12/07/15 - OHEL Lights up the Lives of its Children
and Families During Chanukah!

Chanukah is a special time for many of us, and these 8 unique days of simcha are especially a time when  many OHEL Children’s Home & Family Services residences and individuals feel the joy and warmth of the holiday.

As in previous years,  OHEL’s Volunteer department ran a very successful Annual Chanukah Gift Drive and OHEL thanks the many hundreds of schools, shuls, organizations and families who contributed thousands of gifts to children and families at OHEL.

On the 2nd night of Chanukah, OHEL hosted its annual Chanukah party. Every year OHEL staff, volunteers, and board members, all gather to celebrate Chanukah together with hundreds of OHEL individuals. 

The OHEL Chanukah Party, which saw over 800 people in attendance, was again graciously sponsored by Sammy and Lea Trencher. Smiles warmed hearts, and together with entertainers including face painters, balloon sculptures and a magician, attendees enjoyed dancing, food, and sufgoniyot sponsored by Jerry Weisman of OMNI Managed Health

The highlight of the evening was a fabulous performance by the Shloime Dachs Orchestra which had the whole room up on their feet and dancing. There were gifts and giveaways on every table, and nobody left the party empty handed! 

OHEL also held a special Chanukah Foster Party for OHEL foster parents and children in foster care. It provided a much appreciated opportunity for parents, families, and children in similar situations to enjoy a fun night of food, dancing, donuts, complete with a fun and interactive magic show. To top off the evening, each foster child received a present to take home. 

Shulamis Marcus a Homefinding Associate for OHEL Foster Care conveyed that a highlight of the evening was when all the fathers got together for a game of Simon Says. “It was really a moving moment to see all of the children watching their fathers and foster fathers participate.”

The Chanukah festivities continued throughout the week, with Day Habilitation Chanukah parties in North Shore Hebrew Academy High School, Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ), Westchester Day School and Torah Academy of Bergen County (TABC). 

For over 46 years, OHEL has provided help to individuals with developmental and psychiatric illness, to children abused and neglected, and to families with nowhere else to turn. All of these individuals are part of the OHEL family, and without OHEL they would have nowhere to turn and no place to call home.  They all deserve Simcha and the ability to celebrate with our community members. 

Since 1969, OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services has served as a dependable haven of individual and family support, helping people of all ages effectively manage disability, surmount everyday challenges, heal from trauma, and manage with strength and dignity during times of crisis.