Chanukah will be longer than eight days this year for thousands of Chai Lifeline children and their families. Chanukah activities around the world brightened the holiday for children battling pediatric illnesses, their parents, and siblings.

The holiday season began with a gala party on Sunday that drew more than 1,500 seriously ill youngsters, family members, and Chai Lifeline volunteers. The ballroom of Tiferes Mordechai was decorated as if each child was a guest of honor. Blue and silver balloons floated over each table. Families mingled and parents connected with Chai Lifeline case managers and social workers, volunteers, and one another. Piles of fresh jelly donuts anchored the sumptuous buffet lunch.

“This is amazing,” noted a father as his son ran into the arms of his Camp Simcha counselor. Less than a year ago, the boy had been diagnosed with cancer. After four months of treatment, he was bald, pale, and listless. Camp Simcha, Chai Lifeline’s pioneering overnight camp for children with cancer, had restored his smile, and according to his parents, his indomitable will.

“This is really what Chai Lifeline is all about,” noted Larry Spiewak, a member of the organization’s presidium. “Counselors don’t just see their campers during the summer. They maintain supportive relationships twelve months a year. We’re with families all year long.”

After eating, the children, their counselors, and parents moved to the other side of the hall to watch the Gizmo Guys. As their children sat transfixed by the professional jugglers, they talked about juggling the demands of parenting a very sick child while maintaining the routines of everyday life.

“This is the best Chanukah present I could ask for,” a mother confided as a counselor wheeled her daughter towards the stage. “She’s so happy in camp and happy here.”

The room quieted as Rabbi Simcha Scholar, Chai Lifeline’s executive vice president, took the microphone. He announced that the children of the late Shlomo Obstfeld, z’l, a longtime friend and supporter, and the benefactor of Camp Simcha Special, named for his father, Zvi Dovid Obstfeld, had sponsored the party.

All too soon, the Gala was over. But thanks to the Honey Engel Toy Drive, under the direction of Chani Traube, the party went on. Before they left, each family received a huge box filled with toys selected for each child in the family.

“Tens of thousands of toys were donated by children and their families,” explained program director Nachman Maimon. “Chani and her group of volunteers spent hundreds of hours selecting toys and packaging the toys to make sure that every child has a happier Chanukah.”

Chai Lifeline is celebrating its 25th year of serving the community, a fact not lost on Esther Schwartz, director of hospital services.

“Our first Chanukah party was in the basement of a synagogue. Thirty people came,” she said as she surveyed the controlled chaos. “We’ve really come a long way.”

Chai Lifeline children around the world are celebrating
The annual Chanukah Gala, which draws families from New York, Rockland County, and Long Island, is only one of Chai Lifeline’s holiday gatherings.

The New Jersey region, which includes Pennsylania and Delaware, also held its Chanukah gala on Sunday. More than 500 children, parents, and volunteers attended the party, which featured singing sensations Dovid Gabay and Uncle Moishy. In addition to music and activities, children were treated to a world-class performance by magician Ben Cohen.

On the west coast, 100 Chanukah “angels,” friends of Chai Lifeline, have already dropped off special gifts purchased for Chai Lifeline children.

“Each family received a profile along with a wish list from one of our children. Our office is overflowing with boxes and bags, which will be wrapped by volunteers and delivered during Chanukah,” explained Randi Grossman, the region’s director.

West coast families will also come together next week for the region’s annual party, which is planned and coordinated by students from four local girls’ high schools. On the agenda so far is music, holiday crafts, Chanukah treats, and a performance by ventriloquist Joe Gandelman.

Southeast families are looking forward to the community Chanukah Celebration on December 6th in North Miami Beach. The party will include a Schlock Rock concert, performance by the Miami Heat Extreme Dunk Team, face painting, petting zoo, Chanukah treats, and more. More than a dozen schools in the Miami area, Atlanta, and Baltimore held toy drives this year, assuring that children throughout the region will receive toys selected especially for them.

In Israel, the two holiday parties are augmented by caravans of volunteers who visit the home of every Chaiyanu child, delivering gifts for patients and siblings. The volunteers also stop at Israel’s hospitals, cheering children in the wards with their antics and presents.

Ill children and their families in Great Britain will also find their spirits raised during Chanukah. Parties in London, Manchester, and Gateshead brought more than 300 children and families together for an afternoon’s respite from illness. Camp Simcha UK, as Chai Lifeline is known in the British Isles, collected tens of thousands of toys that will be sent to children in over 100 hospital wards across the country.

Hospitalized children are in on the fun
Children who miss the parties because they are hospitalized won’t miss out on the fun. Chai Lifeline mini-galas across the country will bring Chanukah to children’s wards. Among the festivities scheduled this year are parties at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles; Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston; Miami Children’s Hospital and Chris Evert Children’s Hospital in south Florida; Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta; and Sinai Hospital, Baltimore.

“They look like huge Chanukah parties on the outside, but the best present given to families is the afternoon of non-stop support,” noted Rabbi Scholar. “At the end of the day, some people will have found new ways to cope. Some will have been on the giving end, offering friendship and suggestions. Some will have new friends. All will have great memories that will keep them going when times get rough.”

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(YWN Desk – NYC)