Chai Lifeline will celebrate its 2019 Annual Gala on Monday, December 9, at The Marriott Marquis in New York City. A leading children’s health support network, Chai Lifeline provides critical assistance to children with life-threatening or lifelong illnesses and their families, through more than two-dozen, free year-round programs and services, including professional case management; two- medically-supervised overnight camps, Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special; counseling; meal delivery; transportation to medical appointments; Project Chai crisis intervention; insurance advocacy; family retreats and respite; i-Shine afterschool national programs for children living with illness or loss in their homes; and more.

Joining Chai Lifeline in celebrating this year’s Gala theme, “An Evening for the Kids,” will be comedian MODI and music sensation Mordechai Shapiro. The Gala is chaired by Chaya Rivka and Mayer Fischl, Bari and Daniel Erber, and Julia Straus Baruch.

“At Chai Lifeline, we are driven by the simple belief that kids, regardless of their medical circumstances, should be able to just be kids,” said Rabbi Simcha Scholar, Chief Executive Officer of Chai Lifeline. “This year’s gala will pay tribute to our kids—the heart of Chai Lifeline—as well as our dedicated staff, volunteers, and distinguished honorees who reflect our commitment to supporting families battling pediatric illness.”

For more than two decades, Guests of Honor Shimmy and Layala Bertram have been devoted supporters of Chai Lifeline. Mr. Bertram, a principal at real estate investment firm Shelbourne Global Solutions, currently serves as Treasurer on Chai Lifeline’s Board of Directors.

Dr. Eddie Simpser, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, has long partnered with Chai Lifeline to offer world-class medical care to children with medically complex conditions. Dr. Simpser will receive the Maimonides Medical Achievement Award in recognition of his dedication and ongoing contributions to children’s healthcare.

Dr. Effie Kupferstein and Devorah Goldberg-Kupferstein will receive the Camp Simcha Appreciation Award. Effie’s relationship with Chai Lifeline began in 2008 as a Camp Simcha staff member. Inspired by his experience, he helped launch the Camp Simcha Alumni department at Chai Lifeline and was a founding member of its Alumni Committee. Throughout the year, Effie and Devorah are active participants in Chai Lifeline programs and events.

Sarah and Zachary Perl are the inaugural recipients of the Young Builders Award. Sarah’s involvement with Chai Lifeline began as a Camp Simcha staff member in the summer of 2012. Since that time, she has continued her work with Chai Lifeline as a respite volunteer and has taken an active role in alumni programming. Most recently, Sarah and Zachary played an integral role in helping establish the Young Builders Society, designed for the next generation of lay leadership and philanthropists at Chai Lifeline.

To reserve a seat or table, place a journal ad, or learn more about the Chai Lifeline Gala, visit www.chaidinner.org.

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