The clouds may have been out, but there was no raining on this parade. A jolt of positive sunny energy was humming within, from the sunny color scheme to the yellow orchids; it was simply paradise on Avenue K at Barkai Yeshivah’s Annual Bake Sale, which took place at the home of Mandy and Michael Cohen. The house was buzzing from nine in the morning until way after school buses took over the side streets.
This year’s event was recession-friendly and featured auction packages that went no higher than $35. The Chinese Auction included portraits, place settings, beautiful jewelry and children’s toys. Not only did the bake sale have the usual cakes, cookies and challah, but if you chose to, you could stay for lunch and leave at your leisure knowing that there were dinners to go—appetizers, pastas, pizzas, salads, fish and rice dishes. Food came in by the baker’s dozen, leaving the volunteers from the package room exhausted from packing and snacking.
Numerous bakers showed off their creative culinary skills with beautifully decorated cakes, mini-tortes and cupcakes with blasts of color (putting Duncan Hines to shame).
Not only was there a huge selection on the selling table, but in the back room, featured guest speakers gave the crowd lots of food for thought. Ricky Cohen gave an inspirational talk about the economic crisis, and how it’s actually a time for opportunity. Mr. Cohen stated, “Barkai is the educational jewel of the community. It has achieved more in nine short years than any Jewish educational institution in history.”
Dr. Simcha Cohen spoke about keeping one’s children in the know with the family finances. He related how balance is important: as parents, we shouldn’t hide financial trouble from our kids; however, we should limit the details to be age-appropriate so as not to cause unnecessary fear.
The afternoon was filled with amazing talents. Renee Safti did makeup applications using E.L.F. brand cosmetics donated by Joey Shama, proving that it doesn’t have to be MAC to look fabulous.
Personal stylist, Jennifer Dayan, gave helpful hints on dressing from day to night, simply by switching a belt, necklace, a pin or jacket. She explained how taking inventory of your closet can work to your benefit.
Lila Delilah of Madison-AvenueSpy.com dished the secrets of finding great deals at luxury boutiques and department stores. She reviewed a top 10 list of the who, what, where and when, including how to discern the merits of an inventory clearance sale from a marked-up sample sale.
The bake sale also debuted a vintage boutique sale. Thanks to all the wonderful donations—not a Prada or a Valentino bag had a chance to sit on the viewing shelf long. Sunglasses, throws, scarves, sterling silver plates, Limoges and artwork were all scooped up by the day’s end and a silent auction was held on a magnificent lamp, donated by Marlene Bibi.
A great thanks to Nava Beyda, who was chairperson running the event. Thank you to Lauren Mishaan and Joyce Haddad for the displays; Claire Shammah, Chani Bailey, Yael Sassoon and Sarah Sultan for their help as cashiers; and Natalie Ammar and Aileen Ades for their help in the packaging room. And what would we do without Sharon Dweck and Marjorie Salem for the great set up and clean up? Thank you to all the bakers, volunteers and attendees for making it a great success. We thank Michael and Mandy Cohen for hosting this wonderful event.
All in all, the day began and ended with winners.
