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Camp Simcha & Camp Simcha Special

Simcha Magic: Feel It In The Air!

Arabian Nights

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We’ve got a palace, we’ve got princesses, and at dinner we had a royal banquet.  There was a delicious buffet of steamed rice, sesame chicken, franks in blankets, egg rolls, and vegetable lo mein – there were even carving stations set up were in Aladdin’s palace, and Italian ices served for dessert.  Then princess Jasmine along with all her fellow royals hopped onto the magic carpet and flew to a magnificent night activity.  The excited campers filed into the Social Hall where an emotional Thank You presentation took place. Both staff and campers cheered to individually thank each staff member that made CSS 2014 possible. We thanked lifeguards, maintenance, specialty, division heads, medical staff, head staff, and so many more…

We listened to a song written by Henny, and then we excitedly settled in for an entertaining video that covered the past two amazing weeks.  We all cheered and laughed as we remembered the good times. The Queen of Hearts, a petting zoo, pirate capture the flag, and a paint fight and lots of smiles were just some of the images that flashed across the screen.  After the video everyone headed to the fire-pit to roast s’mores and watch a slideshow.  The happy memories illuminated the screen. Sitting around the bonfire while remembering the good times was a beautiful close to a beautiful day, and a truly amazing session. Tomorrow, CSS 2014 will come to an end, but the memories will last forever.

Reunion Weekend in Wesley Hills

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Last weekend, our campers and counselors enjoyed an awesome reunion complete with horseback riding, ATVs, fun and games. Many thanks to Menny and Basya Schwab for generously hosting!

Friends N’ Fun Weekends are dedicated in memory of Sari Ort, a”h.

Wesley Hills Weekend

Austin Mahone’s Message for Tallie

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Childhood cancer warrior Tallie was scheduled to see an Austin Mahone concert but had to cancel because she wasn’t feeling well.

Austin sent her this message!

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Many thanks to our incredible volunteers for making this possible.

A Letter from a Team Lifeline Runner

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In the weeks leading up to February 2nd, whenever I told anyone I was running a Half Marathon with Team Lifeline, I was met with looks of awe, amazement, and for the most part, confusion. You are running how far? Why??? And in a few words, I would try to explain about the journey I was embarking on but it was never enough.

On Sunday February 2nd, together with over 300 runners from all over the US, Canada, and even Israel, I ran in the Lifetime Miami Marathon with Team Lifeline. Our goal: to raise money (over $2 million!) for the incredible kids of Chai Lifeline, to give our warriors battling illness a summer of magic in Camp Simcha. My goal: to once again run 13.1 miles, beating my own personal time, and rock the blue and yellow with pride.

From the start of the weekend which began with dinner with the Team Lifeline runners, Chai Lifeline families, supporters, Camp Simcha staff and volunteers, I knew I was in for a memorable weekend. Friday night was one of inspiration, meeting runners and reconnecting with friends.

And then came the pre-race pasta party. In the uproar of the music to pump us up, the cheering that couldn’t be silenced, and the singing, things were starting to get real.
We are here. All of us together.

Ari Weinberger, Chairman of Team Lifeline, spoke about his journey with Chai Lifeline. Round one of tears and cheers.

We watched the Camp Simcha boys video from Time Square (Wall of Fame) and another video about the journey of two campers. Round two of tears and cheers.

Then a mother of a Camp Simcha camper came up. Keeping my eyes from totally blurring, I listened in awe to her family’s story and how Chai Lifeline was a part of it. Round three of even more tears, and even louder cheers.

We heard about Team Power Players, the team of counselors and campers who ran to raise money to rebuild their lost bunk house.

It was an intensely emotional evening, capped off by the excitement of knowing on Sunday, we would run. For our collective cause. For personal reasons. For Chai Lifeline.

Sunday morning met us bright and early at 4 a.m. Team Lifeline boarded the buses to the start line. We took a group photo and then we took off for our corrals.
With much anticipation, we waited for the starting gun…. and then we were off!

Throughout the course, Team Lifeline runners could be seen in their yellow and blue running shirts, with pictures of campers pinned to their backs. I was fortunate enough to pace with two Chai Lifeline parents. Seeing them, knowing their struggle and knowing they were here with me for the cause, propelled me throughout the race.

One of the highlights was the mile seven cheering squad. Staff, volunteers, families, all in yellow and blue cheered on the runners as we passed.

Following the race, as we all smiled through our aches and pains, we enjoyed a much deserved victory meal and got to listen to personal accounts of some of the runners.

Team Lifeline 2014 was an experience that will stay with me for a long time. The camaraderie, happiness, devotion, motivation and most of all, love, has left an incredible impression on me.

I cannot wait for the 10th Anniversary of Team Lifeline in 2015. See you all there!

Disney Trip

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This past week, our cancer warriors were treated to a magical four day journey to Disney World in Orlando, FL with their Camp Simcha counselors. Thank you to Ohr Meir for making this trip possible! Read more about the trip here!
ohrMeir

Happy Hanukkah From Camp Simcha!

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Here’s wishing the entire Camp Simcha family a Happy Hanukkah! Yesterday, our New York region’s families, volunteers, and staff enjoyed an amazing afternoon of Hanukkah celebration.

Delicious dinner, crafts, and a spectacular concert featuring Michoel Pruzansky, Eli Gerstner, The Yeshiva Boys Choir, and Mezamrim were enjoyed by all.

Each child went home with fabulous Hanukkah presents.

chanukah

Did you know?

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Did you know that Camp Simcha fun continues airplaneyear-round with hospital visits/parties, and get togethers around the globe? Check out the continual magic of Camp Simcha as some of our Israeli campers have the flight of a lifetime piloting an airplane. Thank you to pilot Nir Doron for your generosity and patience!

Anny Sings For Chai Lifeline

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Anny, one of our very own Camp Simcha campers, is hoping to raise several thousand dollars for Chai Lifeline through an ambitious Bat Mitzvah project.

Having divided her time in recent months between chemotherapy treatments, summers at Camp Simcha and other Chai Lifeline event’s, Anny elected to undertake a project that would benefit other children who are dealing with cancer.

“Anny is so grateful for the support she has received from Chai Lifeline that she embarked on a project entitled ‘Anny Sings for Chai Lifeline,’” reported Mrs. Safier.

“Anny has an incredible voice and perfect pitch,” said Mrs. Safier. “She also does harmonies on the CD and is the only voice heard on the album.”

Proceeds from the album, which is being sold for a suggested minimum donation of $10, will benefit Chai Lifeline. Anny’s original goal was to raise $5,000 for Chai Lifeline, but in the aftermath of the fire that struck Camp Simcha, the pre-teen has set her sights on a specific target: helping the camp rebuild the two buildings that were destroyed in the blaze.

Copies of the album are currently available online at
annysingsforchailifeline@gmail.com, at the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of New Jersey in River Edge, The Frisch School and Yeshivat Noam, both located in Paramus.

For more information about Anny Sings for Chai Lifeline contact Mrs. Safier at annysingsforchailifeline@gmail.com.

To read the full article, click HERE