Getting ready for Pesach is hard enough, but for families facing pediatric illness and medical crisis, Yom Tov preparations can feel impossible. Chai Lifeline, the Jewish community’s leading health support network, is there to help families every step of the way so they can focus on what truly matters most—the health and wellbeing of their loved ones. 

As Adar arrived and Purim joy filled the air, preparations for Chai Lifeline families brought both excitement and unexpected stress. While our families navigate pediatric illness, the challenges of this season are magnified. In response, Chai Lifeline supported nearly 6,000 families, ensuring they could embrace the spirit of Purim while addressing their everyday needs. There were a variety of impactful programs and services available to Chai Lifeline families in the New Jersey/Pennsylvania, Greater New York, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and West Coast regions. 

In the NJ/PA region, dedicated volunteers took children to buy the items necessary to build mishloach manot. After an uplifting shopping trip, the children returned to the Art Spot in Lakewood, NJ to assemble packages and enjoy a delicious supper with their peers. 

Chai Lifeline is pleased to announce the recent hires of Atara Garbacz and Jen Lax as co-directors of the Alumni Initiative. Together, they bring a wealth of passion and dedication to Chai Lifeline, with a clear vision to grow and engage the Camp Simcha alumni community.

As Purim quickly approaches, Chai Lifeline is excited to offer again this year a stress-free and heartfelt initiative that brings together tradition, charity, and simcha! Instead of preparing Mishloach Manot, we invite everyone to consider purchasing Purim cards in support of our efforts to deliver joy and hope to children and families impacted by illness & crisis.

The Chai Lifeline Annual Regional Directors Conference was held from January 8-9 in the Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch, NJ, with representation from Greater New York, New Jersey/Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, and West Coast, as well as Toronto, Montreal, Israel, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. The leadership team united to foster collaboration and innovation in enhancing support for children, families, volunteers, and staff involved in the Chai Lifeline community.  

Chai Lifeline Mid-Atlantic, the leading local support organization for families facing pediatric illness, announces its most critical fundraiser of the year, “Mission Possible.” The online crowdfunding campaign, starting Motzei Shabbos, February 3 at 8 PM and concluding at midnight on February 4, aims to raise $500,000 to expand its vital services in Baltimore, Silver Spring, and the greater Washington DC area. All funds raised will be matched dollar for dollar thanks to generous benefactors, doubling the impact of each donation.

In a show of solidarity and unity between Israel and the Jewish people, a special group of 10 Israeli soldiers will join Team Lifeline at the upcoming Miami Marathon on January 28. Having received special permission to travel to Florida to participate in the run for Chai Lifeline, Team Lifeline participants and donors will not only be showing their support for heroic children dealing with critical illness but also with the people of Israel and the IDF.