There is a new family in town, and it has introduced a wonderful new program to the Yeshivah of Flatbush. Dr. Susan Gardin came to New York from Detroit, where she was the National Program Director of Kids Kicking Cancer (KKC). Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, a black belt karate teacher, founded KKC following his experiences while serving as the director of Camp Simcha, a haven for children with serious illnesses.

Rabbi Goldberg, who lost his first child to cancer, noticed that the children he introduced to karate developed inner strength that helped them cope with their illnesses, and even helped improve the degree of pain they experienced. He decided to dedicate himself to spreading his insights and tools, and KKC now works with 1,500 children in many hospitals around the nation.

When Dr. Gardin came to New York, she enrolled her daughter Margot in YOF Joel Braverman High School, and immediately saw a great opportunity to involve YOF students with one of the KKC programs—the Heroes' Circle Martial Arts Program. KKC has been seeing that its programs are empowering not only to sick children, but also to young people going through the normal stresses of school and adolescence.

Working with Associate Principal Jill Sanders, Dean of Students Rabbi Naftali Besser and faculty member Rachel Winkler, the high school organized a program where approximately 60 freshman and sophomore boys were taught the martial arts/Aikido concepts of discipline, focus and stress management. Dr Gardin remarked that she has never seen a program move so quickly from the planning stage to fruition.

In this pilot program, two classes were taught by Robin Hardbattle, a third degree black belt with 20 years of martial arts/Aikido experience. The YOF students were given an introduction to the Heroes' Circle program explaining how it has been geared toward helping children fighting cancer, and they looked forward to participating in the joint ceremony with the children from Maimonides.

The YOF Heroes made great progress throughout the program, but they got to learn even more from the Maimonides Medical Center Heroes. Dr. Garden explained, “When a child is diagnosed with cancer, there are natural feelings of fear, anxiety and a loss of control over their lives. Cancer patients who are part of the Heroes' Circle are taught to use their spirits—through breathing, meditation, and understanding the power of light —to gain control and to bring about peace. The Kids Kicking Cancer program involves the patient in a partnership toward healing. The concept is that cancer patients can be ‘Victors, Not Victims' over the pain and fear that they must endure during their treatment.”

At the “Amazing and Powerful Martial Arts Demonstration and Awards Ceremony,” the words “Peace, Power, Purpose” rang out on the stage as both YOF and Maimonides Heroes presented their karate moves to a supportive audience consisting of the families of the Heroes as well as many YOF students and friends.

Rabbi Besser expressed pride and joy in seeing children inspiring children, and spoke of the value of one community joining another in turning a danger into an opportunity.

Many people contributed to the success of the night's celebration. Dr. Gardin thanked the Ladies Auxiliary, particularly President Ami Sasson and High School Liaison Thea Fattal, for their support. She thanked her daughter Margot, junior Charlie Schrem, and the KKC and Maimonides faculty and staff. Dinner was donated by Bagel Hole, Seuda, and Isaac's Bakery.

Kids Kicking Cancer founder Rabbi Goldberg was welcomed by the crowd with a standing ovation. He stated, “We don't always know what script will be written for us in life, but when we respond to this script with greatness, we enlighten the world.”

Written by: Renee Beyda and Diane Chabbott