The Friendship Circle Kickoff Party!
BROOKLYN, NY -– The new school year has just begun but last Tuesday night, pop-quizzes were far from the minds of two hundred local high school girls. The girls abandoned their books to take part in a festive Kickoff Party for the 2006-07 Friendship Circle season.
Friendship Circle volunteers visit children with special needs to offer friendship to the children and respite to their overburdened families. Tuesday’s Kickoff Party at the Jewish Children’s Museum was a chance for students to learn about the incredible programs and to volunteer. With soft music playing in the background the girls enjoyed a lavish salad bar while Chayle Kopfstein, program coordinator of the Friendship Circle, made her rounds chatting with them and answering questions.
More in the Extended Article!
To the delight and fascination of the 200 participants, the evening was highlighted by a dessert demo with professional pastry chef Rivka Turner. Mrs. Turner showed the crowd how to prepare the popular Italian tiramisu dessert.
Tzirl Goldman, director of the Friendship Circle @ the Jewish Children’s Museum said the organization was launched four years ago to fill a void in the lives of children with special needs. “[They] feel isolated. They see their siblings and other kids going around doing things, and think ‘why can’t I?’” What began as a small project to include children with special needs in everyday activities and celebrations has blossomed into a vibrant organization serving communities throughout Brooklyn.
While it took a lot of coordinating and resourcefulness to round up that first group of volunteers, today, FC directors say the high school kids want to join. “We gain from the kids as much as we give” said a volunteer.
It’s easy to join the Friendship Circle as a volunteer. Girls can call Chayle at: 718.907.8835. Boys can call Rabbi Nemes at: 718.907.8840 or email friendshipcircle@jcm.museum Adult volunteers are welcome.
Chayle Kopfstein and the Friendship Circle would like to thank Dovid Weinbaum and Yehudis Kramer for helping make the event the success that it was.
Click here to view a moving video describing the work of the Friendship Circle.
a proud nephew
tzirel
you do great work and make so so proud out here that their is so much work in our home town and someone stood up to the plate
Henni Halberstam
Chayale, Tzirl it looks like it was an incredible event!
RW
Go Chayale Kopfstein did a gr8 job yet again! and for you Dovid W. always there when your needed!!
go chani k!
go katzman! missin ya here in london…….
big fan
The dessert looks great. Go go Mrs. Turner.
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nice job rochie smetana for all that uve done, colecting forms annoucments…
vivi
wow! awsome!!!
moussie
omg guys you look so cute
its moussie here in montreeal missing you all
bye
E-L-E-V-E-N
eleven eleven, E-L-E V-E-N!! go juniors!! woooohooo.. where all so proud of you keep up the good work! :)
rivkaaaaaaa
go brhssssssssss.
boom boom boom we love the seniors
hahaha
AB
Go Jude! You did it again – always coming to the rescue!! You go gal!
Go dovid w
Hey dovid – as usual always there to help when people need you!!
chaya- miami
hey guys!! you look amazing!!!!!!!!!!
katzman
YO KATZIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
we are so proud of u!
Your future aunt Chayle
Thank you Rochie Smatana for all your hard work with helping me pull off this event! YOU ARE THE BEST
shaindel
go chayle! looks great – mazal tov!
dadsfoundit
that Rivky Turner is sure someone special KEH
she must come from a real good family
we are all proud of her
keep up the good work in good health and happiness
and have a really great year
Faigy
Great Job Rivk! Kudos!
A FRIEND ;)
GO DRAIZY!!!!!!!!!!
london rocks
gooooooooooo chayale ur doin a gr8 job
we are missin u down here in london!!