This past Sunday, Mordechai Ben David went on a cruise on the Hudson River. A dozen crewmembers and four hundred passengers joined him aboard the magnificent Vista Jubilee. From the time they departed until docking it was only three hours, but the experience was once-in-a-lifetime.

Misameach did what they do best: bringing smiles to children’s faces. Hundreds of patients and families were treated to an afternoon cruise with the best in the Jewish entertainment world. MBD led a kumzitz on the boat, with Beri Weber accompanying. Shlomo “Hadarshan” Juravel was a comic relief, and passengers enjoyed an elegant buffet cuisine.

Sno-cones, cotton candy, balloons, clowns, giftbags, and live music/kumzitz, were all provided for the children and their families. As the boat passed the Statue of Liberty and other famous NYC landmarks, a live show was performed by the NYPD Harbor Unit. A police escort was present for the entire boat ride as well. The patients disembarked rejuvenated, hopeful, and – most importantly – smiling. The three-hour operation was labeled a resonant success.

Misameach is a volunteer organization based out of NJ which provides entertainment and relief to patients with serious illnesses and their families. They currently have services in the tri-state area, Maryland, Boston, and along much of the East Coast.

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos by Hillel Engel