Mark your simchah by joining Chai Mitzvah
INSPIRED BY the huge enthusiasm from committed young supporters who have chosen to share their simchahs with Chai, the charity is excited to announce the launch of its national bar and batmitzvah programme, Chai Mitzvah. A bar or batmitzvah is a significant milestone in a young Jewish person’s life. As you prepare for your special day, you are probably planning a charitable mitzvah project as well. Chai Cancer Care would be honoured to be your chosen charity.
There have been many advances in
Souperhero Joshua Rabin cancer treatments in recent years and thankfully, more people are living with and beyond cancer than ever before — but cancer is still a subject few people ever wish to think or talk about. Chai is hoping that, through Chai Mitzvah, its ambassadors will be at the front line, helping break down taboos surrounding the subject and spreading the word about the impact Chai has on all those who turn to the charity. As an ambassador, you will be invited for an exclusive tour of Chai’s flagship centres in either Hendon or North Manchester. This will give you the opportunity to see Chai in action and learn more about Chai’s support services.
Experiencing the special atmosphere that makes such a difference to people’s lives, Chai is sure you will be inspired to create your own event and page to raise vital funds for the Chai in Schools initiative*. From cake sales and sponsored walks to scaling the highest peaks, Chai can help you every step of the way. At the end of the year, you will be invited to a Chanukah party with some of the charity’s younger clients affected by a cancer diagnosis in their families.
Joshua Rabin and The 4 Sons (a singing group) all chose to support Chai as part of their barmitzvah preparations. “In March 2016, my mum was diagnosed with stomach cancer,” says Josh. “To help cure her illness, she needed chemotherapy. After her treatment, she felt very ill and found it difficult to eat. Soup was easy for her to digest and nourishing too. I came up with an idea to create a soup cookbook to help other people with cancer. The book was sold at Chai’s flagship centre and was so popular, it sold out, so we’ve reprinted and raised over £2,000 so far.”
Nineteen-year-olds George Rosenfeld and Asher Levy set up The 4 Sons for their barmitzvahs. They say: “Since we first set up the group, aged 13, it has combined two passions which all the boys share — one for music and one for charity.
“Over the past six years, it’s been about more than just the songs which we have enjoyed performing or the £57,000 which we have raised for our wonderful charities [more than £27,200 of which was for Chai] — it’s been about the power of bringing these two things together. That’s what motivates us every day.” The group has recently relaunched as Kol Tov. Other group members include Noam Bernstein, Gideon Caplan and Rafi Levy.
Fulfilling tikkun olam (repairing the world) and giving back as part of your bar and batmitzvah preparations is meaningful, significant and extremely rewarding, knowing you are helping so many other people. Chai looks forward to working with you to create your Chai Mitzvah project.
*The Chai in Schools programme was designed to give teaching staff the strategies to support children experiencing the impact of a cancer diagnosis in their family. Acting as a central point of contact, Chai liaises between school and family to coordinate all the needs of the child, tailoring support to the type of request received. As the need developed, Chai has expanded this programme and now sends specialist play/art therapists and counsellors into the school premises to work directly with the children affected.
Danni Blumenblatt, 020 8457 3394 danielleb@chaicancercare.org 020 8202 2211 Freephone helpline: 0808 808 4567 chaicancercare.org Registered charity 1078956