Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Bikur Cholim of Crown Heights invited the C.H.A.I. Friends (Children Affected by Illness) of Crown Heights to a grand chol hamoed sukkos party at Itchke’s Shtibel on Maple St. on Tuesday, Chol Hamoed.
“The goal was to allow parents and children, who were in need of some good laughter and light energy, to get both in large doses,” said volunteer Chanky Friedman.
The children had their faces painted right when they arrived; the shul was quite a sight with dozens of little tigers, butterflies, princesses and more smiling from ear to ear. Everyone got busy decorating sukka-themed cupcakes. The children got creative making sukkas out of Chex cereal squares, then using green sour sticks to lay down schach; the extra green sour sticks, together with a yellow candy, made convincing lulav and esrog cupcakes. The craft was deliciously fun.
Then the children were treated to the hilarious Dr. Shnitzel’s Wacky Science Show. Watching the kids volunteer for experiments, Chanky observed, “Seeing the parents relax and watch the joy on their kids’ faces; that was more than we could have hoped to achieve.”
After a pizza and fries dinner, provided by Pomodori, the afternoon came to a beautiful close with a concert by children’s musical favorite, Chaim Fogelman.
“I was brought to tears watching the children laughing, jumping, dancing,” said Rochie Korolitzky of Bikur Cholim. “Knowing what they are going through, yet seeing them so happy and at ease, is priceless.”
Special thank you to Yankel Ezagui of Virtual Imaging, Itchke Steibel, the Friedman sisters, Sima Silverstien, Nechamy Segal and co, Hope Abrams Salvan, Batsheva Lebovic and the sponsors who helped make it happen
To get involved with Bikur Cholim’s CHAI Friends program, please call 718-467-1661 or email [email protected] and help bring joy to a child affected by illness.
was exciting! Kids had a great time! Thank you!
Moved to tears! May we know no more suffering with Moshiach Now!
Having been in that unfortunate situation I can only say kol hakovod to the organizers