16 | JUNE 30 • 2022
“They could be talking about
COVID or maybe obesity
or maybe even cancer, but
actually the No. 1 public
health crisis is loneliness.
One in three of us is actually
lonely.”
After urging attendees to
turn toward each other and
smile, despite being masked,
she then reiterated a Heroes
Circle principal tenet: “You
are not alone, so turn to your
neighbor and say, ‘Thank
you for being here.’”
She also acknowledged
the generosity of the Jewish
Fund and its Teen Board
members for making the
event possible.
Following Lazarus’
remarks, students gathered
on stage to receive either
a belt or a certificate of
participation. The youngest
recipient, 4-year-old Heila
Benjamin of Southfield,
earned her yellow belt while
her parents, Simcha and
Levi, along with big sister
Ayelet, 6, looking on.
“This is our first real,
in-person event because
we joined during COVID,”
Simcha, 27, explains.
“So, it’s exciting. Heila
is doing really well, and
I don’t know if she really
understands everything
because she’s 4, but she’s
excited to participate.”
Levi added how grateful
the family is for Heroes
Circle programming since
it was the only available
outlet for his family while
they dealt with pediatric
oncologists and treatment
regimens needed after their
younger daughter fell ill.
“We got the diagnosis
about three weeks after
COVID, so we were pretty
much homebound for
over a year, and the only
program that was available
for her was through Kids
Kicking Cancer,” Levi says.
“Through Zoom classes once
a week and all sorts of other
activities, including things
for the adults, too, they really
make you feel that you aren’t
alone.”
Another participating
family included Bayla and
Sruly Berman of Oak Park,
whose older child, 7-year-old
Zevi — who is not sick but
has a younger brother with a
genetic disorder — was there
to receive his first belt. The
Bermans enrolled their older
son as a way to give him “an
outlet” to receive special
attention.
“Heroes Circle allowed
us to concentrate on all the
ABOVE: The Jewish Fund Teen Board was recognized for its
generous gift of more than $13,000 to help offset the cost of this
year’s Belting Ceremony.
BELOW: Master of Ceremonies Lila Lazurus, who also serves as
president of the Heroes Circle, presents certificates of participation to
the award attendees.
continued from page 14
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