Teaneck–Turning 12 is a perfect time to engage in chesed, and, for many, it’s a perfect age to go to a Shabbaton–sometimes for the very first time. Faigy Ort, who got to know Chai Lifeline over the course of the illness of her daughter Sari, z’l, was inspired to bring bas mitzvah-age girls from Chai Lifeline together with girls from the community to meet each other for a special and memorable Shabbaton.
Chai Lifeline campers will join girls the same age from all over to the Bergen County Jewish community on the Shabbos of November 7th and 8th at Congregation Keter Torah. This is the second year of this Shabbaton, which is expected to double in size from last year, when, along with 45 staff members, 28 Chai Lifeline campers attended.
Chai Lifeline is an organization dedicated to finding ways to bring joy to the lives of young people and their families who have serious illnesses, such as cancer and blood diseases, or lifelong conditions such as sight or hearing impairment. The high number of staff members is required because the diseases and conditions sometimes need specialized or attentive treatment. Last year the staff included a doctor, a paramedic, three nurses and six division heads.
This year, at least 40 campers are expected, so more than 100 staff members will be required. 110 girls from the community are currently scheduled to attend.
“We look at it as an opportunity for all the 12-year-old girls to do something together and to get to know the Chai Lifeline girls, and to get to know the counselors, who have a lot of energy,” said Ort. “They get to understand how normal the girls are who are sick,” she added.
It’s an opportunity to make friends, but at the same time the community girls are also reminded to appreciate their own gifts, Ort said.
The community has been very involved in hosting the Shabbaton. Many sleeping places are required, not just because of the Chai Lifeline staff number, but because many of the community girls who are invited live in Englewood, Fair Lawn or even just on the other side of Teaneck, so they also require sleeping accommodations with local families.
Girls from all the local day schools were invited via parent volunteers who went into the schools to explain the program and invite involvement.
A Friday night oneg at Congregation Keter Torah is open to the entire community, as well as a melava malka for all women of the community, which will take place at Yeshivat Noam in Paramus.
By Elizabeth Kratz
