On May 22-23, more than 50 Chai Lifeline mothers of children with serious illness from across the New York region came together for a special moms retreat. The two-day getaway was held at the beautiful Camp Simcha campus in Glen Spey, NY. The mothers enjoyed special workshops, fun performances, and delicious food.
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How to Talk to Children About the Texas School Shooting: Guidelines for Parents and Educators
Chai Lifeline is devastated by the horrific elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and mourns the tragic and senseless deaths of 19 children and two teachers. If you or someone you know is struggling to cope in the aftermath of this terrible event, we encourage you to contact our crisis support services at 855-3-CRISIS or crisis@chailifeline.org.
Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox, director of Chai Lifeline’s Crisis Services, has issued the following guidelines to help parents and educators talk to their children during times of crisis.
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Chai Lifeline NJ/PA & CHOP Host “An Insiders’ Look” into World of Pediatric Medicine for Jewish Community
Physicians, medical referral professionals, askanim, rabbanim, and leaders of nonprofit organizations serving communities in the Tri-State area and beyond gathered at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) on Tuesday evening, May 24, for “An Insiders’ Look at CHOP,” a special event in collaboration with Chai Lifeline. Guests came from as far as Florida and Illinois to meet and hear from leading physicians and scientists who are pioneering surgical techniques and developing new treatments for childhood diseases at CHOP’s state-of-the-art facilities.
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Off To The Races, Chai Lifeline Kids Attend Miami Grand Prix 
On May 8, Chai Lifeline kids got to experience the race of a lifetime at this year’s Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix race. A special anonymous donor generously provided four nights at a hotel and highly sought, sold-out tickets to 18 Chai Lifeline kids and their families. The group had a great time watching drivers race by their track-side seats up-close.
read full storyEnglewood Community Hosts Chai Lifeline Englewood Friends and Fun Shabbaton
On May 13-14, over 125 girls impacted by pediatric illness and dedicated volunteers came together for Chai Lifeline’s annual Friends and Fun Shabbaton in Englewood, NJ. The retreat, organized by Lori Schlakman and Deborah Berger, started off with a pre-Shabbat welcome event at the East Hill Synagogue and continued with davening and a delicious dinner at Congregation Ahavath Torah. On Shabbat morning, Chai Lifeline Warrior Whitney shared her story of strength and resilience and reflected on her experience at Camp Simcha.
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Staff Spotlight: Benny Flusberg, Achim B’Yachad Volunteer Coordinator
I first connected with Chai Lifeline in Antwerp where a coordinator called me up and told me he thought I’d be a great volunteer. As I volunteered, I started building these really deep connections with Chai Lifeline kids (some of whom I still keep in touch with until this day). After I got married, I moved to America where someone introduced me to Hershey Katz, the director of Achim B’Yachad, which supports Chai Lifeline’s Chassidic clients… and the rest is history.
read full storyChai Lifeline Midwest Receives Klepak Foundation Grant to Launch Performing Arts Program, Strengthen Case Management
Chai Lifeline, the leading Jewish children’s health support network, has received a grant of $100,000 from the Ralla Klepak Foundation for the Education in the Performing Arts to support the development of new initiatives in the performing arts and bolster its Midwest case management program.
“Ralla Klepak, of blessed memory, understood the powerful role the arts play in bringing joy and hope to the disadvantaged,” said Rabbi Shlomo Crandall, director of Chai Lifeline Midwest. “This grant will enable us to carry on Ralla’s legacy of compassion and care through exciting new programming for children and families in our community.”
read full storyThousands Attend Chai Lifeline Pre-Pesach Event
A sea of people, festive music, bright banners, and high spirits met the eyes of motorists driving past Airport Road this week Sunday and Monday. The crowd of Chai Lifeline families, volunteers, and lay leaders enjoyed an elaborate Pre-Pesach barbecue dinner and carnival, which kept hundreds of children entertained, well-fed, and far from the Chometz-free zones in their homes.
Families battling illness were relieved to have the opportunity to feed their children a nutritious supper in the hectic pre-Pesach days, while their cars were cleaned to a shine.
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Staff Spotlight: Nechama Miller, Chai Lifeline Mid-Atlantic Senior Case Manager
What drew me to Chai Lifeline was seeing and hearing about so much pain and suffering and not being able to help. My position at Chai Lifeline, allows me to respond to illness and make a difference in the world. As a case manager, my day-to-day is always really different however, I generally spend my time building relationships with both families and volunteers. This is in addition to the general event planning and supporting families, through respite, big siblings programs, helping with errands or meals, etc. My favorite part of the job is connecting with families on a personal level and being able to alleviate their burden, even just a little bit, during a difficult time.
read full storyChai Lifeline New Jersey Closes on 4-Acre Property, to Build 50,000 Square Foot Home for Children and Families
Announcing the Dedication of The Herzka Children and Family Services Center Dedicated by Ralph and Yenny Herzka and Chuny and Chavi Herzka in Memory of Their Parents/ Grandparents
Chai Lifeline New Jersey, serving more than 1,000 families in the Lakewood area facing illness and crisis, has just closed on a 4-acre property. A 50,000 square foot, state-of-the-art home for children and families is set to be constructed on the site. The transformational new center will serve as the heart of all current Chai Lifeline New Jersey services as well as host an array of vital new programs and services.
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