An Ocean Themed Playroom Opens at Schneider Children’s Hospital in Israel
Shortly after October 7th, Neil Kupferman, Sholom Jacobs, and other friends from the Five Towns visited Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petach Tikva. They felt an undeniable calling to make a difference. Wanting to create something lasting that would bring love, joy, and healing to hospitalized children, they envisioned the Toys for Simcha Playroom.
The space was dreamed up by the Ovadia Design Group and brought to life with cutting-edge technology by Breeze Creative. “Each time a child enters this playroom, we pray that the simcha we share will bring faster healing. To help a child heal is a gift!” shared Rabbi JJ Hecht II, president of Toys for Simcha.
For kids surrounded by beeping machines and white walls, the gentle blues, aquatic designs, and soft light bring calm and joy. Stress and fear are replaced by curiosity and laughter. Children can play and explore at their own pace, which builds emotional resilience and helps their bodies respond better to treatment. Interactive technology such as the water table and life-size video game activities, fully immerses children in play, letting them forget their pain and simply be kids.
“When children walk from their hospital rooms into this room, they go from sickness and melancholy to a magical world filled with happiness, hope, and healing. Watching their faces light up is something that will live on forever, and creating this room is the greatest honor I could give my parents,” shared Neil Kupferman, Toys for Simcha Board member and major donor to the project.
“Visiting the hospital, signing for the children, seeing their smiles, and being part of this incredible playroom is so special,” shared another donor, Shalom Jacobs.
“Seeing the children playing and smiling in the room, and having a place to just be kids, makes all the hard work worth it,” shared Adam & Hodaia Rodriguez, Toys for Simcha team members.
The playroom features interactive systems that respond to children’s movements. Every detail, from textures underfoot to visual effects on the walls, encourages exploration and ensures safe play. “The ocean theme, combined with thoughtfully designed activity areas, creates a space that is calming, playful, and full of life, supporting both imagination and emotional well-being”, shared Jack Ovadia.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the entire team at Schneider Children’s Medical Center, our friends at Clalit Health Services, especially Eldad Adar, the visionaries at Ovadia Design Group, the creatives at Breeze Creative, Hod Gamliel & HED Cinema, and our dedicated Board of Directors.
The Toys for Simcha Playroom is proudly sponsored by the Friends of the Five Towns:
Suzi and Yaron Gohar, Idit and Meir Hillel, Pessy and Sholom Jacobs, Limor and Ezra Karako, Chantel and Neil Kupferman, Wendy and Michael Munter, Elyssa and Ira Neuberg, Ben Neuberg and Jackie Neuberg, Malkie and Avner Vider, Erica and Ben Joseph, Karen and David Moreno, The Kupferman Family in honor of Ruth and Charles Kupferman on their 85th birthday.
