The terrorist strikes perpetrated on September 11, 2001 impacted all New Yorkers. They were particularly painful for Brooklyn’s Jewish Syrian community, because that morning, Eli Chalouh A”H, a young Syrian Jew, woke up, went to work, and never returned. He was working at the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, in the World Trade Center—he was only 23 years old. Eli left behind his parents, siblings, and a legacy of kindness, dedication, and perseverance.
Eli graduated from Magen David Yeshivah High School in 1996. Associate Principal Esther Tokater, along with a number of Eli’s classmates, many of whom are parents of current MDY students, organized a hesed event in his honor, on the 18th anniversary of the attacks.
The class of 96 invited representatives from many community organizations that are near and dear to their hearts. They, and current MDY students, committed to fulfilling Eli’s legacy of kindness by doing hesed projects for the organizations, in his name.
Alumnus Albert Nigri, father of freshman Rosie Nigri, kicked off the event with an emotional speech in which he shared high school memories of Eli. He said Eli treated others with kindness and was always willing to help his classmates. Albert recalled Eli’s arrival from Syria, at the age of 14, and the language and cultural barriers he overcame to succeed in the United States. Eli seemed to be living the American dream, until his life was tragically cut short.
After Mr. Nigri’s speech, the audience was inspired to participate in hesed activities. Raquel Haber, mother of MDY senior Gabriel Haber, Jamie Waingort, (my mother) and mother of freshman Emily, and Marcy Franco, mother of senior Morris Franco organized a group to cook for the SBH Food Pantry. The crew prepared and packaged mazza, which was delivered to Sephardic Bikur Holim, that evening.
Albert Salama, father of freshman Ninette and junior Jacques, introduced students to Bonei Olam, an organization that helps couples achieve their dream of parenthood. Students were so moved by the work that the organization does, they committed to do mitzvot in honor of families faced with fertility challenges. They wrote notes to the families, describing the commitment they were taking on in their honor, and telling them that they’re praying for them to achieve their dreams.
Albert Nigri and Alan Nasar, father of sophomore Sarah, and senior Joel, helped students put together care packages to be distributed to Hatzalah volunteers. The packages included snacks and letters of encouragement and appreciation for our heroic, first responders.
Morris Cattan, father of junior Diane Cattan, helped students design sweatshirts for the orphans of Bet Elazraki, in Israel. Students drew original designs which Mr. Cattan will turn into actual sweatshirts, and personally deliver to the orphanage in Israel this spring.
Richie Chalme, father of sophomore Jamie and senior Robyn, demonstrated the important role music plays in healing, explaining that he uses music when he visits the elderly and the sick.
Sally Smouha, mother of junior Marc and freshman Abraham, and Sally Franco, mother of sophomore Allegra, invited a number of community seniors citizens to the event. They were delighted to go head-to-head with the students in a few intense rounds of Bingo.
In addition, MDY was honored to host members of the Chalouh family, including Eli’s sister Sarah, his aunt, and nephew. Eli’s nephew remarked that entering a school that he was not familiar with, seeing dozens of students he never encountered, doing hesed in memory of an uncle he never met, was a truly remarkable feeling. He was excited to meet his uncle’s classmates, who could share stories about him.
Walking around the building, and seeing classroom upon classroom filled with students doing hesed, was truly inspiring and certainly elevated the neshama (soul) of Eli Chalouh A”H.
Doing hesed is a beautiful way to honor someone you love and ensure his/her legacy will endure for years to come.
