Posted to Crown Heights News on

Friendship Brings Mothers and Daughters Together

by Mimi Notik

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Tuesday night, over 200 mothers and their daughters gathered at the Jewish Children’s Museum for the first-ever Friendship Circle “Mother and Daughter Tea” honoring the hard work and dedication of the high school volunteers.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Chayle Eckhaus, who co-directs the Friendship Circle with her husband Rabbi Levi, opened the evening laying the evening’s mission:

“This evening is dedicated to giving every mother here a glimpse into the incredible work of some very unique women, your daughters,” she said, referring to the volunteers as “a group of girls that, through their friendship with the special children in our community, have become mature, compassionate, caring, responsible, and sensitive young women.”

An all-pink theme – including picture centerpieces and tulips – welcomed the mothers for an evening of entertainment, food, and inspiration from their daughters.

Volunteer Moussie Krinsky spoke about her friendship with Rochel Brennan.

“Many assume that because I’m a Friendship Circle volunteer I’m constantly giving,” she said. “Although that sounds nice, I must confess I’m usually the receiver. Thanks to Rochel, I’ve learned to be more patient and more understanding.”

At the end of the night, one mother approached Chayle Eckhaus in tears.

“These are tears of Teshuva,” she said.

“In the evenings, when my daughter would leave to Friendship Circle visits, I didn’t understand what she was going to do. I would rather her sit and do her homework. But this evening has shown me that Friendship Circle is an incredible program that is shaping my daughter into the woman I want her to be.”

The evening was highlighted by a moving slideshow presentation created by a volunteer, and a hilarious “Mother and Daughter Game hosted by the evenings MC Mrs. Bassie Kalmanson. In addition, a choir comprised of girls from both Bais Rivka and Bnos Menachem schools accompanied the slideshow.

Not only did this evening allow the volunteer’s mothers to feel proud of their daughter’s accomplishments, Friendship Circle created an environment where differences did not matter. It was a unique event which brought together different parts of the Crown Heights community. A mother of a volunteer told the FC staff that, “The most beautiful thing was, that it was an event for girls regardless of which school in the community they are from.”

This truly epitomizes Friendship Circle; an organization where every person is part of the circle.

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34 Comments

  • A volunteer

    Thanks to Chayle, Levi, Malka, and Chaya. It was really an unbelievable event!!! Always a PLEASURE to be there!!! :)

  • Crown Heights Resident

    It’s really amazing to see such strong devotion and commitment to making the lives of not only the special needs children better but, also giving the volunteers and the families they help an opportunity to become more compassionate and caring for everyone in their lives.

    These girls might not know it now but they are growing into wonderful young women who will only benefit this world.

    It brought me to tears…and I’m a guy…light tears…

    Keep up the great work!

  • Dalia Reichman

    Thank you Friendship Circle for everything you do for our children.We salute you.And…every night, when your neshamas make their nightly trip to the heavens…the angels stand in awe and salute you too.

  • fc volunteer

    the event was amazing!!!!!
    thank you Chayale and Levi for your hard work

  • wow

    wow thast looks amaizing!!! i wish calfornia can put sometyhing like this together…. and the decorations look fablulous!!!!! kol hakavod!!!!

  • Yashar Koach!!

    It’s nice to see that some people see our children as being, at least as important as “Frei Children”.
    Great job Friendship Circle!

  • chani kopfstein

    hey Chayale and Levi,
    Guys im proud to be your sister!!
    Your doing great work!!! Keep it up!!
    Love you tonss
    Love chanixx

  • Great work

    Great work Chayela and Levi, looks like it was a great evening!!

    keep up the good work

  • Aliza Scheinfeld

    What a beautiful evening!! We are so privileged and honored to be a part of this amazing group of people. Looking forward to the Purim Carnival.

  • Your Friends in Manhattan!

    Chayle (& Levi) you are doing the most incredible job with the friendship circle. Not only with the children, but with everyone involved, you are brining together a community in a beautiful, close way. Kol Hakovod. May you be blessed 1000 fold for all the hard work you do.

  • Ta Kopfstein,London.

    Chayle&Levi fantastic event.May you go from strength to strength.

  • Mimi Notik

    Congratulation to the best floor-mates ever! (especially you, Mashi! :))

  • Aviva Ernst - Maale Levona - Israel

    Back in the old days of 1993 – 1996 when we had moved back to CH before moving to Israel my two girls Batya z”l and Chaya-Mushka had girls from the friendship cirlce come weekly. I was always so impressed with how much they cared for my girls who were 3 and 6 at the time. My girls loved their visits and I loved it the year they brought an evening meal once at week.

    I am so happy to see how the program has grown.

    Keep up the great work

  • #1 admirer

    Malka & Chaya, way to go again!!!
    Rivka Bryski & Chayale E. excellent job with the decor, the place looks beautiful!!!!!

  • me

    go shaina and rochel shira!!! i wasnt there i can chear 4 u hear cuz u didnt hear me at production :):):)

  • MSY FRIENDS

    Go Malka and Chaya!!!! It looks AWESOME! We’re cheering for u all the way from Vienna!

  • esty

    chaya and malka you are incredible!! you guys do such amazing work and make it look so easy! u rock!

  • a proud b.r. parent

    go bais rivkah girls you are just so amazing keep up the good work that you do

  • your friend

    shaina frimerman your are the cutest kid in the whole world, u sing beutfully i love ya tonz!

  • california friendship cirlce volenterr

    cutest pictures ever!!!
    keep up the great work!!!

  • skittels kopfstein

    Go Chayle & Levi
    You rock the house..
    Missing you here in london.
    Love your sister.

  • yochy

    Devorie hecht you are the best!
    we ove you and r so proud of you
    love,
    your family in s.f c.h england and france