The project is a quick response to the needs of displaced Israeli children.
Within days of the infamous Oct. 7 attack, the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades In Tenafly jumped into action, realizing that many of their member families from surrounding areas would be hosting Israeli families displaced by the war. Initiated by Steve Rogers, CEO of the Kaplen JCC, a full-blown program called “Heart to Heart,” spearheaded by volunteer Mali Oelsner, was put into place by Monday, Oct. 30. Over 70 children, some from kibbutzim on the border of Gaza, including Be’eri and Nir Oz, were enrolled in the program. The JCC’s Early Childhood Center opened its doors and its hearts to 20 children from birth to 5.
Tenafly resident Oelsner, an attorney who formerly served in the Israeli Ministry of Defense, volunteers at the JCC where her husband Dan serves on the board. Upon receiving the call from Rogers, who placed every facility and service of the JCC at her disposal, Oelsner issued a call on Teaneck/Bergenfield Moms for volunteers to come and share their expertise with the three age groups being set up for children ages 5-8, 9-11 and 12 and over. The groups would meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the JCC, providing age-appropriate activities, lunch and snacks.Their parents, struggling to cope with their new insecure reality, and many having to work remotely, treasured these hours when their children were being involved in meaningful activities in a warm and safe environment
Within hours, 150 volunteers stepped up to offer their time to the program. To date over 200 volunteers are involved in the program, some as counselors for the three age groups, and some offering sessions in their specific specialties which include art, sports, yoga, drama, cooking, food design, krav maga and more. The volunteers include former teachers, occupational and physical therapists and even Hebrew-speaking grandmas. College-age students and some local Israelis waiting to be called up to service enthusiastically came forward as volunteers.
Working with Oelsner was the devoted JCC administration including Judi Nahary, chief program officer; Melissa Peters, camp director; Elana Prezant, lead volunteer; and members of the Israeli Center at the Kaplen JCC including Lee Greenfeld, Gabby Haran Wilner, Shira Zandani and Lital Grunland-Madar. The JCC cafeteria has been subsidizing the lunch program and providing free pizza on Fridays. Teaneck resident and proprietor of a candy outlet in the American Dream, Yehuda Miller, offered the children snacks of cotton candy and popcorn throughout their day. Excursions to High Exposure were arranged for small groups utilizing the JCC’s senior buses.
In the words of Teaneck resident and volunteer Keren Fisher, “one chesed leads to another.” Together with Rochel Stadtmauer, Fisher volunteered to offer sessions in food art to the children, a long-time hobby and passion of Rochel’s. Another of Fisher’s projects is helping people overcome their fear of dogs, which she does with the help of her own dog Willow. Knowing of her involvement with canines, Oelsner was in touch with Fisher about one of the Israeli evacuees who was about to celebrate her bat mitzvah and is passionate about dogs.
Jumping into action, Fisher contacted Dr. Jennifer Suss, a well-known local veterinarian at the Bergen Veterinary Hospital in Teaneck, to arrange a visit by the bat mitzvah girl. Lyn Ofrane, who helped Fisher adopt Willow and a retired photographer, was contacted and offered to provide a photo session of the bat mitzvah girl at her in-home studio. Next, Fisher called Rivky Rosenthal of Simply Borrowed, the new gown gemach in New Milford, New Jersey who offered to provide a festive dress. Limor Gafni of Paramus, a local hair and make-up artist, also volunteered her services. Together with her “Heart to Heart” counselor, a friend from the JCC, and Fisher, the bat mitzvah girl spent a glorious day celebrating! Suss gave her a tour of the hospital where she saw a dog getting a dental cleaning and then donned a doctor’s coat and stethoscope to “examine” Willow and another dog named Charlie. After that, it was off to get “glammed” for her photo shoot. A photo album of the occasion will be her keepsake of what she referred to as “the best day of my life.”
As Israeli families are slowly resettling in other communities and others are returning home, new families keep arriving and the doors of the JCC “Heart to Heart” program will remain open to them. In a poignant testimonial to the program, a grateful parent shared, “We came here with the aim of providing our girls with a safe, relaxing and enjoyable environment. We couldn’t accomplish that, and a lot more, without your program and dedication. As Jews and Israelis, this has become our home away from home, and we cannot thank you enough for providing it in our time of need. Please keep this program active for all other Israeli children who need a break. We hope to see you again in more peaceful times.”
For more information about the Kaplen JCC’s “Heart to Heart” Program or to make a donation, visit www.jccotp.org/programs/heart-to-heart.
Pearl Markovitz is senior staff writer at The Jewish Link.
