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.
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.
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
Chai Lifeline promised supporters an evening to dream, hope, and be inspired at its 2018 Annual Gala on Monday, November 19, and it delivered! Close to 1,100 people in attendance at the Gala, held at the Grand Hyatt in New York City, were treated to an event filled with smiles, tears, and celebration. read full story
“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
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
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
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
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
New York City Councilman and Chair of the Council’s Health Committee Mark Levine visited Chai Lifeline’s Midtown Manhattan headquarters yesterday to learn more about the various programs and services Chai Lifeline offers to children with life-threatening or lifelong illnesses and their families at no cost.
(L-R): Motti Gobioff, Chai Lifeline National Director of Client Services; Josh Mehlman, Chairman of the Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition; New York City Councilman Mark Levine; Rabbi Simcha Scholar, Chai Lifeline Chief Executive Officer; and Nachman Maimon, Chai Lifeline Program and Camp Director
