As one performs an act of hesed, it has a domino effect, as one good deed leads to another. Recently, Magen David Yeshivah (MDY) held a tremendous basketball/dodgeball tournament to help raise the funds needed for the Torah School for Special Children. With such a superb turnout, and with the excitement it generated, the end result produced many acts of generosity and kindness.
MDY students perform these acts of hesed on a regular basis. With this in mind, parent Randi Levy recruited her son Nissim and his friends, and made a spiritual visit to the students at the Torah School for Special Children, a school that focuses on the needs of Jewish children born with Down syndrome. The boys were so overtaken by the school, they wanted to do more. It became apparent that this school was in desperate need of money. The boys came up with the idea of a basketball/dodgeball tournament to raise funds for the school.
“I felt like something meaningful had to be done to help these children. The most touching moment was seeing the students working together, and watching the volunteers, who did it from their heart,” said Randi Levy.
With the blessing of MDY principal Rabbi Baruch Hilsenrath and Magen David’s president Eddie Esses, Randi Levy went forward with organizing the tournament. Randi then teamed up with Ikey Yedid, the afterschool athletic director and Natalie Serure, community relations director, to organize and perfect the evening. A tournament was organized for 5th through 8th grade boys and girls for both dodgeand basketball. Randi Levy’s contagious energy was evident as she went from class to class teaching the children the importance of performing hesed, and how much this school would benefit and appreciate their help. There was 100% participation. The children all donated their free time. Students collected money, put teams together and helped run the night.
“Magen David Yeshivah educates not only the mind, but the heart and soul. We so appreciate the inspiration that Mr. and Mrs. Levy have brought as they educate,” said Rabbi Hilsenrath.
The children truly enjoyed the evening from start to finish. Pizza, sushi and delicious desserts (graciously donated from Chantilly) were devoured by all! After the tournaments, Rabbi Yaakov Ben Haim addressed the students, “We are all winners for all the hesed performed. The greatest hesed in the world is helping others learn Torah.”
The winners of the tournaments were announced and raffles were drawn. But the evening could not have happened without the driving force of Randi and Joey Levy, who along with their families and friends, donated all of the prizes and trophies. When the evening ended, the students raised enough funds to keep the school open for another year!
In addition, they would like to thank: Rabbi Hilsenrath, for his guidance, approval and hands-on assistance during the event and Rabbi David Sultan and Rabbi Rosenzweig, for all of their help as well. A special thank you to David Shamah and his custodial staff, Al and the entire security staff, Rachel Kassin, for her help with admissions, and Eddie Mizrahi, for assisting in the raffles.
Thank you to Ikey Yedid for running the 7th and 8th grade basketball tournament, with help from: Ike (Spike) Dweck, Mark Franco, Jack M. Beyda, Sammy Fallas, Joey Kameo, Sammy Tawil, Jonathan Smouha, Max Yedid and Solly Dweck. Congratulations to the winners in the 7th grade: Mathew Cohen, Eddie Nissim, E. Z. Sardar, Master Hirsch, and 8th grade winners: Elie Mamiye, Albert Malach, David Dahab and Jack Schimil.
Special thanks to Joyce Cohen Haddad and Linda Nissim (girls’ basketball coach) and to Mr. Goodman for organizing and assisting in the girls’ dodgeball and basketball tournaments. Thank you to all the high school volunteers and teachers, who gave of themselves for this worthy cause, but most importantly, thank you to the students who played, and who participated in collecting money, making teams and encouraging everyone to contribute for the sake of others.
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Randi Shomer is a community member, mother of four children, and a freelance writer for IMAGE Magazine.
