hundreds and hundreds of hourse a year – for free ??!! Thank you Efraim Shapiro, Uri Davidi,Benny Friedman & Meilech Cohen. Thanx to the whole Rhythm 5 who all came for free (&they’re not from Lkwd) & Tzally Bree for doing the whole sound for FREE. Rabbosai, next time you make a Simcha, have these guys in mind. No, they didn’t ask me to say that.
Wow !! What an event – LIpa, You Rock !!
@123 brings up a good point. I remember reading somewhere a singer was saying no other profession does so much chesed as the Music Industry. When you think about it, to get a full band, sound and lighting guy, top level singers, to all come for free, is beyond amazing. And a massive Kiddush H-shem. Not to mention, a huge chizzuk to the families in attendance.
Tizku L’Mitzvos to all that dedicated their time for this stunning event.