September 8 Concert to Feature Mordechai Shapiro and Benny Friedman; Honor Legacy of Ralla Klepak a”h

Chai Lifeline Midwest is thrilled to announce the Roth&Co Harmony of Hope Concert, benefitting the children and families of Chai Lifeline Midwest. The concert will take place on Sunday, September 8th at the Copernicus Center, located at 5216 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago.

Between hospitalizations and frequent medical appointments, Chai Lifeline families navigating illness at home can often feel overwhelmed. The Chai Lifeline Southeast Freezer Program helps alleviate that burden and provides families with a sense of calm and relief. The new Miami Beach location has just been added as the fifth location of this program, which also provides meal support to families across South Florida, including Boca, Hollywood, North Miami Beach, and Atlanta, GA. This program allows Chai Lifeline families to choose foods from a detailed menu that local community members prepare and freeze in advance. The Chai Lifeline family is then delivered a freezer full of delicious, home-cooked foods—from soups to desserts and everything in between—to be pulled out and warmed up at the family’s convenience.

Chai Lifeline Midwest announces its most critical fundraiser of the year, the “Mission Possible” campaign. For 25 years, Chai Lifeline Midwest has provided unwavering support and critical assistance to children and families in our community living with illness, crisis, and loss. The 36-hour crowdfunding campaign begins Tuesday, July 9 at 10 AM and will run through Wednesday, July 10 at 10 PM, with a goal of raising $1 million to expand its vital services in Chicago and across the Midwest. All funds raised will be matched dollar for dollar thanks to generous benefactors, doubling the impact of each donation.  

When my daughter Evy was diagnosed with cancer at age seven and began treatment, it was incredibly difficult to see my child unwell. As a physician, it was especially challenging to know that she had a long road ahead filled with many procedures and treatments that were not only scary but would likely make her feel even worse.

This summer, hundreds of children with serious illnesses will have the opportunity to experience the joy and camaraderie of summer camp through the Camp Simcha Without Borders initiative, now in its fourth year. Spearheaded by Chai Lifeline, this program allows the impactful experiences of the flagship Camp Simcha to be accessible to boys and girls right in their own communities.

Chai Lifeline West Coast hosted its inaugural women’s event, Pampering For A Purpose, on Thursday, May 16th, at Tikkun Holistic Spa in Santa Monica. The event was a resounding success, offering a day of wellness and relaxation for women while also supporting an incredible cause. The entire full-circle experience provided a meaningful way for women in the community to connect with and support the mothers of Chai Lifeline while learning about other impactful ways to be of service and support.

Chai Lifeline’s annual Friends and Fun Shabbaton took place on May 17-18, bringing together 63 girls impacted by pediatric illness, over 150 dedicated volunteers, and the wonderful women of the Englewood community. The committee included Rivka Gordon, Deborah Berger, Jodi Cohen and Lori Schlackman, a group that has worked together on this Shabbaton for the past 12 years. This powerful weekend not only provided joy but also fostered a deep sense of unity and support among all participants. 

As the school year winds down, one particular group of students is looking back with a distinct sense of accomplishment and satisfaction knowing they have made a real difference in the lives of others. Through Chai Lifeline’s Goodman Family i-Shine afterschool program, more than 800 teen volunteers have served as mentors to children affected by serious illness or loss. The program takes place in communities across the country for weekly sessions that include dinner, homework help, and various recreational activities, providing essential support to these often-overlooked ‘shadow children.’