When 16-year-old Rivka Shotkin of Passaic, NJ, crossed the finish line at the 2023 Miami Marathon, she did so to the cheers of hundreds of supporters. Paralyzed from the chest down after a ski accident in 2021 that left her with broken bones, punctured lungs, and a severed spinal cord, Rivka was surrounded by family and friends running alongside as she pushed her wheelchair to the encouraging chants of her teammates.
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In response to the tragic plane crash which claimed the lives of two beloved members of the Cleveland Jewish community, Chai Lifeline’s Crisis Team has been providing immediate and ongoing support to local organizations and schools.
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Volunteer trainings taking place in communities across the globe
In the wake of recent tragic events, Chai Lifeline has been working closely with Jewish communities across the U.S. and around the world to train and recruit local volunteers in crisis and trauma response.
“A singular traumatic event can have a long-term impact on our children, families, and communities for years to come,” said Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox, director of Chai Lifeline Crisis Services. “Sadly, many tragedies in recent years—from illness diagnoses and sudden deaths to natural disasters and the war in Ukraine—have brought this issue to the forefront.”
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More than 1,100 children living with serious illnesses and their families got into the Chanukah spirit at Chai Lifeline’s annual Chanukah Party, on December 11 at The Art Factory in Paterson, NJ. The “Street Fair” themed event, which was sponsored by Chemed Health, drew families from across the tri-state area for delicious food, exciting games and prizes, and a fun night out to connect with other families and friends.
Participants of all ages enjoyed an array of barbecue and fresh donuts, as well as a variety of activities, including virtual reality competitions, cash booths, remote control racing, arts & crafts projects, and more. Yitzy Haber and Donny Weinraub of The Shnitzel Guys emceed the festivities, which featured a rocking concert from Moshe Tischler, as well as exotic animals, carnival jugglers, and stilt walkers.
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Once again, the Deal, NJ community came out in strong support of the children of Chai Lifeline as “Camp Simcha Without Borders – Simcha at the Shore” came to town. Launched in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Camp Simcha Without Borders was developed to bring the magic of Simcha to children and communities across the country through day camps and special programs and events in cities across the globe.
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As Chai Lifeline’s recently published Impact Report shows, 2021 was a year of significant accomplishment for the organization. The report highlights Chai Lifeline’s major achievements and the vital work taking place on the local and global levels, as well as the significant impact on nearly 6,000 families around the world.
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On Monday, December 20, luxury fashion brand Teri Jon by Rickie Freeman welcomed a group of Chai Lifeline girls impacted by pediatric illness to visit its Manhattan showroom and get an inside look at the world of fashion. The event was coordinated and led by Teri Jon Creative Director Leora Mishan who spoke about the process of fashion design and the power of taking ideas and insight from all around. The girls then enjoyed light refreshments before leaving for the Chai Lifeline New York office for lunch.
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While every family looks forward to celebrating Purim, the work involved in preparing for the joyous holiday can oftentimes be stressful. For families living with pediatric illness, particularly during the current COVID-19 pandemic, this time of year can be especially challenging. Chai Lifeline, the international children’s health network, offers a variety of programs and services to help its nearly 6,000 children and families with their everyday needs and truly enjoy their Purim.
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While the COVID-19 pandemic has made the past year extremely difficult, children—and the children of Chai Lifeline in particular—have had to confront their own set of challenges. For many, that meant a rough and tumultuous year of lockdowns, quarantines, Zoom school, and socially distanced activities. Chai Lifeline made sure that our kids and their families would finish 2020 on a much brighter note, with an incredible, smile-filled, action-packed Chanukah season.
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The effects of COVID-19 have been particularly difficult for families with seriously ill children. Since the onset of the pandemic, Chai Lifeline, the international children’s health support network, has seen significant growth in the number of families in need.
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