larger than life USA - a non profit organization for Israeli children battling cancer

First Gala benefit in Montreal - Canada - November, 2009

Over 350 people arrived to the first gala benefit of Larger Than Life in Montreal, Canada on November 22, 2009. Linda Balass chaired the gala with a team of devoted volunteers who worked diligently to insure the success of the event, from finding the venue and the show "Educating Rita", planning the cocktail reception, soliciting items for the auction and making sure that every little detail was handled with care and attention. Vered and Yoram Elron, the Consul General of Israel in Montreal welcomed everyone, and shared their personal story about their son who battle cancer for the last few years.

2009 5K Run/Walk with Dor Chadash

Dor Chadadh organized a successful 5K Run/Walk with Larger Than Life On October 2009 at Riverside Park, Manhattan.

Despite the rain and cold, many people woke up early, ran, walked, volunteered and most importantly: had fun!

$10,000 were raised to benefit the programs of Larger Than Life, supporting children in Israel who are battling cancer, as well as their families. We Thank the staff and the volunteers of Dor Chadash for a wonderful partnership.

Larger Than Life Exp Expands ands to Montreal

The Jewish community in Montreal has embraced Larger Than Life and is already up and running planning its first event. A group of volunteers is busy organizing its first fundraising event, with many more to follow. According to Linda Balass, the area president, this will be an important event that will teach the younger generation to donate and share. Each and every activity we undertake help contribute to another child and another family in need. It is a blessing to succeed in supporting and cheering up these children.

Super Summer Camp - July, 2009

One hundred children aged 9-18 enjoyed a free of charge happy week at our summer camp in northern Israel which took place July 5-9, 2009. The children participated in many activities at this sleep-away-camp and were cared for by a dedicated medical and nursing staff. They all had a great time playing challenging sports, paragliding, taking field trips and much more. Every night, the group watched live performances by Israel's best celebrity artists.

Dream Trip to Orlando - March, 2008
Published in Yediot America, March, 2008 - By Moshe Yamin, Orlando

The children of Larger Than Life, a nonprofit organization, enjoyed themselves in Orlando and looked like dreamers. Each and every one of them had their dream fulfilled as they spent two weeks of happiness at Disney World. They forgot for the time being their daily pain and the difficulties of their illness�cancer.
The children had an opportunity to visit NASA�s Kennedy Space Center, Sea World, Animal Kingdom, and other exciting locales. Eran Rozen, the group�s director in Israel, told Yediot Aharonot about the children�s marvelous behavior, and of the incredible trip they experienced thanks to Larger Than Life. Idan Madmon, 18 years old, a leukemia patient from Kfar Saba, excitedly admitted to the organization�s staffers, the people who accompanied the children to Orlando, and the volunteers who made their dream come true: �They treated us with respect. We enjoyed every moment, the adventures were fun and we tried to live each moment to its fullest.�

First Gala benefit in New York - March, 2009

Earlier this past March, 350 guests attended the first annual Larger Than Life Gala Benefit at New York City�s Tavern on the Green in Central Park.

The festivities commenced with a cocktail reception and a silent auction, followed by dinner and entertainment. We honored Dr. Shulamit Katzman, founding member and volunteer for over six years, and Gila Almagor, the first lady of Israeli stage and film. Many guests arrived to honor Dr. Katzman and her family. Our Master of Ceremonies, Mike Burstyn, kicked the evening off in fine style, followed by greetings from Asaf Shariv, Consul General of Israel in New York. Shalva Berti, Israeli opera and soul singer, gave us the pleasure of some of her world-renowned songs. Avi Cohen and Oren Heiman led the live action. Last but not least, the after-party featured a unique fashion show. Stav Alon Korpel and Tal Bibi, both age 12, arrived with their mothers from Israel to tell their inspiring stories of fighting and beating cancer.

Laptops for Hospitals - September, 2008

We want to share with you the Thank You letters we have received from 3 hospitals in Israel: Rambam Medical Center, Soroka and Bnai-Zion.
As promised, we purchased laptops for kids hospitalized in these hospitals that have pediatric oncology departments.
It really warm the hearts to see the smile on the kids' faces!!
It's a great and rewarding cause. (Click here to see Thank You Letter)

Girls Night - March, 2008

A group of fifty women from Bergen County, New Jersey, most of them from Tenafly, celebrated a ladies night in a Disiak, a bar in west Manhattan. The event was organized by the real estate agent Orna Jackson, who also used this event as a fundraiser for Larger than Life. Anat Erez, who manages and co-owns the bar, knows Jackson, and was happy to support this great cause. Sangria and wine were offered, along with the entertainment program; a belly dancer who pleased the girls and a fortune teller who told them about their future.

Valentine Day - February, 2008

On Thursday morning a group of twenty women from Tenafly and Cresskill, New Jersey, gathered in a Valentine�s Day event, hosted by Shlomit Mahlef in her house in Closter. Shlomit introduced the girls to the Syrian cuisine, in which she specializes. Additionally, they heard a brief presentation about the activities of the organization, and prepared two recipes from the Syrian traditional food.

Outdoor Event - June, 2008

An outdoor festival was sponsored and organized by friends and volunteers of Larger Than Life in NJ. People were invited for dessert, a free Pilates class and shopping. There were vendors to include Jewelry, handbags, accessories and more. The evening�s proceeds were used to purchase 10 laptop computers for sick children with cancer, many of whom endure long hospital stays. We donated the computers for the following hospitals in Israel: 4 computers � Rambam Hospital in Haifa, 3 computers � Bnei-Zion Hospital in Haifa, and 3 computers to Soroka Hospital in Beer-Sheva.

Tevel Club - February, 2008

Larger Than Life USA were invited to present the organization�s mission and activities in Tevel Angel Club.
The event took place at the Harvard Club in Manhattan.
The participants were high-technology entrepreneurs, potential investors and donors.
Dr. Shulamit Katzman, Director, arrived from Florida especially for the event.
In the picture: Netta Nathaniel, Executive Director, Asaf Shariv, General Consul of Israel, and Dr. Shulamit Katzman, Director in Larger Than Life USA

Read our newsletter 2009