Rabbi Scholar’s ‘Simcha’

The Brilliant and Dedicated Chesed of Chai Lifeline, Camp Simcha, & Camp Simcha Special

  March, 2023

‘Brilliant’ is a term more often reserved for complex thinking than for acts of kindness.

Shrewd, deep, clever, astute, etc. are also words frequently marshaled for sophisticated books, personalities, or byzantine structures.

That is a shame.

I recently had the zechus to be a guest at a Chai Lifeline Shabbos retreat. Next week I will share with the reader funny stories, interesting shailos, and fascinating issues that commonly arise when I have had the zechus to fill the role of ‘visiting rabbi’ for other, similar, events.

I thoughtI would be better emotionally prepared for this past Shabbos due to my eldest daughter’s involvement with Chai/Simcha and the many children she had introduced to our family over the years.

However, the reality of their operations was well beyond my already high expectations.

      It is axiomatic that we must care for those in need.

However, ‘chesadim‘ come in many forms, with financial aid being but one of the myriad of burdens we can lesson.

For example, when I was in yeshiva, a rebbe once shared with me that one must give maaser of his time in yeshiva for those who are falling behind or can’t find suitable chavrusos, etc. Tzedaka is not always in the form of financial aid.

     The shrewd understand that there are wealthy people who cry themselves to sleep, as well as those who from the outside seem to have it all figured out but whose internal walls are crumbling.

These are individuals who may appear to walk with confidence, yet who who feel within as shattered vessels.

      Deadly disease, R’l, is an example of the above.

It knows not from tax brackets, cares not if one’s peckle is already heavy, and does not discriminate based on age, status, or level of religious observance.

L”a, when it comes to children of such diseases, there is not a parent on earth who would not steal the machleh for themselves, if they could.

  Such non-discriminate pain must be matched with a similarly blinded chesed organization that can aid in returning smiles and laughter back into their respective homes, where such children are counting down the days until their next adventure instead of their next treatment.

   According to Chai’s mission statement: “Chai Lifeline is a leading international children’s health support network, providing social, emotional and financial support to children with life-threatening or lifelong illnesses and their families”

    But this doesn’t even begin to tell the whole story.

     Rav Simcha Scholar -Chai’s founder and CEO – advised with many gedolim when first materializing this organization, especially Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach and the previous Klausenberger rebbe.

The latter once shared with him that providing enjoyment for and relief to such children is so significant that (translated from Yiddish), “If such a child asks for a Coca-Cola then it is assur to bring them a Pepsi”!

     At Chai, they call the children who are ill ‘Warriors’. This is not meant euphemistically. Let me share a story or two.

     My daughter often talks about her experiences working with Chai, the trips they go on, the fun they have together. For some time now, she has been referencing a girl named Beilah. “Beilah and I took Devorah to the American Dream Mall”, “Beilah and I visited Chaya in the hospital”, etc. I was puzzled by this, and finally asked my daughter, “I thought that its typically one volunteer per child. Why did Chai pair you with this Beilah?”

    My daughter looked at me as if confused by the question. “Beilah is not a co-volunteer with me, Beilah is the young lady who is ill with whom I am partnered”.

   Now I was the one confused. “But you are so often talking about going with her to visit with this-or-that sick child”.

    My daughter explained that Beilah was so appreciative and emotionally charged by Chai’s visits, trips and gifts, that all she wants to do is give that same simchah to other sick children.

     Warriors indeed!

   My daughter then shared how one Shabbos in Camp Simcha (Chai’s summer program for sick children), they offered an “Ask the Camp Rav” event. Anyone with a question regarding halacha or hashkafa was to submit their query before Shabbos, and the next day the rav would provide informative answers. This would be an optional Shabbos activity in the afternoon. My daughter’s camper felt she should provide a question, however, being young, was having trouble coming up with one that she felt was worthy. “Racheli” she asked my daughter, “Maybe you can help me with a question…”

      My daughter -who at this point was extremely close with her -suggested she write down that the rav discuss tzadik v’rah lo, the definitive, timeless mystery of ‘why do bad things happen to good people’.

     This subject was of the three that Moshe rabbeinu asked Hakadosh Baruch Hu: “Moshe requested to understand the ways of Hashem, as it is stated: “Show me Your ways and I will know You” (shemos, 33:13), asking, ‘Riboneh Shel Olam, why is it that the righteous prosper, the righteous suffer, the wicked prosper, the wicked suffer?” (Berachos 7a)

     The subtext of this question was obvious to both her and her camper, and to the reader as well, I’m sure.

    Nevertheless, in response, her camper laughed at the notion. “Racheli, that’s not even a shailah! Everyone knows that this world is only a pruzdar, a gateway, to olam habah. Our reward is not wasted on this fleeting, material world!”

    This is a twelve-year-old girl!

   As a parent of a volunteer, I have seen hundreds -maybe thousands -of pictures from Camp Simcha and Chai events, trips and get-togethers. While some of the participants are in wheelchairs, others frail, and some on the mend -and made-up of all Jewish backgrounds -each picture always has a common denominator, one thing that is always the same:

Every. Single. Child. Is. Smiling.

As I was leaving Sunday morning, I bumped into Rabbi Scholar, who shared a story that taught him one of secrets in running any type of successful chesed organization. He was once sitting with Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach, with whom, as mentioned, he would often seek counsel on a host of halachic and hashkafic questions. By the end of this meeting, the aged gaon needed some rest. As his guest was leaving, Rav Shlomo Zalman said, “All these shailos, all the money you need to raise, all the stresses of its operation are worth it for just one child”.

      Rabbi Scholar shared that he could not fully grasp his meaning. Surely one is not obligated to build camps, events, etc. for just one choleh!

     He then shared, “It was only later when I finally I comprehended his full intent. He was teaching me how each camper, each child, every program, each ‘warrior’ should feel as if he/she is our sole focus. So individualized should each chesed be that not only will no child’s needs be ignored, but they -each and every one them -that the campus was built just for him/her!”

     Relating to Chai/Simcha, the dictum of ‘kol hamosif goreah‘ applies.

Klal yisroel continues to teach the world -and multi-national organizations -how chesed is performed, how a truly dedicated staff sacrifices, and how sincere volunteers act.

    Most saliently, we must learn how all those involved in all of the above daven for the end of their need; a time when the sefer harefuos will be returned to us (a book with all cures, that was hidden by Chizkiya -see Berachos 10b with Bava Kama 85a).

   May that day come soon.