Chabad celebrated Friendship Circle volunteers

The Jean Fischman Charade Center of the Five Towns recognized its Friendship circle teenage volunteers for their year round work at the sixth annual volunteer recognition dinner at Chabad in Cedarhurst on June 4.

Weekly home visits to children with special needs, Sunday Circle drop offs, helping with holiday events and the weekly Judaica Circle program are part of the volunteer efforts.

Friendship Circle helps special needs children and their families and involved them in a variety of social and Jewish experiences.

In addition to acknowledging the volunteers, there were also presentations by a mother and a volunteer, who both told of how Friendship Circle has positively affected their lives. Accomplished professional boxer Dmitry Salita, who is an observant Jew, shared his life stories.

“When the children get picked up and I see their faces filled with joy and a grin from ear to ear, I know that we are doing the right thing,” said Rabbi Zalman Wolowik, Chabad’s executive director.