EXPERIENCE MATTERS FOR OAKLAND COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT Source Of Hope At Camp Simcha, children with cancer gain new enthusiasm for life. Paul J. Fischer • 17 year Member of the Michigan State Bar 'A- 7 years as an Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor A Staff Attorney, Judicial Tenure Commission 'A 8 years with Hyman & Lippitt practicing complex commercial litigation, appellate law, and family law -A Attorney Discipline Board Hearing Panelist SUSAN TAWIL Special to the Jewish News , T he campers were waiting to leave on their field trip, when one of the counselors got into an argument with the camp director about the transportation. "Whaddaya want? Limos?" the direc- tor asked scornfully. "Yeah!" said the counselor defiantly. "NX7e want limos! We want limos!" The kids rallied and took up the chant. The director was beside himself. As the argument escalated and the chanting grew in volume, suddenly — from over the hill — 10 stretch limos pulled into the camp lot, greeted by amazed cheers and whoops of joy. The staged argument and exciting conclusion reflects some of what Camp Simcha is about — pure, indulgent summer fun. Situated on 125 pristine lakefront acres near the New York/Pennsylvania Catskill Mountains, the children's camp offers woodworking, pottery, swimming, boating, arts and crafts, music, photography and a host of field trips and special activities — all completely free to the campers' families. But Camp Simcha is something more: it's a camp for Jewish kids with cancer. The camp, nondenominational but kosher, began 12 years ago with eight campers. It now services about 100 youngsters, aged 4- 1/2 to 20, in each of two, three-week sessions. They come from across the country and also Israel, Europe and the former Soviet Union, with transportation paid by the camp. This summer, seven of the campers will be Detroiters. Besides canoes, carnival games and nature trails, Camp Simcha also has an on-site clinic, ambulance and Medivac helicopter pad. A staff of oncologists, pediatric nurses and social workers pro- vide full medical support for campers; the camper-counselor ratio is 1:1. Camp Simcha is a project of Chai Lifeline, a charitable organization that For information or to donate to Chai Lifeline/Camp Simcha, contact Rabbi Goldberg at (248) 358-0154 or (248) 355-9551. Dr. Jason and Pearlena Bodzin helps cancer-stricken Jewish children. With the motto, "Fighting Illness with Love," Chai Lifeline also offers the chil- dren trips to Disney World, family retreats and support groups; home and hospital-bound tutorial programs and teleconferencing; toy drives; and blood and bone marrow drives. According to volunteer coordinator Jeffrey Bell of Oak Park, when the chil- dren arrive for camp, they are "emotion- ally devastated." "Coming to Camp Simcha complete- ly reverses their attitude," he says. "It gives them a renewed sense of hope and enables them to fight for their lives." Camp Director Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg of Young Israel of Southfield is in his ninth year at the camp. Rabbi Goldberg, a black belt in karate, started a program called "Kids Kicking Cancer." Using karate, Tai Chi, visualization and meditation, Rabbi Goldberg helps the children cope with pain, nausea and fear. "It gets them beyond their pain. It has a profound influence on them," he says. "The camp program is tailor-made for each child," he continues. "It gives them enthusiasm and the will to live. My job is to make sure the kids have a good time." On June 19, a parlor meeting to sup- port Camp Simcha was held in the Franklin home of Herb and Babs Kaufman. Dr. Jason and Pearlena Bodzin of Southfield were honored with the Circle of Love Award. "At Camp Simcha, -there is love and attention everywhere," says Dr. Bodzin. David Techner, funeral director at Ira Kaufman Chapel in Southfield and the hosts' son-in-law, received the Circle of Love Award last year. As a specialist in bereavement counseling for children, he enthusiastically supports the camp. "If you ever feel down, get on a plane and go see the attitude of the kids there," he says. "Kids are having fun that, till they got there, they thought they never would have again." ❑ RATED OUTSTANDING THE OAKLAND COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION L/0 SUPPORTED BY: • • • • Hon. Martin M. Doctoroff Hon. Russell F. Etheridge Hon. Donald F. Fracassi Hon. Benjamin Friedman • Hon. Hilda R. Gage • Hon. Harold Hood • Hon. Kimberly Small www.electpauljfischer.com Poid for by the Committee to Elect Paul J. Fischer Bill Nagler, M.D. www.dietresults.com Lose weight with Injections Medical Acupuncture Appointments/Mail Order 734.422.8040 16311 Middlebelt, Livonia PARTNER Only Carrier features Puron®, the environmentally sound refrigerant. 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