Hands-On For Children’s First Annual Chinese Auction and Bake Sale

A memorable and powerful event took place recently. It was an evening and all-day fundraiser in the home of Jack and Lillian Srour where the community gathered in unison to support Hands-On For Children. Hands-On For Children helps pediatric cancer patients and their families by easing the hardship of dealing with illness. Physically, and emotionally, Hands-On is there to alleviate the burden of taking care of ill children. The organization provides emotional and educational support services, daily hospital visits, and therapeutic hi-tech toys for the children. Each child and family is catered to according to their individual needs.

This spectacular event came together when Yenti Frost, the Director of Hands-On For Children contacted the Mitzvah Man for help with her foundation. In these economically dire times, the organization needed help raising money for their ever-growing patient database. As a Mitzvah Man volunteer, Lillian and her husband, Jack, offered to host a fundraising event for this vital cause. Uniquely, the fundraiser was to be a one-and-a-half day event, with a splendid Chinese Auction, bake sale, and a variety of Purim baskets for sale. After only a few phone calls, the bulk of the community agreed to serve as volunteers, gathering fully donated items for the Chinese Auction and Purim baskets. Community members poured out their whole hearts and souls for this project, K’ish echad, b’lev echad (as one person and one heart).

The night kicked off with Rabbi Meyer Yedid speaking about ambition. Men and women were able to enjoy this inspirational class while including themselves in a great hesed.

Mrs. Frost introduced herself and her organization, and asked the crowd to pray that cancer be cured so her organization will go out of business. She then introduced us to a cancer survivor who received help from Hands-On. The survivor told the crowd about her experience during the tragic chapter of her life and how the volunteers helped her make it through and fight the disease. The parents of the hosts of the event, Mark and Madeline Gabbai and Ruthy and Albert Srour expressed harmoniously, “We are so proud of our children and our wonderful community, for this magnificent event has touched many people’s hearts.”

The following day, the world- renowned speaker and author of Raising a Child with Soul, Slovie Jungreis Wolff (the daughter of Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis) told women that happiness is achieved by focusing on our own blessings and not envying others. Community member Allegra Schwecky especially enjoyed her class saying, “It was so inspiring, she spoke to our souls, just like her mom! She made me cry. The event is elegant, with such gracious hosts.”

Yitti Fisch, the Brooklyn Volunteer Coordinator for Hands-On brought the crowd to tears with the emotional stories of her visits to children. Yitti gave an example of how the organization goes to great lengths with their patients, by telling how they made one patient’s dream come true by flying her to Orlando with a specially made itinerary. Another cancer survivor who received support from Hands-On spoke of her experiences with the organization. Attendee Michelle Kraiem was touched by the speeches saying, “The cause is amazing. The Founder flew into Pittsburgh and made a cancer patient a great birthday party and it made her so happy. She changed the patient’s whole day so that she didn’t think of her illness. Smiling and laughing brings a person back to life!”

Winding down an amazing day, Rabbi Duvi Bensoussan told us about a boy who was diagnosed with cancer and was scared of losing his friends for looking different without hair. His classmates surprised him by shaving all of their heads so that he would feel comfortable—showing how the Jewish nation is truly, k’ish echad, b’lev echad.

A wonderful day raised money for a most-worthy cause, and encouraged many of us to be thankful for our good health, and all that we have. May we continue to bind together and always help each other as one Jewish soul, and with G-d’s help, may Yenti Frosts’ dream come true, that she “goes out of business,” Amen.

Special thanks to Lillian and Jack Srour for hosting an amazing event. Thank you Mitzvah Man for making it happen and to Yenti Frost and Yitti Fisch and all Hands-On volunteers for your dedication. Thank you to Mrs. Slovie Jungreis Wolff, Rabbi Meyer Yedid, and Rabbi Duvi Bensoussan for your soul-strengthening speeches. Thank you Gem Suslovich for setting up a beautiful display for the Chinese Auction. Thanks to the committee: Eve Daniel, Natalie Oliel, Janet Gindi, Chani Hassoun, Lillian Srour, Rebecca Bouganim, Michelle Faham, Lucy Aini, Ruthy Srour, Ava Serrur, Adele Mann, Sara Kassin, Karen Saodia, and Shelly Safdie. Thank you to all who volunteered, baked, donated to the Chinese Auction and all who came out to support our cause.

If you wish to donate to Hands On For Children, please send your donation to P.O. Box 562, Monsey, NY 10952. All donations are tax exempt.

It is with heartfelt gratitude that we wish to extend our sincerest appreciation to the Flatbush community for your display of generosity towards helping ill children and young adults stricken with serious illnesses and their families.
May you be blessed to always have the ability to be on the giving end,  making others so happy by the hesed you set out to do.
Thank you Jack and Lillian Srour for graciously hosting our event in your home. May Hashem repay you with health, happiness, nachat and success in all your endeavors. May you always make simchot in your home.
To the one-of-a-kind committee that devoted much time, effort and talent towards seeing this event through from start to finish, may you continue your mitzvot and good deeds towards helping others. What a pleasure it was working with such a great team.
A very special debt of gratitude is extended to Natalie Oliel. Words alone would never suffice for all you do to benefit the precious Hands-On families. You are truly appreciated.
Thank you to all the sponsors and donors who helped make this party a true success.
And last but not least, to the Mitzvah Man for recognizing our mission, for your words of encouragement, for your special connections, but most of all for your selfless dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of Klall Yisroel, you are always there reaching out and touching hearts!
Thank you to our very dynamic speakers Rebetzin Slovie Jungreis Wolff, Rabbi Meyer Yedid and Rabbi Duvi Bensoussan who have made an incredible impression in all our hearts with your pearls of wisdom.

With Much Appreciation,
Hands-On For Children Staff & All the Appreciative Families.

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Raquel Laniado is a graduate of Hunter College with a B.A. in Sociology, and a minor in Hebrew and Music. Raquel is a freelance writer for the IMAGE.