Kids with Special Needs Enjoy ‘Chanukah on Fire’

‘Chanukah on Fire’ was the theme of this year’s Friendship Circle Chanukah Party, hosted at the Jewish Children’s Museum. Families came and enjoyed a delicious barbecue dinner, fire show, face painting, photo booth and an array of crafts and fun for all ages, arranged by Rabbi Berel and Chani Majesky.

While the parents enjoyed a buffet of barbecue foods upstairs, children were greeted with a room full of crafts on the lower level. Doughnut decorating and edible Dreidel making were a huge hit. Sticker art, window glass decorations and CD Dreidels were just a few other crafts the children could choose from.

The highlight of the evening was when everyone came together for a fantastic magic and fire show, by the wonderful Keith Leaf. He kept both young and old spellbound by his daring feats and interactive acts.

The Menorah was lit by Yehudah Reichman and Rabbi Mendel Nemes, followed by some Chanukah songs and dancing with Fitche Benshimon.

As everyone left, each child received a special Chanukah gift. Every one of the 200+ gifts were specifically chosen and wrapped for each individual child.

The Friendship Circle would like to thank all the volunteers who helped out by manning the booths and helping out with the children. Special thanks also go to Sarale Jurkowicz,Mushky Tenenbaum, Mushky Borisute, Rozy Tzivin and the FC High School Presidents.

The Friendship Circle would also like to thank the evening’s sponsors: Zalman and Pessi Schochat, Dovid and Malki Smetana, The Nelco Foundation, Sholom Ber Eckhaus, Benz’s Food Products, The NCFJE and Mrs. Baila Hecht, Chaos Commerce and Mottie Wiener, the Weinstock Family and to all those who dropped off and purchased gifts for the toy drive.

Photos by Chaim Perl; artwork by Estee Klein