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Chai Lifeline is a chesed organization founded in 1987 by Rabbi Simcha Scholar to help families with "children battling a deadly disease."

Although they have professional staff, much of their work depends on volunteers, whose ranks include those who, in their younger years, received services and survived. Their goal is to "restore the light of childhood to children whose innocence ended when life-threatening or lifelong illness was diagnosed."

While most Chai Lifeline programs operate year-round, their upstate NY summer program "for children with catastrophic illnesses" helps "Jewish children from around the world."

History

Scholar's initial guidance was from Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, and the focus was Jewish pediatric cancer patients in the NYC area. By 1990, they had offices in Florida and Jerusalem, with another planned for California.

Subsequent expansion included services to other major Jewish areas such as Baltimore and the West Coast.

Their Los Angeles office was described as "provides services to .. families of all Jewish denominations" and "depends on foundation and individual donations."

Mission Expansion

Yeshiva University hosted the first university-based Shabbaton to give exposure and training for Chai Lifeline college-age volunteers, under a Fighting Illness With Love banner. As of 2015 their first (2008) Canadian outreach still seemed limited to Montreal, like Federation CJA, with whom they affiliated. By 2018 the Toronto Star had reported the expansion of Chai Lifeline Canada to Toronto and somewhat beyond.

By 2012, small scale Chai Lifeline groups had begun in UK and Belgium, with support from the New York-based main office's professionals.

Services

While not all services were available in all locations as of 2015, some of the programs offered by a blend of professionals and volunteers are:

• i-Shine: an after-school program for "support to siblings of sick children, children living with an ill parent, and those living with untimely loss in their homes"

Camp Simcha

Camp Simcha is a 125-acre (0.51 km) campus located in Glen Spey, NY. NY that offers children with cancer a chance to enjoy traditional camp activities.

Besides mini-golf, arts & crafts workshops, modified sports, color war, and talent shows there are helicopter rides and concerts. An innovative swimming pool ramp and water-submersible wheelchairs enables more children to enjoy swimming. They have a motorboat, paddle and bumper boats, and a pontoon boat capable of holding an entire bunk, including wheelchair-dependent children.

The camp program is directed by Dr. Peter Steinherz and an entire team of oncologists, pediatric oncology nurses, EMTs, social workers and physical therapists. In case of emergencies, an acute transport ambulance is on-site at all times, and accompanies campers on any trips. A Medevac helicopter is on call, and can reach the camp within five minutes.

Camp Simcha Special

Camp Simcha Special was created in 2001 to meet the medical and social needs of children and teens with disabilities, chronic diseases, or genetic diseases. Located on the same campus as Camp Simcha. The program is directed by Dr. Robert van Amerongen with a staff of pediatric specialists, nurses, EMTs, social workers and physical therapists.

About

Chai Lifeline trains volunteers.

Project C.H.A.I. Crisis Intervention program ensures that children, their parents, teachers, clergy and communities can properly deal with traumatic events, often partnering with organizations such as Jewish Family & Children's Service of Arizona's Aleinu program and Misaskim. Chai Lifeline is funded by Jewish philanthropists and other fundraising receptions. They also receive government funding and grants.

Hospital and home-based services

Advocacy and Case Management – a team of case managers that offer emotional support and information. Insurance Support Service – Providing general information including: explaining insurance coverage and helping to complete reimbursement applications. Meal Support – Providing meals to hospitalized patients and their families, many times also supplying food for families with a sick child when cooking is impossible. Transportation Services – Transportation to and from medical centers and doctors’ appointments. Chai House – A house located in the close proximity of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to accommodate family spending periods of time in the hospital.

Counseling

Chailine Telephone Support Groups – Parents of children with similar prognosis discuss their situations offering support via conference calls facilitated by professional therapists.

Healing Hearts Bereavement Program – Annual weekend retreats and counseling where parents who lost a beloved child are comforted.

Chai Family Centers – Community-based counseling centers help children and parents cope with the impact of illness on their lives.

Short-term counseling – Transient advice for ill children, their parents and/or siblings is available through regional offices.

ChaiNet – A community by and for Chai Lifeline families, Chai Net allows parents to exchange information and support one another in their battles against pediatric illness. Partnering with Susan G. Komen for the Cure Chai Lifeline provides counseling for Jewish women with breast cancer.

Educational assistance

ChaiLink – Webcam connections that link hospitalized or recuperating children to classrooms, teachers, and friends, and loans of laptop computers loaded with educational software.

Homebound Educational Learning Program – A tutoring program that enable hospitalized or recuperating children to keep up with their schoolwork.

Crisis intervention and bereavement services

The New York Times described the organization's Brooklyn Tragedy 24 Hour Crisis Intervention Hot Line and Director of bereavement and intervention services Dr. Norman Blumenthal's made-for-parents video, created after the Murder of Leiby Kletzky in New York.

Helping when the focus was beyond children with illnesses included after:

• the India 2008 Mumbai attacks at the Chabad House
• Hurricane Sandy's devastations on the East Coast in 2012.
• The 2018 Pittsburgh shootings

Trained volunteers offer emotional and professional support.

Trips and vacations

Chai Lifeline arranges trips for children who spend their days in and out of the hospital. Trips involve sporting events, shows, and special trip such as

• a trip to the Super Bowl.
• Orlando Trip – Sponsored by the Ohr Meir foundation, children spend four magical days at Florida's Disney World, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and SeaWorld Orlando theme parks.
• Wish at the Wall – Provides a 10-day trip to Israel for teens along with one parent each; alternating years between a group of teenage cancer survivors and teens who have learned to manage complex chronic illness. In addition, a family center at their Camp Simcha campus is available to families in need of respite when camp isn't in session.

Fundraising programs

Chai Lifeline is a New York City volunteer-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that primarily works with children battling cancer.

Fundraising programs include

• Team Lifeline,
• Team Lifeline Israel,
• Bike4Chai,
• Tour de Simcha,
• Go Mitzvah,
• Kids4Chai.

Events include

• Marathons
• Walk-a-thons
• Bowl-a-thons
• Cycling events
• and other kid friendly activities.

Affiliates

Chai Lifeline International is an affiliate. One of its programs is named Chaiuanu, and it provides services in Israel.

References

1. "Celebrating life with Chai Lifeline". JNS.org (Jewish and Israel News Service). June 17, 2012. .. draws on the work of 5000 volunteers
2. ^ Rabbi Yaakov Feitman; Kehillas Bais Yehudah Tzvi; Cedarhurst (January 2, 2019). "Ba Lelameid Venimtzah Lameid – Lessons from a Chai Lifeline Retreat".
3. ^ Sandy Eller (November 14, 2018). "Chai Lifeline Continues To Inspire". The Jewish Press.
4. ^ Lisa Belkin (July 19, 2011). "Talking to Children About Tragedy". The New York Times.
5. ^ (Camp Simcha) Allison Cohen (January 12, 2000). "Girls Raise Camp Fund for Ill Kids". Los Angeles Times.
6. Kathleen M. Berry (April 8, 1990). "BLACKBOARD: Giving Meaning To the Word Life". The New York Times.
7. Isaac Draiman (December 13, 2015). "Chai Lifeline lights up the night". Baltimore Jewish Life.
8. "Chai Lifeline West Coast celebrates 18 years of providing help". November 9, 2018.
9. Nancy Sokoler Steiner (April 18, 2008). "Chai Lifeline helps families facing life-threatening diseases". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles.
10. "Fighting Illness With Love". 2 March 2011.
11. "Chai Lifeline Canada to host information session at Callingwood Running Room on June 11". Edmonton Jewish News. June 7, 2018.
12. "Fighting Illness with Love". June 23, 2015.
13. Julien Gignac (February 19, 2018). "Chai Lifeline an 'extended family' for those struggling with illness and loss". Toronto Star. in Toronto and Montreal and has satellite services in Ottawa, Edmonton and Vancouver.
14. "Celebrating life with Chai Lifeline". JNS.org (Jewish and Israel News Service). June 17, 2012.
15. ^ "Chai Lifeline's First "i-Shine" Conference Focuses on Sharing Ideas and Planning for Growth". June 8, 2015.
16. degrees among various articles include MD, MSW, LSW
17. San Diego Jewish Journal: Special Camps for Special Kids
18. "Drs. Peter And Laurel Steinherz To Be Honored By Chai Lifeline". 5 Towns Jewish Times.
19. The Jewish Star: Summer in Camp Simcha Special
20. The Jewish Press: Camp Simcha Special Changes A Family's Life
21. "From Heartache to Hope at Chai Lifeline's Annual Bereavement Retreat". May 1, 2018. .. over a dozen Project Chai volunteers who took part in numerous training sessions
22. Jewish News of Greater Phoenix: JFCS forms crisis response team Archived June 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
23. The Jewish Star: Quick action averted cremation
24. The Yeshiva World PHOTOS: Misaskim Hosts Important Meeting Between NYPD Brass & Many Bais Yaakov Administrators
25. Carol Gardens Patch: Keep the Money Flowing In!
26. Lincolnshire Review: Chai Lifeline’s “Caliente: A Hot Night for a Cool Cause”
27. InsideToronto.com: Ex-NHL players hit ice for sick children
28. The Yeshiva World: Chai Lifeline Lakewood 10th Anniversary Reception
29. Social Miami: Make-A-Difference Gala Benefits Chai Lifeline Southeast Archived April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
30. The Yeshiva World City Council Delivers Over $5 Million Of ‘Kosher Pork’ « » Frum Jewish News
31. Jewish Exponent: When in Dire Straits, a Group Offers a Hand
32. Jordan Loux (May 10, 2017). "Chai Lifeline Helps Kids and Families in Need". JmoreLiving.com. There are 10 regional Chai Lifeline offices ...
33. YouTube – 2010 30 Second Public Service Announcement
34. "Crisis Counselors Helping NYC Hasidic Community Cope With Leiby Kletzky's Murder". Retrieved 2020-08-27.
35. Vos Iz Neias: New York - Chai Lifeline, Achiezer Open Crisis Hotline For Five Towns/Rockaway.
36. The Five Towns Jewish Times: Home Is Where The Heart Is
37. "Returning to Synagogue: How do we Speak to our Children about Pittsburgh?". The Jewish Press. November 4, 2018.
38. "The Yeshiva World". 11 December 2009.
39. Orange County Jewish Life: Super Mitzvah
40. "Chai Lifeline to send 12-year-old to the Super Bowl". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Archived from the original on 2011-02-06. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
41. Orlando Sentinel: Children with cancer get magical trip to Orlando
42. 5 Towns Jewish Times: Fantasy Becomes Reality For Kids With Cancer
43. Central Florida News 13: A magical trip for kids battling cancer Archived December 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
44. Chicago Tribune: Israel trip challenges, inspires teens with disabilities
45. Huffington Post: Israel Trips For Jewish Youths Expand, Including For Disabled Teens
46. Skywords with El Al: A Trip of a Lifetime for a Group of Chronically Ill Teens Archived February 22, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
47. Israel National News: Teenage Cancer Survivors on Thanksgiving Trip to Israel
48. The Yeshiva World: Leading Rabbonim Offer Brochos to Chai Lifeline’s Children During Their Wish At The Wall Trip
49. The Lakewood Scoop: Chai Lifeline NJ Kicks Off Volunteer Recruitment
50. New York NY 10001- Tax Exempt Organizations and 10001 New York New York Non Profit Organizations
51. Team Lifeline Website
52. Team Lifeline Israel Website
53. "Bike4Chai Celebrates 10 years". Yeshivaworld. July 26, 2019.
54. Bike4Chai Website
55. Tour de Simcha Website
56. Go Mitzvah Website
57. "Kids4Chai Website". Archived from the original on 2011-08-07. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
58. "Local family runs for Chai Lifeline". The Jewish Star.
59. "Summer camp made accessible by Chai Lifeline". Atlanta Jewish Times. November 2016.
60. Jewish Review: Little campers raise big money for ill kids
61. Chabad Rancho Mirage: Chai Kids Bowlathon
62. "$530,000 Raised by Bike4Chai". Community Magazine. Archived from the original on 2013-01-20.
63. "Chabad of Greater Monsey: Machane Bnos Monsey Raises Funds for Chai Lifeline". November 2011.
64. "HANC Middle School Changes The World One Mitzvah At A Time". 5tjt.com (Five-Towns Jewish Times).
65. Tali Feinberg (May 11, 2017). "Chaiyanu - a vacation from being sick". Jewish Report South Africa (SAJR). young Israeli children and teens with cancer .. Chaiyanu "Hope Tour" to South Africa .. generosity of the South African Jewish community.

• Jewish medical organizations
• Organizations for children with health issues
• Health charities in the United States
• Patients' organizations
• Summer camps for children with disabilities