by Mike Caputo
That's because the group's work dress code comprises red foam noses, bright-striped shirts and gigantic floppy shoes. "Schnookums," leads a clown squad of 13 teens in a holiday mission to cheer up Israelis in unfortunate situations.
"Schnookums," the stage name for Woodmere resident Dr. Neal Goldberg, a clinical psychologist who created Compassionate Clown Alley, Inc., a two-fold effort to bring joy. The organization's mission is two-fold because it fulfills happiness for both the people in need and the volunteers who provide the smiles.
"I kept thinking on how you build teens up and give them some sort of spark and inspiration to live more efficiently," Goldberg said. "So, you just try to think of ways of protecting head and heart together."
The psychologist's brainstorming led to the creation of the name Lev Leytzan, the group that makes the annual trip to Israel. In Hebrew, Lev Leytzan translates to the "heart of a clown." Goldberg explained the importance of developing life skills to the teen volunteers, especially to those who may not have athletic or artistic talents and interests.
"I was looking for a way of creating a meaningful kind [of activity] to use their creativity and their own personalities, as opposed to something more competitive, like sports," Goldberg said.
Beyond the trip, Compassionate Clown Alley, Inc. is a year-round organization that incorporates intense training and various forms of community outreach. There are more than 40 teenagers involved in the organizations, which acts as an after-school and weekend extracurricular activity. Students come from both private and public schools primarily from the Five Towns, Queens and Brooklyn.
To partake in the organization, the teens must work through six months of clown training. Medical experts teach the teens about medical conditions and medical hygiene, while also explaining psychology of humor and illness.
On the yearly trip to Israel, which takes place during Chanukah, Lev Leytzan brings its laughter and companionship to hospitals, orphanages and low-income areas. The group also distributes over $60,000 in toys to its needy audience, courtesy of its partnership with the Ossie Schonfeld Memorial Toy Fund and Chayenu. The Ossie Schonfeld Memorial Toy Fund is headed by Robert Schonfeld, who created the charity organization in memory of his father. He accompanies Goldberg on the trip to Israel.
During its visit, Lev Leytzan plans to visit Hadassah Hospital, Alyn Children's Hospital, the Tel Hashomer Medical Center, Tzfat, the ultra-religious communities of Bnei Brak and Meah Shearim and three orphanages.
As Goldberg makes his fourth trip to Israel with Lev Leytzan, he looks forward to the hard work and bonding that comes along with it.
"It is an insane trip -- 17 hours a day on a bus with everybody," Goldberg said. "It is awesomely insane."
After the trip to Israel, Compassionate Clown Alley, Inc. focuses on its clown and circus shows and fire safety events, in conjunction with the Ronald McDonald House, for children with disabilities.
But beyond helping the sick and the poor, Goldberg emphasized the impact Compassionate Clown Alley, Inc. has on the teen volunteers.
"We put a lot into growing the kids individually into their unique abilities so that we are trying to teach them real skills for communicating, to break out of their shells and to learn to deal with illness," Goldberg said.
Comments about this story? Mcaputo@liherald.com or 516-569-4000 ext. 210.
