Adar-centric events brought more than the usual dose of simcha to Chai Lifeline’s children and their families. Eight of the biggest entertainers gave their all to make seven hundred seriously ill children and their families laugh, sing, and dance at Chai Lifeline’s annual Purim concert. The Gershey Moskowitz production featured singing sensations Lipa Schmeltzer, Dovid Gabay, Shloime Kaufman, Shragy Gestetner, Yaakov Mordechai Gerstner, Eli Gerstner, The Twins, and and a great performance by Eli the Clown. At times the stage was crowded with dancing children, much to the delight of their parents. The aisles were also filled with costumed children encouraged by enthusiastic counselors. Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special campers were transported back to the magic of the summer, where raucous dancing, singing and cheering accompanied each meal. Their brothers and sisters danced beside them, clambering to the shoulders of spinning counselors and singing at the top of the lungs. Fathers joined in the circles, incredulous as they watched children whose energy is sometimes so limited now refuse to rest. The bright eyes and wide smiles are the expressions that parents see when kids come home from Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special. And for many parents, the best sights and sounds of the Purim concert were those of their own children. “We don’t see this smile often enough,” sighed a mother as her daughter ran into the arms of her counselor. At the same time New Yorkers were gathering for the Purim concert, their West Coast friends were entering Kanner Hall in Los Angeles for an international Purim celebration. As children arrived, they were presented with their “passports” and then “traveled” to seven different stations, each representing a different continent, where they played games and won prizes.  The international festival, which included a feast of all nations, was  organized and implemented by the Chai Lifeline volunteers of Bais Yaakov, who created colorful banners representing different countries, and came to the party dressed  in different cultural attire. These events came on the heels of the New Jersey region’s annual Purim Chagiga in Lakewood. Five hundred children, parents, and Chai Lifeline volunteers, clad in colorful and imaginative costumes, filled the Yeshiva Ketana Hall. The crowd roared for Lipa Schmeltzer and Dovid Gabay, cheering, singing, and dancing. Parents joined their children at the carnival booths, playing games and enjoying the combination of carnival fare and hamantaschen. Achim B’Yachad, a Chai Lifeline program for Chassidishe families, held a special celebration earlier this month. Seventy-five families gathered at the Chabad of Tenafly for an afternoon of fun and games. Children enjoyed the wonderful magic and illusions of mentalist David Blatt. They and their parents were astounded as the entertainer correctly guessed details of their lives. Delicious family food delighted children and adults as youngsters played games and parents had the opportunity to relax and renew friendships. Chai Lifeline children across the country joined in the fun. Baltimore children celebrated with their parents and counselors during the regions’ Super Sunday, a daylong supportive program coordinated with the Jewish Caring Network. While parents shared experiences and challenges with one another in therapist-facilitated sessions, counselors kept children happily occupied with fun and games. Then parents and children reunited for a rousing concert starring Avraham Rosenblum. “The day was the perfect blend of inspiration, support, and fun,”

YWN recently had an article (HERE) about Rabbi Ephraim Luft of Bnei Brak who was introduced as the man who heads the “Committee for Jewish Music”. His goal is to have a hechsher placed on permitted music, and more importantly, ban all music not deemed suitable for the frum world. He claims that he is supported by “leading Haredi rabbis”. His mission has led him to a recent interview with the Jerusalem Post, and today with the BBC. The following are excerpts from an article appearing on the BBC Website today: Lipa Schmeltzer looks and sounds every inch the popular ultra-orthodox Jewish singer that he is. He sings in Yiddish. He dresses in the clothes of a Haredi Jew and all of his song lyrics come from the scriptures. Yet some say Schmeltzer’s music, and that of others like him, is indecent and unfit for public consumption. “They are leading the public astray and are causing a great negative influence on the young generation,” says Rabbi Ephraim Luft, head of an ultra-orthodox organisation in Israel called the Committee for Jewish Music. Supported by leading Haredi rabbis, Rabbi Luft has drawn up a black-list of musicians and bands – music that he says that is not kosher and cannot be played at ultra-orthodox weddings or public events because of its decadent nature. What Rabbi Luft objects to so vehemently is not just contemporary, western music – rock, rap or pop – but the use of modern instruments and beats in the tunes of orthodox singers like Lipa Schmeltzer. “The main part of the music should be the melody. Percussion should be secondary. They should not bend notes electronically and should not use instruments like electric guitars, bass guitars or saxophones in Jewish music,” he says. Sitting in the dining room of his small flat in the orthodox town of Bnei Brak, close to Tel Aviv, Rabbi Luft explains his preference for traditional, even sombre, Jewish tunes like Kol Nidrei. A serious, studious man the rabbi explains how he thinks modern music is disrespectful, leading young people astray and can lead to the collapse of education and the family system. It is a broad charge, but the rabbi is convinced that in the last 25 years music has gradually eroded moral standing in society. Saying that music is “powerful”, he says the “purpose of modern music – its influences – is to distract young people and change good characters into bad”. The Rabbi says such music, even Jewish rock music, “where the dangerous beat plays more of a part than the melody, has no place in a society where people are trying to keep their moral standards high. There are approximately 500,000 ultra-orthodox Haredi Jews in Israel. Because of the loyal relationship between orthodox Jews and their rabbis, the influence of bodies like the Committee for Jewish Music and the Guardians of Sanctity and Education is considerable. They have already succeeded in banning virtually all public concerts by ultra-orthodox groups and singers in Israel. Famous, successful singers like Avraham Fried – a devout, observant orthodox Jew – are not exempt. Making up around 8% of the population of Israel, the Haredi community has real economic clout. Boycotts have been very effective. Menahem Toker, an award-winning disc jockey, who was dismissed from a radio

(PHOTO LINKS AT END OF ARTICLE) This past Sunday evening was Mekimi of Lakewood’s Annual BBQ. The event was held in the backyard of Shlomie Gornish, who was one of the events’ sponsors. The event was also sponsored by Avrohom Moshe Muller of Kosher West. More than 300 patients and Mekimi volunteers attended the massive BBQ, enjoying the rides, food, great entertainment, and free toys. It was a kids wonderland. The Mekimi board spent many weeks working hard to ensure that the event would be a smashing success – which is what it B”H was. Gracing the event with his presence was Shimshy Heskel, the founder of Mekimi International. Starting the event were dozens of volunteers – in their famous funny costumes – flipping burgers, hot dogs, and chicken for the overwhelming crowd. The families were seated in a large seating area provided by B & B Party Rentals, to watch the amazing Ballooner Rebbe create adorable creatures and shapes for all the kids. There was also an amazing concert starring, Shua Kessin, Yoel Dovid, Dovid Gabay and Yosef Chaim Bloch. Mekimi would like to thank every individual which took part in this tremendous event. It could not have been done without all the selfless and tireless work from the volunteers. Last but not least, Mekimi would like to thank Lakewood Police Chief Rob Lawson, Committeeman Menashe Miller and LPD Sergent Frank Work for attending and showing their support for this great organization. Mekimi was founded in 2003 to mitigate the anxiety and boredom experienced during a hospital stay. What began as a pipe dream to fill the entertainment needs of bedridden children has in only four short years evolved into a flourishing network of kindness. Today, Mekimi is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY with 12 national and international chapters, including: Lakewood, NJ; Monsey, NY; Monroe, NY; Williamsburg, NY; Far Rockaway, NY; Detroit, MI; Toronto, Canada; Montreal, CA; England and Israel. Mekimi is presently staffed by some 350 men and women, all volunteers who are selflessly committed to furthering Mekimi’s goals. They are enriching the lives of over 1800 children and young adults suffering the debilitating effects of serious and long term medical conditions. Besides the obvious humanitarian benefits, doctors approbate our program because it strengthens the resolve to live and fight disease, thus prolonging life. Every day since 2003, MEKIMI enriches the lives of hundreds of children and young adults suffering the debilitating effects of serious and long term medical conditions. PHOTO LINKS: Click HERE to see photos taken by YWN-41 at the Lakewood BBQ, and click HERE to see photos taken at the recent event held at the home of Lipa Schmeltzer for the Mekimi volunteers.

YWN had the opportunity to interview Rabbi Yehuda Levin this past Motzei Shabbos, which turned out to be quite interesting. In this fascinating video interview, Rabbi Levin was asked tough questions – many of them taken from the comment sections on YWN – regarding the hot topics of today. Topics include: 1-Who made you an Askan? Who are your “Rabbeyim”? 2-David Lichtenstein & the Clinton’s [can be found at 11:00]. 3-Lipa Schmeltzer & the Big Event concert [can be found at 18:10]. 4-Rabbi Levin’s involvement in fighting the “Shame Parade” in Yerushalayim [can be found at 36:50]. Although the interview is 55 minutes, it is extremely well worth the time. Click HERE to view.