New Jersey Shluchim Get Together For Family Fun Day

This Sunday, nearly 300 children of shluchim in New Jersey enjoyed a Family Fun Day, specially designed for them by the Chabad of NJ Mental Health Initiative.

New Jersey may be a geographically-small state, but it packs a lot of punch with regard to the sheves achaim gam yachad of the 100 shluchim-families who call this state their makom hashlichus.

This Sunday, nearly 300 children enjoyed a Family Fun Day specially designed for them by the Chabad of NJ Mental Health Initiative. “Children contribute so much to the success of shlichus,” said Rabbi Mendy Herson, Associate Dean of the Rabbinical College of America, “which is why it is so worthwhile that they have a day dedicated to them, a day for them to be celebrated and pampered. Their strength is our strength.”

The Fun Day took place in the beautiful facilities of Friendship Circle, Livingston, hosted by Rabbi Zalman and Toba Leah Grossbaum, Rabbi Yisroel and Chavi Rosenblum and Rabbi Levi and Esty Grossbaum. A delicious barbecue was served along with special activities which included sports, arts and crafts, inflatables, and a petting zoo to accommodate children of all ages. The energy was palpable as all the children recited the 12 Pesukim, and Tehillim.

The MHI is subsidized by a NJ state grant to the Rabbinical College/Chabad of NJ, with the goal of providing leadership training, workshops and support to promote mental health awareness. Rabbi Moshe Herson expressed gratefulness to the State and primarily to Senator Richard Codey for their dedicated support.

Amongst the grateful feedback from the parents describing how their children didn’t want the day to end, one Bubby-shlucha wrote, “This Bubby was having so much fun she didn’t want to leave! Thank you for a vareme day together. It really does feel like we’re all coming together like the one mishpocha that we actually truly are…”

Special thanks to Rabbi Moshe & Zeesy Grossbaum, and Rabbi Moishe & Mushkie Gurevitz for coordinating this event.