[By Yehuda Farkas]

For the first time ever in the Lakewood community, on Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim, families in the Chestnut area of Lakewood hosted a group of Chai Lifeline boys for a weekend of fun, friendship and support.

“Friends ‘N Fun Weekends,” a program sponsored in memory of Sari Ort, a’h,  is held across the country in numerous communities. The Shabbosim are a source of inspiration for the Chai Lifeline, children, staff, and host community.

The children arrived on Friday and gathered at the Judowitz family home for some delicious refreshments. Following this, everyone had a chance to pose by the outdoor photo booth. The group then picked up their own personalized package filled with caps, sweatshirts, a beautiful watch, cufflinks, a tablet and loads of goodies. Over 20 families from the neighborhood invited the boys and their counselors, providing them with comfortable accommodations. For those who needed them, ramps and wheelchairs were provided by Lakewood Lev Rochel Bikur Cholim.

Singer, R’ Boruch Levin enhanced Kabalas Shabbos with beautiful song and spirit. The community joined in to dance with the Chai Lifeline boys and their staff. The Rav, Rabbi Greenfield, shared how inspiring it was to see everyone come together with such achdus.

Although the children and staff eat together during most Friends ‘n Fun Weekends, this week, each boy and his counselor ate dinner with his host family. This new arrangement enabled the community children to befriend the Chai Lifeline boys, and many of them formed close friendships. Tzvi Haber, assistant Head Counselor at Camp Simcha and coordinator of the weekend, remarked how comfortable the boys felt with their hosts. “The kindness and sensitivity that every community member showed the boys was so special!”

After dinner, the boys and hosts continued the simcha with a lively and delicious oneg Shabbos hosted by the Atlas family. Then boys returned to their hosts for the night. For one eight-year-old boy, this was his first time sleeping away from home since his diagnosis.

Davening Shabbos morning was again graced by R’ Boruch Leven and followed by a mega Kiddush at Bais Medrach Ohr Gedalia. Shabbos day meal was a gala affair, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Yehonasan Schlesinger, at the same location. Shalosh Seudos at Kahal Sharei Tefilla had divrei chizuk from the rav, Rabbi Babad. A stirring Havdala was led by Shua Kessin.

The weekend culminated with a grand Melava Malka for the entire community. The crowd was entertained by the Eli Wax Orchestra, Shloime Tausssig, and John the Ventriloquist. A surprise guest appearance by Mendy J had the crowd on their feet again, jumping, dancing, and cheering.

“This was a truly special event for everyone involved,” remarked Rabbi Simcha Scholar, executive vice president of Chai Lifeline. “The Lakewood community, known for its hachnasas orchim, went above and beyond for our children. They loved it, and from the looks of things, the community did as well.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)