The annual Walk4FriendshipLA will be held at Shalhevet this Sunday, moving the popular group’s annual fundraiser from Rancho Park to the school parking lot in hopes of getting more people to the event.

Event organizers are also bringing 8^th Day, an American Hasidic pop rock band that produced “Ya’alili,” a hit song released in 2011, and a post-walk carnival will feature everything from a t-shirt personalizing booth to a giant slide to a mechanical bull, a puppy party, and bungee jumping.

A volunteer-based, non-profit organization, the Friendship Circle provides programming and support for special needs children and their families.

Every year, at least some activities are Jewish-related, said event organizer Gail Rollman. This year, it will also feature a Rosh Hashanah festival, with a photo booth to make cards with pictures to send to relatives, as well as a visit from the Shofar Factory, which will give a demonstration on how a shofar is made.

The group has been collaborating with Mrs. Sarah Leah Gormin, Shalhevet’s new chesed director, to create volunteer opportunities for Shalhevet students.

Ms. Rollman she expects the number of participants in this year’s walk to increase from about 500 last year to about 1,000.

“We are hoping that even more people will come out because of 8^th Day and the new venue,” Gail said.

The walk is Friendship Circle’s only fundraiser and makes it possible for all of the organization’s programs are heavily subsidized or free, according to Rabbi Michy Ravnoy, director of Friendship Circle of Los Angeles.

He said the walk also united people from across the Jewish spectrum, secular to Haredi.

“It’s our biggest fundraiser and also our biggest friend-raiser,” Rabb Ravnoy said.

For families involved, it’s an opportunity to thank the organization.

“It’s amazing for us to be able to show how important the Friendship Circle is,” said Miriam Mark, a mother of a boy with special needs who participates in the group’s programming.

Senior Yael Marcus, who has not attended before, said she’d be there this year.

“It’s in my school, so I feel like our school has to show that we’re there and we’re participating in the walk,” Yael said.

In addition to inflatables and a concert, both of which were not allowed at Rancho Park, the walk celebration will feature music by Surli D Music and IZZy D jaY, life size games such as Connect 4, a barbeque, and a Naked juice truck concession stand.

Registration will start at 1:30pm, and the walk, which will begin and end at school and circle the area, will start at 3. When the walkers return at 3:45 p.m, a barbeque and carnival will begin and last until 6 p.m.

By Maayan Waldman, Co-Editor-in-Chief

The annual Walk4FriendshipLA will be held at Shalhevet this Sunday, moving the popular group’s annual fundraiser from Rancho Park to the school parking lot in hopes of getting more people to the event.

Event organizers are also bringing 8^th Day, an American Hasidic pop rock band that produced “Ya’alili,” a hit song released in 2011, and a post-walk carnival will feature everything from a t-shirt personalizing booth to a giant slide to a mechanical bull, a puppy party, and bungee jumping.

A volunteer-based, non-profit organization, the Friendship Circle provides programming and support for special needs children and their families.

Every year, at least some activities are Jewish-related, said event organizer Gail Rollman. This year, it will also feature a Rosh Hashanah festival, with a photo booth to make cards with pictures to send to relatives, as well as a visit from the Shofar Factory, which will give a demonstration on how a shofar is made.

The group has been collaborating with Mrs. Sarah Leah Gormin, Shalhevet’s new chesed director, to create volunteer opportunities for Shalhevet students.

Ms. Rollman she expects the number of participants in this year’s walk to increase from about 500 last year to about 1,000.

“We are hoping that even more people will come out because of 8^th Day and the new venue,” Gail said.

The walk is Friendship Circle’s only fundraiser and makes it possible for all of the organization’s programs are heavily subsidized or free, according to Rabbi Michy Ravnoy, director of Friendship Circle of Los Angeles.

He said the walk also united people from across the Jewish spectrum, secular to Haredi.

“It’s our biggest fundraiser and also our biggest friend-raiser,” Rabb Ravnoy said.

For families involved, it’s an opportunity to thank the organization.

“It’s amazing for us to be able to show how important the Friendship Circle is,” said Miriam Mark, a mother of a boy with special needs who participates in the group’s programming.

Senior Yael Marcus, who has not attended before, said she’d be there this year.

“It’s in my school, so I feel like our school has to show that we’re there and we’re participating in the walk,” Yael said.

In addition to inflatables and a concert, both of which were not allowed at Rancho Park, the walk celebration will feature music by Surli D Music and IZZy D jaY, life size games such as Connect 4, a barbeque, and a Naked juice truck concession stand.

Registration will start at 1:30pm, and the walk, which will begin and end at school and circle the area, will start at 3. When the walkers return at 3:45 p.m, a barbeque and carnival will begin and last until 6 p.m.