At Jeremy’s Circle, every event begins long before the children arrive.
Behind each day of fun, each camp activity, each moment of laughter, and each opportunity for a child to simply be a child, there is thoughtful planning, careful coordination, and a deep understanding of what families coping with cancer truly need.
That is why we are so happy to welcome May Barzilai as Jeremy’s Circle’s new Events Manager.
May first joined Jeremy’s Circle as a volunteer in March 2025, after seeing a Facebook post about the organization. She had been looking for a meaningful way to give to others, with no expectation of anything in return. When she read about Jeremy’s Circle, she says she immediately knew this was where she wanted to be.
A few months later, in July, May served as a counselor at Camp Jeremy, wanting to get to know the children more deeply and to be a meaningful presence in their lives. During five unforgettable days at camp, she says the children became like younger brothers and sisters to her. She was especially moved by the meaningful conversations she had with children and teens, and by the reminder that sometimes what they need most is a safe place to share, laugh, and feel seen.
In her new role, May will help bring Jeremy’s Circle programs to life — from the behind-the-scenes planning that makes events possible, to developing new project ideas, coordinating activities, and helping create more moments of joy for children and families facing cancer in their young families.
For our member families, this means more thoughtful, well-run experiences designed with your children in mind.
For our donors and supporters, it means that your generosity is being translated into real, meaningful moments: a child smiling at camp, a teen finding someone who understands, a family feeling less alone.
May officially began her role in October 2025, shortly after her own father was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Looking back, she says she now understands how deeply connected her decision to volunteer with Jeremy’s Circle was to what life would later bring her.
“When I found myself experiencing this reality up close,” May shares, “I understood more deeply how much children need experiential spaces, and the feeling that they are allowed to be children even within the complexity.”
That understanding is at the heart of how May approaches her work.
“My goal,” she says, “is to create the best events possible, bring joy to our children and families, and help expand awareness of Jeremy’s Circle so we can preserve and grow our community.”
Before joining Jeremy’s Circle in a professional capacity, May completed her military service and then served for approximately six months in reserve duty as a communications NCO in Battalion 869 on the Lebanese border. She describes this role, particularly during wartime, as a formative experience that strengthened her independence, responsibility, and ability to act under pressure.
May also brings with her a belief that reflects so much of Jeremy’s Circle’s work:
“I believe that a little humor within a serious reality does not take away from its weight. It simply makes it more bearable.”
We are grateful to have May on the Jeremy’s Circle team. Her sensitivity, creativity, personal understanding, and commitment will help us continue building the spaces our children and teens need — spaces filled with connection, laughter, strength, and hope.
Welcome, May!
