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,” commented Ellen Weiss, MSW, Southeast region director. “The parents feel they get so much from the opportunity to talk to one another being able to unwind with their families and friends at the concert and dinner was the perfect way to end the day.”

Chicago families gathered this weekend for “Purim in a Tent,” a special party hosted by supporters Yigal and Donna Yahav. The day included a performance by Kenny Baker and Nefesh Orchestras as well as lots of games and family friendly entertainment. Hospitalized children got to join in the fun during a special Purim celebration at Children’s Memorial Hospital. Musician Joel Frankel elicited smiles from even the weakest children as Chai Lifeline volunteers helped children with their crafts projects.

Miami-area families were honored guests at the Michael Ann Russel JCC Purim Carnival in North Miami Beach. The Boca Raton Synagogue, which had hosted a group of Miami families for a  Friends ‘N Fun weekend earlier this year,  reunited Chai Lifeline families and their hosts at a carnival held at the synagogue. In addition, families across the region, from Baltimore all the way to Miami, received mishloach manos from costumed volunteers who sang and clowned, eliciting delighted laughter from children and parents alike.

Rabbi Simcha Scholar, executive vice president of the international organization, estimated that together with Purim programs from international affiliates in Canada, Israel, and the United Kingdom, Chai Lifeline’s activities reached hundreds more ill children and their families.

“The simcha of Purim makes this a natural holiday for children, but too many families are burdened by the stress and worry of a child’s illness. Our Purim activities extend the levity of the holiday, strengthen the supportive community that enables families to find joy in every day, and brings families together to create memories that will last a lifetime,” he said.

(YWN Desk – NYC)