Fifteen teenagers who have recently completed their treatment for cancer, spent 10 action-packed days touring the length and breadth of Israel, as part of Chai Lifelines annual Wish at the Wall program.
Coming from states across America, the teens were joined by their parents, as well as Chai Lifeline volunteers and staff, as they experienced the trip of a lifetime. After spending days, months and often even years cooped up in a hospital, the goal of the trip is to enable these teens to slowly transition in to a post-cancer world, explained Rabbi Crandall, Director of the Program. Spending quality time with their parents in a refreshing setting and meeting other young people in similar situations is an ideal medium for this.
Saul Tbeile, from New York, was one of the groups participants. He and his mother, Melissa, were treated to unforgettable moments. The highlight was camelback riding with my son, commented Melissa. To spend time with him, in such a carefree environment, was all I could ever have wished for.
Other highlights included swimming in the Dead Sea, visiting an army base, and touring the Kotel tunnels. The group even spent time in Jerusalems Hadassah hospital visiting young Israeli cancer patients.
The trip used Jerusalems Prima Kings Hotel as their base. The hotel staff and management couldnt have been more pleased to host such a special group, and even donated the event hall of nearby Prima Palace Hotel for a huge Saturday night concert. We thoroughly enjoyed hosting such an inspiring and enthusiastic group of young people and we look forward to welcoming Chai Lifeline to the Prima Hotels again next year, said CEO Etty Levy.
