COMMUNITY NEWS

Benefit helps spread cancer awareness

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Folks from throughout Bellmore-Merrick celebrated stories of survival and service at Circle of Hope’s “Journey for a Purpose” benefit for individuals coping with breast cancer and other illnesses last week.

On Dec. 9, Circle of Hope, a nonprofit organization organized by Chabad of Bellmore-Merrick-Wantagh, hosted its annual gala at the Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst. At the dinner, a number of residents were honored for the strength they displayed in battling a disease or their efforts to help those in need.

Melanie Rubin, a Merokean who grew up in Bellmore, received the Survivor Award. Rubin received two diagnoses of breast cancer in 2006 and 2007. She has counseled new patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, spoken several times at the Bellmore-Merrick Relay for Life and shared her story of survival at the Binghamton Chabad Fashion for a Cure event in 2013.


Sheri Fisch, also of Merrick, received the Community Service Award. Fisch has been the leader and instructor of Circle of Hope’s Cooking for Hope program, which allows local teenagers to get together and learn to make wholesome dishes. Circle of Hope volunteers then drop off the kosher meals for people in need.

Other teen and adult volunteers involved in Cooking for Hope were also recognized at the benefit, which featured dinner and entertainment for the hundreds of attendees. Jill Shackner of “Les Misérables” was the special guest singer, and there was a fashion show.

This is the third time that Circle of Hope held Journey for a Purpose. The group, headquartered in Suite 209 at 2174 Hewlett Ave. in Merrick, provides emotional support and hands-on assistance by organizing support groups, health seminars and makeup lessons, in addition to providing meals, financial assistance and a wig bank. All services are free and confidential.

For questions about Circle of Hope, call Michele Moscovitz at (516) 833-3057 or go to CircleofHope@ChabadJewishLife.org.