FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Derek Saker,
Director of Communications
OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services
dsaker@ohelfamily.org
347-920-0199

OHEL Celebrates Purim with Le Cirque Du Purime Masquerade Ball

Over a year in the planning, Long Island Families' Le Cirque Du Purime Masquerade Ball took the 5 towns by storm on February 25th, 2010.  Kicking off the Purim season, it was a night of whimsy and magical entertainment, co-chaired by Yonina Wind, Shoshana Mizrachi and Jessica Lampert, with party planning chair Esther Silber. 

Despite a ("snowicane") blizzard of epic proportions, over 225 revelers turned up in costumes for the first time ever charity ball benefiting the women and children served by OHEL's domestic abuse program.  

According to David Mandel, CEO of OHEL, “The night was especially important for the way it introduced many to OHEL for the first time. This was a crowd with excitement, youth and love of gemilas chasadim. These are all attributes personified by those who came out to support OHEL and the many programs it provides.”

Guests were given "red carpet treatment", with "paparazzi" snapping away, while real cirque performers including a fantasy stilt walker, a mentalist, magician, juggler, and an acrobat who was recently seen on Jay Leno entertained the crowd at Sephardi Temple, fabulously transformed with a downtown jazz vibe atmosphere courtesy of Esther Silber and Heshy J of Scoop Couture Events.  Cools sounds emanated from the live liquid jazz fusion band, glittering raffles prize packages added luster, and an exciting costume contest all added up to a unique and memorable evening all benefiting a cause the 5 towns community was eager to get behind.

OHEL Bais Ezra is a pioneering social services agency that delivers a breadth of innovative programs and services for individuals and families at risk, and individuals with developmental or psychiatric disabilities, in both residential and out-patient settings. Founded in 1969 and with close to 100 residences, apartments, and more than 30 diverse programs, OHEL services have been consistently ranked #1 by New York City. Touching the lives of thousands of individuals at every stage, and every day, OHEL’s professional services are available throughout New York,  New Jersey and South Florida. These services include Housing, Foster Care, Out-Patient Counseling, At Home Based Services, School Based Services, Abuse Services and Camps.