This past Shabbos, the Englewood community came together for Chai Lifeline’s 14th annual Shabbaton, held May 1–2. The weekend brought together clients impacted by pediatric illness, hundreds of dedicated volunteers, and the women of the Englewood community for a Shabbos full of connection, inspiration, and joy.
This year, over 60 clients attended, five of whom were experiencing a Chai Lifeline event for the very first time. It was a true honor to welcome them and be a part of their introduction to this special community.
The Shabbaton kicked off Friday afternoon with a pre-Shabbos welcome event at East Hill Synagogue, where high school girls had the chance to connect before Shabbos began. Davening and a festive dinner followed at Congregation Ahavath Torah, with 11th and 12th grade girls invited to join.
Following Shachris, attendees got to hear the powerful stories of Sarah and Lina Sinay, a mother and daughter who spoke about how cancer upended their world and impacted each of them in different ways.
Sarah, who was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer during her sophomore year of high school, reflected on how Chai Lifeline transformed some of her hardest moments. “Chai Lifeline has been the greatest gift to me and my family. They didn’t just step in during our darkest moments. They gently took those broken moments and rewrote them into some of the most meaningful, beautiful experiences of our lives,” she said.
Her mother Lina spoke about the profound difference Chai Lifeline made for her entire family and the way they showed up without waiting to be asked: “They didn’t ask, ‘How can we help you?’ They said, ‘Let us help you.’ And that difference is everything. Because when you’re in survival mode, you don’t have the strength to explain what you need.”
At noon, a community kiddush was held, open to the broader Englewood community, followed by some ‘fun in the sun’ and a festive lunch at Congregation Ahavath Torah, with 9th and 10th grade girls invited to join. The afternoon brought women together for tea at the Careena and Drew Parker home, featuring a special performance by renowned magician Ilan Smith.
Later in the day, attendees reconvened for Mincha and Seudah Shlishit, where they heard from Maya Rak, a 16-year-old who traveled from Cleveland to share her story. After five years battling osteosarcoma, including an amputation at age 12 and multiple lung surgeries, Maya was at one point given just two to three months to live. Three months later, she was in complete remission. Her story was not just one of survival, but of hard-won perspective: “When I thought my life was over, Chai Lifeline helped me realize it had just begun. Life is all about perspective, it’s about going through something hard and continuing anyway.”
After Maariv and a beautiful musical Havdalah, the night came alive with a Motzei Shabbos DJ dance party open to all high school girls and women from the community, closing out the weekend on a high note.
“The Englewood community has built something truly special, and we are so grateful for their continued support of our families,” said Rabbi Simcha Scholar, CEO of Chai Lifeline. “This Shabbaton was a powerful reminder of what a community can be when it shows up fully, with open homes, open hearts, and a commitment to ensuring no family faces illness alone.”
Chai Lifeline is deeply grateful to the hosts, volunteers, and participants who made this Shabbos so meaningful, and of course to the dedicated Shabbaton committee including Rivka Gordon, Deborah Berger, Jodi Cohen, and Lori Schlackman, who have led this effort for the past 14 years.
Chai Lifeline is an international support network, providing social, emotional, and practical assistance to children, families, and communities impacted by medical crises and trauma through a variety of year-round programs and services. Learn more at www.chailifeline.org.
