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

OUR COMMUNITY
ON THE COVER

