Mattan Basseter and its three principal members, Aslan Bawabeh, Elias (Eli) Levy and Itzchak (Zaki) Sardar were recently honored with the Keter Shem Tov Award by The Yeshiva of Manhattan Beach.
Mattan Basseter, which literally translates as “gift giving in secrecy,” is a fitting description for this charitable organization, which works tirelessly and without fanfare to help needy Sephardic families. Donors and recipients are concealed from one another, said by our Sages to be the highest level of charitable giving.
Its predecessor organization originated in Syria four decades ago, continued its work in Israel and was involved with all phases of Jewish communal life. Here in the United States, Mattan Basseter focuses on placing children in yeshivot, providing weddings for Kallot (brides), and donating food coupons for the poor before holidays such as Pesach and Sukkot. Every dollar raised goes in full measure to helping needy families, and members of the organization work as volunteers, L’Shem Shamayim.
Born in Aleppo, Syria, in 1946 to Selim and Simha Bawabeh, Aslan was one of 14 siblings. From early in his life, Aslan was a firm believer in Jewish education. After graduating high school he attended the Talmud Torah, where he studied under the supervision of Rabbi Yom Tob Yedid. In 1980 he and his wife Mira immigrated to the United States where they settled in Brooklyn. Twelve years ago, concerned with the high number of children who were not attending yeshivot because of high tuition prices, he started fundraising efforts, placing one child at a time into community yeshivot all around Brooklyn. From a few children, the numbers have grown to over 400. He says, “The Yeshiva of Manhattan Beach has helped bring many of these children back to Judaism.”
Elias Levy was born in Aleppo, to a distinguished rabbinic family. He has been active in Mattan Basseter and its predecessor organization from its inception. In 1980, Mr. Levy and family members daringly and clandestinely escaped their birth-country into Turkey. “My story is no different from the experiences of many other Jews from Aleppo,” he says modestly. After a short stay in Turkey his family gratefully reached Israel, where he established a jewelry business. Mr. Levy moved to Brooklyn in 1987 and established a business. He also helps organize conventions featuring prominent Sephardic leaders, rabbis and business people in major cities throughout the world.
Rabbi Itzchak E. Sardar was born in Aleppo to a family of shochatim. His father was a rabbi, and his brother was the Chief Rabbi of Aleppo. He served from 1972-1992 as Head of the Talmud Torah in Aleppo as well as the Gabai (a person who assists in the running of a synagogue) in the synagogue. “I’ve been involved with Jewish education my whole life. In Aleppo the school was free. When members of the community came to New York from Aleppo and Damascus, many were poor and couldn’t afford the costs of yeshivah tuition. At Mattan Basseter we saw the need for involvement in this manner. Now we help the whole community, not just newcomers.”
“We are proud to say that Mattan Basseter has a close working relationship with the Yeshiva of Manhattan Beach,” stated Jerry Greenwald, President of the Yeshiva, “and we are especially proud to recognize the wonderful work of this organization and the three men who have succeeded in helping so many in our community.”
Yeshiva of Manhattan Beach is building the future, one child at a time, by providing a superior educational program in limudei kodesh and general studies with mastery in Irvrit b’ivrit for our boys and girls in pre-school through grade 8.
They are growing quickly and in response to community needs, they are opening an additional pre-1A and first grade. Registration for the fall term has begun for 2008-2009. They offer free Universal Pre-K. Preschool hours: 9 am to 4 pm. Grades 1 – 8: 8:20 am to 4:15 pm and afterschool clubs from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. For more information or registration information call (718) 743-5511.
