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 Who said chesed can’t be fun!
11th-grader Brocha Lobel had an idea, and with a combination of idealism and motivation, she instituted A Night to Unite, a musical extravaganza, under the direction of the singer, Malky Giniger, in which many Brooklyn schools participated. Feelings ran high as the schools worked b’achdus, together as a team. But Brocha wasn’t satisfied yet. “We’re having such a great time. Lets benefit the needy with the proceeds.” And so, in just three weeks, the musically-gifted Brocha Lobel and her friends coordinated a women-only concert featuring Malky Giniger and choreographed musical performances. Groups of girls from Bais Yaakovs throughout Brooklyn participated, and the proceeds were donated to Ezer Mizion, Israel’s Health Support System.
“Ezer Mizion does so much,” said Brocha, “They have a guest home and summer camp for cancer patients to stay with their families. They provide transportation and meals for the elderly. They loan medical equipment to those who need it. They even help out during terror attacks and provide mentoring for children who have difficulty coping with their losses.” A Night to Unite was a resounding success and was repeated the next year, again benefiting Ezer Mizion. As Brocha and her friends were using their abilities and talents to their utmost, another group in Israel was doing the same. Ezer Mizion’s Beit Chana Afternoon Club for Special Needs offers activities for Downs Syndrome children. With love, warmth and encouragement, they are told, “Yes, you can do it!” And with that love, warmth and encouragement…..they achieve. Ezer Mizion’s Afternoon Activity Clubs provide supervision and constructive activity for children with special needs during afternoons, weekends and holidays. There are 11 afternoon clubs in five cities in Israel. Many of these children are difficult to control and keep happily occupied at home. Afternoon club directors aim to utilize the children’s time productively and teach them positive social skills. Included are integrating within a group, developing positive relationships with others, completing tasks, following instructions, accepting constructive criticism, respect for authority and showing helpfulness. The clubs are happy, vibrant places where the children love to spend time. “A musical?” scoffed the pessimists. “These children are not capable of acting in a musical!” Toby Baron, Beit Chana’s director, knew differently. With the devotion and encouragement of a very special teacher, the naysayers were forced to stand aside. A musical was born! In “With Lots of Love,” a neshamah begs  HaShem to allow her to stay in Shomayim, afraid people will make fun of her different face, and they rejoice as she gratefully thanks her parents for providing the ‘sunshine’ to allow her to grow. The tears flowed freely as the audience watched a highly professional concert performed so well by ‘those who could never do it’. Along with the cast, the audience grew in its understanding of the many different ‘flowers’ in Hashem’s world. The highlight of the evening was the glow on the faces of the performers, “We did it! I can’t believe it! We’re on stage!” With Lots of Love was so highly praised that it was performed many times throughout Israel. And for the first time ever, the Beit Chana girls will join (via video) the Bais Yaakov girls in Brooklyn in With Lots of Love: A Night to Unite. The concert will be held in Brooklyn, on Motzaei Shabbos, December 30, 2006, at Madison High School, 3787 Bedford Avenue. For information and to purchase tickets with a credit card, please call the Ezer Mizion office at 718 853 8300. The complete video is available for showing throughout the country. Please call Channie Miller at Ezer Mizion 718 853 8400 for details.
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