CHAI LIFELINE SOUTHEAST CELEBRATES ANNUAL GALA ON MARCH 13

Posted on February 4, 2019 by myaniv

Gala Will Pay Tribute to Guests of Honor Gina & Mitch Sinberg; Community Service Awardees Danielle & Jared Lustman; and Chai Builder Awardee Ben Rozsansky

Chai Lifeline Southeast will celebrate its 2019 Annual Gala on Wednesday, March 13, at Xtreme Action Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Synonymous with providing joy and hope to children with serious illness and their and families, Chai Lifeline Southeast has been providing vital social, emotional and financial support to Florida’s Jewish community for over 32 years through its various programs and services. read full story →

Oncology Doctor Runs For Team Lifeline In Memory of Beloved Patient

Posted on January 30, 2019 by myaniv

Every once in a while, someone comes into your life and changes you forever. For Dr. Andrew Silverman, Oncology Fellow at Children’s Hospital of New York Presbyterian at Columbia University Medical Center, that someone was a boy named Eli.

Eli’s sister Yehudis and Dr. Andrew Silverman ran in memory of Eli as part of Team Lifeline at the Miami Half Marathon.

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Chai Lifeline Winter Retreat Gives Families Inspiration and Tools to Cope With Pediatric Illness

Posted on December 31, 2018 by myaniv

The Chai Lifeline Annual LH Financial Winter Retreat held this year on December 27-29 at the beautiful Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park, NJ, brought together 500 family members, rabbinic figures, mental health experts, volunteers, and staff for an extended weekend of professional and peer support, educational programming, respite and relaxation, and inspiration.

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Chai Lifeline Hosts NYC Councilwoman Diana Ayala

Posted on December 17, 2018 by myaniv

New York City Councilwoman Diana Ayala visited Chai Lifeline’s Midtown Manhattan headquarters yesterday to learn more about the various programs and services Chai Lifeline offers children with serious illnesses and their families at no cost.

(L-R): Josh Mehlman, Chairman of the Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition; New York City Councilwoman Diana Ayala; Rabbi Simcha Scholar, Chai Lifeline Chief Executive Officer; and Moty Gobioff, Chai Lifeline National Director of Client Services.

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Chai Lifeline Chanukah Parties Bring Light to Children and Families Battling Pediatric Illness

Posted on November 28, 2018 by awitty

More than 50,000 toys to be distributed to families worldwide at annual parties and area hospitals

Fifteen-hundred people from the greater New York area gathered to celebrate Chanukah at The Palace in Brooklyn on Tuesday, November 27, at the Chai Lifeline Annual Family Chanukah Party. Upon entering, the guests were transported into a tropical-themed paradise where they feasted on a delicious buffet dinner. The event was sponsored by Cross River Bank.

Photo credit: Shimon Friedman

The children were entertained with many Chanukah crafts projects before enjoying a concert featuring the music of Lipa Schmeltzer, who helped get the crowd into the Chanukah spirit. At the conclusion of the party, each family was given a huge box filled with toys which were selected especially for them and collected as part of the Honey Engel Toy Drive by dedicated Chai Lifeline Toy Drive volunteers. Door prizes, festive foods, cookie-decorating, and the company of beloved volunteers and Big Brothers/Big Sisters also added to the excitement. Chai Lifeline volunteer Laurie Sutton and Floral Art were responsible for the beautiful décor, while Chavie Horn lent her talents as an event planner.

Photo credit: Chani Reichenberg

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Chai Lifeline Pays Tribute to Rabbi Elie Estrin and his Family for Their Service to Our Nation

Posted on November 12, 2018 by awitty

“I never imagined I would be in the military.”

So began the journey of one Chai Lifeline family – from a devastating diagnosis for their newborn son – to a lifetime of service as a reserve military personnel liaison connecting with Jewish soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines across the world. On this Veterans Day, Chai Lifeline pays tribute to Rabbi Elie Estrin and his family for their service to our nation:

Here, in his own words, is Rabbi Estrin’s story:

“My wife and I have six children. Our youngest son is now almost three-years-old. He was born with complex congenital heart disease as a result of heterotaxy. Despite being born in hospice care with a life expectancy of 4-6 hours, he’s proven all the doctors wrong and has done unbelievably well. read full story →

CHAI LIFELINE WEST COAST CELEBRATES 18 YEARS OF PROVIDING HELP & HOPE TO CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES

Posted on November 9, 2018 by awitty

Several hometown heroes, including LA Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig, were on hand at The Saban Theater in Beverly Hills on Monday, November 5, as Chai Lifeline West Coast celebrated 18 years of providing social, emotional, and financial support to children and families suffering from pediatric illness or loss at its annual Legacy of Hope Gala.

(L-R): LA Dodger Yasiel Puig; Davis Factor; Marilyn Sohacheski, Benefactor, Chai Lifeline West Coast, Sohacheski Family Center

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CHAI LIFELINE’S PROJECT CHAI TRAINS TEAM LEADERS TO RESPOND IN TIMES OF CRISIS

Posted on November 1, 2018 by awitty

Project Chai, the Crisis Intervention, Trauma, and Bereavement department of Chai Lifeline, hosted a leadership training seminar at Chai Lifeline’s Manhattan headquarters on October 31. The session offered guidance to select volunteers on leading their community’s Project Chai teams and is part of the rigorous, formal training program all volunteers must undergo for providing intervention following crises and traumatic events.

Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox and Project Chai Team Leaders

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In the Aftermath of The Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre

Posted on October 28, 2018 by myaniv

IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH OF THE PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE MASSACRE:
ADDRESSING THE HORROR AND TRAGEDY WITH STUDENTS AND CHILDREN

A message from Project Chai, the crisis intervention, trauma and bereavement department of Chai Lifeline

Death, under any circumstance, is a painful and troubling event to face.

When our young people learn about the death of someone whom they knew, particularly if they have not encountered loss before, our task is somewhat clear. We open up a dialogue at an age-appropriate level, we listen to the child’s thoughts and observe their emotional expression, and we validate their personal reaction. Depending upon their age and maturity, and upon the questions which they pose to us, we can offer information, we might correct misunderstandings, we can clarify concepts, and we can offer support that we will continue to be open to them as they struggle to cope. Some of the same messages which we try to give ourselves when faced with tragic loss are given to young people, always at a pace and level which the child or teen can relate to. read full story →

Preparing Your Child for a Hospital Stay

Posted on October 24, 2018 by myaniv

The following has been adapted from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) web resource.

Visiting a hospital for any reason can be a scary experience for children of all ages — especially when your child will be in the hospital overnight for what’s called an inpatient stay. These tips can help you prepare your child for his/her visit so that he/she feels more comfortable about their upcoming hospital stay. read full story →