Multiple tournaments were run on a recent cloudy Sunday to raise money for Gesher Yehuda, a community school founded 14 years ago by Claude and Jack Setton for children with learning differences. Each student is provided with an individual education in order to learn at his or her own pace. The school gives children the opportunity to develop their self-esteem and confidence, and move past any learning obstacles that might hinder them.
Co-presidents Michael Cayre and Alan Maleh work very hard with Claude and Jack Setton, who remained very much involved over the years. Staff members are of the highest caliber and their great love for what they’re doing shows through the special way they treat each child with respect.
The main basketball and tennis events were hosted at Sara and Ruby Azrak’s house. Abie Cohen, Marc Dweck, Joe Kassin, Maurice Schmool and Eric Setton ran the boys’ high school basketball tournaments. Senior division champions included Ralph Cohen, Isaac Pardes, Raymond Tawil and Albert Zayat. MVP was awarded to Jackie Tawil and the 3-point shot winner was Mourad Kattan.
Jack Cattan and Jacob Setton helped Abie, Marc, Joe and Eric run the junior division for boys’ basketball. Winners were Marc Betesh, Aaron Cabasso, Eli Dayan and Ezra Kassin. Saulie Tawil received MVP.
Morris Dweck organized the senior and junior divisions of the tennis tournaments. He and Melissa Schemo triumphantly brought home the gold after defeating Juliette Chraime and Marc Dweck. Winners of the tennis junior games were Louie Bildiricci and Cynthia Haddad who held out against competitors Danielle Cohen and Joyce Dweck.
Over 150 men participated in the softball tournament, organized by Steven Gindi and Alan Maleh. First place winners were Max Sutton’s team, sponsored by Sitt Asset Management and second place went to Jason Cohen’s team, sponsored by Middlegate Securities.
Grace E. Cayre and Robby Setton arranged the post-high school bowling tournament on a Sunday night, which had over 100 participants. There was a “make-your-own-muffin” station displaying muffin tops and all sorts of fun toppings like sprinkles, frosting and M&Ms. Team T-shirts were distributed, along with baseball caps that were perfect for the rainy weather the next day. Tournament winners were Sammy Dabah, Mandy Dweck, Sarine Dweck and David Tabush.
The hundreds of community members who partook in the Gesher tournaments enjoyed themselves immensely and are ready for next year’s. Coordinators are already planning and anticipate just as large a crowd, if not larger, next summer.
To see more photos visit Imageusa.com
____________________
Yvonne Harari is a graduate of Brooklyn College and Allegra Franco Sephardic Women’s College.
