Bikkur Cholim: A Special Fund to Aid and Assist Children

A synagogue's initiative to aid and assist children who are ill and are in need of support. They host three annual events at a local area Hospital and they encourage as many temple members and children as possible to participate in order to foster one-on-one relationships with the patients.

Temple Beth Haverim
280 Ramapo Valley Road
Mahwah, NJ 07430
201.512.1983
www.bethhaverim.org

Target Groups: Multi-Generational Social Action Program

The Michelle Mitzvah Group, a strong component of Temple Beth Haverim’s social action program, was formed after the long-term illness and death of a child congregant.  The monies donated at that time as well as subsequent contributions were set aside to create a special fund to aid children.  The group now hosts three annual events at Blythedale Children’s Hospital, a long-term care facility.  Most of the patients are restricted to gurneys and wheelchairs but have remarkable attitudes, and the Michelle Mitzvah Group delights in hosting these events. 

At each function, the group brings non-institutional food, such as hero sandwiches or pizza, which the hospital staff has approved. They encourage as many temple members and children as possible to participate in order to foster one-on-one relationships with the patients. The volunteers provide a seasonal arts and crafts project, entertainment by clowns, appearances by local sports figures, and other fun-filled programming. In February the group hosts a “We Love You” party at the hospital. In October, they “trick-or-treat” with the patients and provide face painting and games.  During the summer they organize an outdoor picnic, barbeque, and softball game, during which Beth Haverim volunteers help the children score home runs.

On Christmas Day volunteers help at another pediatric hospital, providing entertainment and gifts.  Because of the debilitating illnesses in this facility, the volunteers are not permitted to bring food, so they focus on activities such as singing, performing magic tricks and celebrating the holiday spirit. 

Volunteers send all of their photographs from these events to the hospitals to decorate the recreation rooms and to keep the relationship between them and the children strong between events.  Beth Haverim has continued to honor the memory of the child it lost by helping to brighten the lives of these disabled young people.