“Circle of Hope” Celebrated

Though a hurricane of wind and rain jsut wreaking havoc throughout the Northeast, an event last week focused on the hurricane that women’s lives become as they fight breast cancer. On October 25th, Chabad of Merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh made history, by hosting its first annual Journey for a Purpose, a women’s evening in support of those who face breast cancer. Over 300 women from across Merrick, Bellmore, Wantagh and Long Island attended the event.

The evening was also the launch of Circle of Hope, a unique organization providing resources for breast cancer patients, their families and the community in the form of financial assistance, emotional support and preventative health seminars. The entire region was so impressed with the Circle of Hope project that legislator Dave Denenberg declared October 25th, “Circle of Hope Day.”

“What an amazing event put together to honor and help those suffering from breast cancer in our community. Everything was organized, beautiful and appropriate. I hope that the Circle of Hope continues with its message for many years,” said Nadine Kaufman of Merrick.

Circle of Hope was formed in partnership with Sharsheret, the national non-profit that caters to Jewish women who face breast cancer. As Lisa Fessler, co-chair of the event and breast cancer survivor, explained, Circle of Hope seeks to provide monetary assistance, rides to the doctor or hospital, summer camp scholarship for patients’ children, monthly support groups, preventative testing, educational seminars, a wig bank and makeup lessons for those undergoing chemotherapy, and more. Fessler even displayed her own wig to the audience, and made the first donation to the wig bank.

In her address to the women, Cindy Knoll, co-chair of the evening and breast cancer survivor, explained her connection to Circle of Hope: “I now want to inspire and serve others as I move forward in my life with an even greater sense of purpose. [All the women in attendance] give hope to breast cancer women fighting for their lives with the money [they] donated.”

Women who contributed large sponsorships to Circle of Hope received a decorative mezuzah with a real scroll inside, in order to bring protection to their home and family.

The evening’s features of note were a runway show sponsored by Runway Couture, Let’s Accessorize and Lets Bag It, where many of the models were themselves breast cancer survivors, and an address by Dr. Ruth Oratz, premier oncologist at New York University’s Langone Medical Center, who emphasized that while medical help is crucial for those suffering, care and support from the community is even more important. Outstanding vocalist Julien Harris entertained the crowd to the musical accompaniment of Justin Neugeboren, both of whom are seniors at Kennedy High School.

In her address to the audience, Mrs. Chani Kramer, co-director of Chabad of Merrick and co-chair of Journey for a Purpose, emphasized the spiritual significance of Circle of Hope: “When we want to connect with G-d, when we wish to become holier and better people, helping another person is the way we accomplish that.”