[PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

As her family stopped to greet friends at the door of Magen David Yeshiva, the site of Chai Lifeline’s New York Purim party, seven-year- old Elke ran inside into the arms of her counselor. Her dark tresses, part of her Queen Esther costume, cascaded down her back.

“Purim is her favorite holiday,” her mother remarked. “It’s the only day that everyone is wearing a wig, not just her.”

Rabbi Simcha Scholar, executive vice president of Chai Lifeline, the international children’s health support network, nodded in empathy. “That’s why we do so much on Purim and throughout the year. Children like Elke need to have a place where they can be kids like everyone else.”

There’s no greater holiday for children than Purim. For children living with illness or loss in their homes, it seems like there’s no better place to be than at a Chai Lifeline event. This year, Chai Lifeline carnivals in Brooklyn, Lakewood, Chicago, Los Angeles, South Florida, Baltimore, Montreal, Toronto, Israel and London brought 3,000 families and volunteers together for clowns, games, Purim crafts and foods, and even mimes. Children dressed up as everything from Queen Esther to Supergirl, Mordechai to Minyons.

In New York, mimes and performers on stilts engaged children and adults alike, bringing smiles to faces and eliciting oohs and aahs at every table. Professional face painters were on hand to transform those who came without masks into lions, tigers and other fantastic creations.

“We’re so happy to have time together. This year’s been especially hard for Moshe,” said a father as he watched his son cascading down an inflatable slide. “Our family was turned upside down by his brother’s illness. He said he felt lucky to be able to be here.”

My kids are having a blast. I haven’t seen them the whole night!” exclaimed a parent at the Lakewood party. “They are having so much fun. I can sit and relax with friends, something I rarely get to do.”

Rabbi Sruli Fried, NJ Regional Director, surveyed the activity around him. “Dozens of volunteers have worked for weeks to make Purim even more special for our families. Their love and talents have transformed a blank space into a child’s dream.”

At the Midwest Purim celebration, named for Jennifer Levin Kaplan, a’h, regional director Rabbi Shlomo Crandall reported a meeting between two girls. “Why don’t you have any hair?” the first one asked.

“I take medicine that makes my hair go away,” said the second.

“I take medicine, too. Take a look at my port,” she replied, lifting her shirt.

The second girl smiled. “I used to have a port there. Now I have one above my chest.” The two girls went off together.

“They could be friends forever now,” observed Rabbi Crandall. “That’s what Chai Lifeline does: break through the solitude and loneliness of illness.”

The newly established Mid-Atlantic Region went medieval for Purim. Inside a rented castle, guests enjoyed chariot rides, face-painting and a sword swallower. “Who even thinks of these things? Chai Lifeline, as always, makes my family and me feel like real MVPs,” marveled a grateful parent.

Families in the Southeast were invited to break their fasts after Tanis Esther at a Chinese restaurant, where the entertainment featured a fire-eater. “Something new and different,” said regional director Ellen Weiss. “And fun!” a teen guest added.

The West Coast Purim celebration continued the region’s tradition of leadership. In addition to great food, games, and fun, the party featured a concert by Los Angeles’ first professional Jewish a capella group, Pella.

Chai Lifeline’s international partners made sure to bring the organization’s brand of Simcha to their countries. Celebrations in Montreal and Canada brought 600 people together for games, hamantaschen baking and other Purim activities, and child-friendly food and refreshments. And in Israel, volunteers fanned across the country, delivering mishloach manot and Purim cheer to every Chai Lifeline child and family.

(YWN Headquarters – NYC)