JNS
“If children and their caregivers can’t be home for the seder, we want to bring the seder to them,” said CEO Rabbi Simcha Scholar.
Over the course of the Passover holiday, Chai Lifeline will distribute “Seder in a Box” packages to young patients being treated in hospitals in areas around the country.
“Pesach is a holiday that is centered heavily around the concept of family, particularly children. For that reason, we know that it is that much more challenging and isolating for those who are forced to spend the holiday in a hospital setting,” said Rabbi Simcha Scholar, CEO of Chai Lifeline. “If children and their caregivers can’t be home for the seder, we want to bring the seder to them.”
Chai Lifeline works with medical teams and social workers in dozens of hospitals around the United States and the world to identify families in need and design the packages based on their specific requirements. These needs can vary from dietary restrictions in response to the child’s conditions, as well as those families who have specific kosher standards.
Included in the box are traditional elements of the Passover meal, such as matzah, grape juice and Haggadahs, as well as magazines, books and games so children and parents are able to best enjoy the holiday despite the obvious emotional and practical challenges.
The international children’s health organization offers a variety of programs designed for children and families coping with serious illnesses and crises.
Additional support to thousands of Chai Lifeline families around the country includes financial aid through the Evan Levy Fund to help cover holiday expenses, grocery gift cards, meals delivered to families, assistance with household chores, and holiday activities and events for children.
“Over the years, we have been blessed to hear countless reports from families who describe a Pesach seder alongside their child’s hospital bed as a deeply moving experience,” said Scholar. “We are encouraged to do everything possible to help as many families as we can with the hope that this will in some way speed up their child’s recovery and add to their holiday joy.”
Caption: Volunteers with Chai Lifeline deliver boxes of kosher-for-Passover food to young children and their families who spend the holiday in the hospital, April 2022. Credit: Courtesy
