Crown Heights Friendship Circle Kicks Off a New Year

Shortly after the hustle and bustle of Tishrei subsided over 250 Crown Heights high school girls, and some 40 Yeshiva Bochurim, gathered for their annual Friendship Circle volunteer training and kickoff.

Girls Division Kickoff

Hosted at the JCM, the girls were served light refreshments and had a chance to “meet and greet” fellow volunteers from other schools in the community.

Two workshops were setup, new volunteers by Mrs. Libby Klein, MSED, and returning volunteers by Mrs. Eidel Sputz, SLP, CCC which was followed by a general session for all volunteers.

A special thank you to Mushky Gurevitch, the Friendship Circle volunteer coordinator and to the very dedicated school presidents.

Boys Division Kickoff

For Yeshiva Bochurim wishing to volunteer it is much more difficult. Their packed day of learning affords them only a single ‘1 hour break’ a day which they get for themselves. Nevertheless some 40 Bochurim chose to forgo their hour and will be volunteering for the Friendship Circle!

The boys division – for boys over 10 years old – will have Bochurim from Oholei Torah and Chovevei Torah visit their homes, learn with them at Yeshiva and a host of programs and activities planned for the coming year.

The Bochurim were treated to dinner and heard from Rabbi Mendel Nemes passed director of the Friendship Circle, who gave over some tricks of the trade and anecdotes how to work with and succeed with children and young adults with special needs.

Yossi Smoller, the Boys division coordinator, emphasized the importance of dedication and consistency, explaining that what a Friendship Circle volunteer learns and gains during this experience, is priceless and will last a lifetime.

The Friendship Circle would like to thank its many sponsors – without them none of the great work would be possible.

For more information about any of the Friendship Circle programs, or to volunteer, please contact by phone (718) 907-8835 or by email Hello@FCBrooklyn.com