Councilman Chaim Deutsch recently gathered with NYPD brass, community leaders, and members of the Shomrim Society, the organization of Jewish police officers in the NYPD, to co-name West 12th Street and Surf Avenue in Coney Island Leon Fox Way, in memory and to honor the legacy of NYPD Police Officer Leon Fox. Officer Fox was the first Jewish officer to be killed in the line of duty serving New York City.
Officer Fox, while assigned to the NYPD’s 60th Precinct, was shot and killed while pursuing three robbery suspects—78 years ago. When Officer Albert Mammon told Councilman Deutsch Leon’s tragic story, Deutsch’s response was “We must recognize, honor and remember Officer Fox, he was a hero, it is our duty to do so.”
Before the ceremony could take place, Councilman Deutsch wanted to track down Leon’s living relatives. Using NYPD pension records, he successfully tracked down Leon’s only son, Gerald Fox, a movie producer living in Hollywood.
The Councilman told Gerald and his wife Linda that he would love to honor his father’s memory with a street renaming. Gerald was extremely grateful and immediately planned for the momentous event, traveling 2,700 miles across the country to attend the ceremony in his father’s memory.
The event was packed with community members, elected officials, and NYPD brass, including NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Tucker, Commissioner Bob Ganley, Lieutenant Ira Jablonsky from community affairs and police officers from across Brooklyn. David Heskiel, NYPD Clergy Liaison and special community liaison to Councilman Deutsch was also in attendance, as was Officer Albert Mammon who recited Kaddish in memory of Officer Fox.
A special guest got up to speak, 92 year old Leo Katz. He spoke fondly about Leon, reminiscing about the times Leon would watch over him and his friends in school, when he was a kid. Leon would make sure they left home safely and arrived where they were going safely. Katz told everyone that Leon was the friendliest cop that he has ever met in his lifetime, and that he left an everlasting impression on him.
Thank you to Councilman Deutsch and the NYPD for once again keeping their promise to never forget their fallen officers and their family members.
What do you want most for your children? If you are like most parents, your answer will probably mimic what community parents said when SAFE asked them that very question. They did not mention academic intellect or worldly or material accomplishments. Instead, SAFE found that most parents hoped for their child to be a good and happy person. They used words such as honesty, self-efficacy, purpose, kindness, confidence, empathy and self-love to describe what they want for their children’s future. In summation, we don’t want our children to be depressed or anxious, we want more than that—we want them to flourish.
Lucky for us, research in the field of positive psychology has shown that these kinds of traits and behaviors can be taught; moreover, they should be taught. While 50% of our happiness is genetic, 10% is due to external circumstances and a huge 40% of our happiness is determined by our intentional thoughts, behavior and actions. We can control our well-being, and at SAFE, we want to share that power with our youth. Meet Cynthia Kassin, SAFE’s new Director of Community Education. Cynthia is overseeing the strategic innovation of The Project Safe School Program and bringing in cutting-edge practices focused on positive youth development. Both SAFE and Cynthia recognize that, as a community, our greatest responsibility is to the next generation. We need to prepare those who come after us with the best social and emotional skills to take on the many challenges of an ever-changing world.
With a BA in child development and happiness from NYU Gallatin, and an MA in Psychology from Pace University, Cynthia is the ideal choice for this new role at SAFE. She completed two years as a teaching assistant at NYU in their immensely popular Science of happiness class and taught an elective at Flatbush HS on the same subject. She was a SAFE teacher, as well. As Cynthia joins the Project SAFE team, she plans to bring more to the students in terms of fostering a lifelong foundation for their overall happiness and well being.
Since 2003, SAFE has been working diligently to educate our youth on the threat of addiction and the necessary life skills that will guard them against life’s challenges. Each week, in a supportive peer forum lead by a SAFE trained teacher, SAFE class gives students a time in their school day to voice their thoughts and questions about everything from personal and social dilemmas to the challenges and anxieties that may arise growing up in our community.
Cynthia plans to further SAFE’s commitment to educate and care for our community’s future generation through updating and revising the content and approach of Project SAFE’s school curriculum, training an incredible group of Project SAFE teachers in the philosophies of positive psychology, and inviting parents and students to collaborate in the classroom. So, what exactly is positive psychology and how can it help our students not only survive, but also thrive? Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life worth living. Using specific practices, interventions and tools, this branch of psychology gives us insight into the practical contributors to our happiness. Studies show that simple techniques, such as keeping a gratitude journal or counting one’s blessings, can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Flow, or the ability to lose oneself in a positive passion, is another promotion technique that SAFE seeks to encourage, by planning a teen version of the annual summer FARM event, where young adults come together to share music, art and creative expression.
Additionally, Project Safe believes that educating students about adolescent brain growth, sleep, hygiene, mindfulness, and emotional awareness and understanding provides a beautiful opportunity to build our future generation’s resilience, confidence, and self-efficacy so that they will better respond to inevitable challenges.
As Project SAFE moves forward with its exciting improvements, Cynthia acknowledges that while research has finally provided practical tools for living a happy life, our Torah has always been a permanent and pervasive base of these positive psychology teachings. We have a commandment in our Torah to be happy, as is written Vesamachta bechagecha, and our Torah is filled with examples of practices for well-being, such as expressing gratitude every day in prayer. Everything we are learning from research can be found somewhere in Judaism, and Cynthia’s constant aspiration for Project SAFE is to blend the two.
It is our job, as a community of parents, teachers, rabbis, coaches, and other leaders, to help our students not just survive, but also thrive. Cynthia’s willingness to learn from others, as well as her knowledge and interest in the brain development of adolescents, informs her passion for community education and youth advocacy. Blending her passion for guiding our youth and the study of happiness, she hopes to introduce and implement new techniques to our school systems so that our youth have the best resources in order to grow into confident, capable, self-actualized adults. SAFE welcomes her to the team and looks forward to an exciting school year with much in store for our students.
For more information on Project Safe or to volunteer with the School Program, please email Cynthia at cynthia@thesafefoundation.org. For general questions or information about SAFE please email us at ask@thesafeoundation.org or follow us on Instagram @thesafefoundation. If you or a loved one needs help, please call our confidential hotline: (718) GET-SAFE.
Congregation Shaare Tefilah (Eatontown Shul) of Whalepond Road recently marked a special milestone, when the newly-formed Ladies Auxiliary, led by Odette Tebele, hosted their very first event. The hugely successful Bingo Night brought over 200 women together for an evening of fun and festivities, complete with Bingo prizes, as well as numerous door prizes. The participants consisted of year-round residents and summer visitors, members of the Eatontown Shul and every other shul at the Jersey Shore, ranging in age from teenagers to great-grandmothers, proving that Bingo is for everyone! Some women took the opportunity to participate with their extended families, while others got a group of friends together for a girl’s night out.
Less than a month after the formation of the Ladies Auxiliary, three dynamic and energetic volunteers took it upon themselves to spearhead the kickoff event. Danielle Brown, Joy Assoulin, and Margo Braha set the bar for Eatontown Shul’s events very high indeed. They took care of every detail, including securing donations for prizes, supplying refreshments including wine, and running the games.
Shul President Albert Antebi said, “Over the years, the Eatontown Shul has had amazing growth and we felt that the Ladies Auxiliary would inspire the women in our community to organize events for the families of our community. We are excited and confident that this is the start of more amazing events to come!”
The committee hopes to enhance the shul’s activities and create an increased sense of community. Upcoming programs will include pre-holiday Shabbat dinners, couples events, and card tournaments. The youth minyan, classes for men and women, and special holiday events will also reap benefits through the committee’s activities.
Congregation Rabbi Moshe Douek had this to say: “When our shul was first established, it had a small congregation. Everyone lived on the same few blocks. Everyone knew each other. It was like a large family. Over the years, the shul has grown exponentially, with the neighborhood gradually spreading out to include a much larger geographic area. Young families are moving in from out of town, and families from the greater Deal area are joining our Shul. It’s a beautiful thing, with a drawback. The members of our shul often don’t know one another. The men come to shul on Shabbat and have an opportunity to meet there. The women often don’t have that opportunity. We wanted to do something to bring them together. Last year we hosted a lovely Shabbat dinner for our new members. It was a great event that introduced neighbors to one another, and was the springboard for many new friendships. The Ladies Auxiliary is another way to unite the members of our shul, and help them feel like one big family again—a really big family.”
The Bingo event surpassed expectations, requiring additional tables to be added numerous times. The enthusiasm from the community was so encouraging to the committee, they cannot wait to bring you their next event. Keep an eye out for what is sure to be a host of amazing events from this motivated group of women. If you would like to join the committee, please contact Jennifer at the shul office at (732) 272-1143.
RBG—The Story of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
PROPEL had the pleasure of co-sponsoring an event at the JCC in Deal, along with the NJ Shore Film Festival. We featured the documentary RBG—The Story of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This inspiring documentary about 86-year-old Ruth Bader Ginsburg, by Betsy West and Julie Cohen and co-produced by Storyville Films and CNN Films, describes the life of a woman raising a family with her devoted husband while fighting for women’s equal rights and then rising to be supreme court justice.
Over fifty men and women gathered at the JCC for wine and cheese and to watch this documentary about a strong, Jewish woman leader. We are grateful to Gem Suslovich, who monitored an interesting talk-back at the end of the movie. Gem reminded the audience that all women can relate to the story of RBG. It is the story of working hard to achieve goals, making a difference in the world, and remaining loyal to your family.
Ruth Bader was born in Brooklyn. Her father was a Jewish immigrant from Ukraine and her mother was born in New York to Austrian Jewish parents. While attending Cornell University, she met her husband Martin Ginsberg at the age of 17. In 1956, she enrolled in Harvard Law School—one of nine women in a class with 500 men. Justice Ginsburg is a prominent legal figure, but she is also a wife, a mother and a grandmother. Her granddaughter, who recently graduated from Harvard Law School, affectionately refers to her as her “Bubbie.”
The movie describes a beautiful and supportive marriage between Martin and Ruth. Their relationship allowed for both professional and personal successes. RBG can be credited with being a champion of women’s rights in the work place. Many of her cases were ground breaking, and resulted in changing the paradigm for working women in this country. The movie also depicted the friendship between Justice Ruth Ginsburg and Justice Anton Scalia. Although they shared very different views, they had great respect and admiration for one another.
A special thank you to Marcy Feldman and Steven and Esther Doueck for helping to coordinate this event.
Vision Mapping with Alice Chera
PROPEL also hosted Alice Chera, in Bradley Beach, for an inspiring vision mapping session with a group of women. It was truly a motivating afternoon, as women of all ages created their own vision boards—each telling a story that represented her individuality, her accomplishments and her aspirations.
Bradley Beach is always a sentimental setting for our community. This historical beach town represents a simpler, less complicated time, and it always evokes a happy feeling in its visitors.
We are extremely thankful to Alice Chera, a certified career coach, who is always encouraging women to be the best that they can be. Alice is a true role model for women and it is always a pleasure hearing her words of wisdom. Many women who have attend a vision mapping program have followed up with PROPEL to pursue their professional goals.
Coming Soon
We look forward to hosting additional PROPEL events this summer, including a panel discussion in New Jersey with women with various careers, including photographers, a nurse, a teacher, a yoga instructor, a pastry chef and a custom designer.
Follow PROPEL on Instagram @PropelNetwork to find out information about upcoming PROPEL programs and events.
If you are interested in a career, please reach out to PROPEL. We can help you fulfill your professional goal. Call 646-494-0822 or email info@thepropelnetwork.org.q
I recently had the honor of taking part in a life-changing trip to Africa, facilitated by the dedicated staff at the Sephardic Community Center. I was part of a group of young adults who raised funds to provide clean water for the village of Bumayi, Uganda. In conjunction with the Israeli charity, Innovation Africa, we worked to install a solar powered pump to extract water from aquifers beneath the ground, so the people who live there could enjoy clean water.
We were greeted by hundreds of men, women and children with bare feet and big smiles, singing Mwene dala asangala khubakeni basangale, which translates to “let the happiness our guests came with stay with them when they exit.” This reminded me of Debarim 28:6, “You shall be blessed when you come, and you shall be blessed when you depart.”
On our mission, we visited three towns. The first, Tororo, had an abysmal water supply, and nearly no aid. The second, Bumayi, was where we were bringing the technology—it also had a horrific water source—that they would never have to use again, and the third, Bukalikha, has had a clean water supply for some time. Each of these towns greeted us with cheers and songs.
While walking in the first town, I was exposed to the bareness of sub-Saharan Africa. The ground was covered with stems and branches, and the heat of the sun must have made it scorching hot. My Reeboks protected my feet, but next to me people walked barefoot. This made me thankful for shoes.
After seeing the contamination and dangerous water source of the first town, we saw the same at the second. The difference being, we brought a solution to Bumayi. Thanks to miraculous Israeli technology, we brought life-saving, thirst-quenching, sanitary water. The villagers could not have been more thankful.
Our first stop in Bumayi was their former water source; it was oozing algae. Three women were elected to tell us about it. One woman described how scorpions and snakes lurking in the water would scare her off, and she would often go home without water. Another woman told us that her husband was always angry that she would take so long to get the water, however it was the third woman who moved me. On her back was her child. After affirming everything the other two women said, she turned her child around and showed us his back. Sadly, it was covered in boils, pimples, and rashes, which came from being washed with the contaminated water. She then fell to her knees. A sign of maximum thanks, according to our translator, and praised us for bringing clean water.
In front of us was this woman, on her knees, grateful to us. Sure, bringing a village in need of clean water the technology they so badly needed, was nice, but to the point of kneeling before us? I didn’t know what to think. Was she overestimating the gravity of what we brought? Was I underestimating the same? The truth was that I underestimated how our water project would help the villagers. This woman would be able to wash her children with clean water, which would make them healthier. Our help would better her children’s lives, which is priceless.
Later, we celebrated and turned on the water pump. There was more singing and dancing. I showed a little boy that he could drink directly from the new water source, an idea that was clearly foreign to him. For the first time he drank running water.
The following day we visited Lwaboba Day School. The walls of the classrooms were deteriorating, much like the books and paper they had. So, they were thrilled to learn that we brought them desks, and we helped install solar panels to provide the school with power. We brought them light, which illuminated more than the classrooms—every face in the room was lit up with joy.
Leading up to my trip, and even following it, people asked me, why Uganda? Joey Tawil, the Center’s CEO, explained: “Charity begins at home, but it doesn’t end there.” I had a more personal reason. In my graduation address at the Yeshivah of Flatbush, I wished for my fellow graduates to go out and change their world. When a unique opportunity to change the world came along, I seized it. I did my best to improve the impoverished lives of the villagers in Uganda.
Our words are never chosen lightly. Children who need extra attention, help and love are known worldwide as “special,” but this does not only refer to their requirements and needs. We call them special because they are. Each smile, belly laugh, hug and achievement, no matter how large or small, touches our hearts, and is, yes—truly special.
The morning of July 7th was beautiful for the Special Children’s Center event at Rina and Ely Cohen’s home in Deal, NJ. The stage was set for these incredible children to dance—strong and proud—for a fashion show showcasing not clothing, but the joy inside each child’s heart. The kids were excited! They chose any outfit from any store they wanted. They had hair and makeup done, picked their favorite songs, and received gifts at the end of the runway, like a cherry on a sundae.
I moderated, as the crowd cheered them on, one after another, but when beautiful Joyce spontaneously broke away from her dance to hug me with more love and gratitude than I’ve ever felt, I knew why I agreed to this. Everything the Special Children’s Center does is worthwhile and necessary, in more ways than we understand.
The amazing Yaakov Shwekey powerfully kicked off the event singing our new song, “I am Alive,” recorded in Times Square and dedicated to DJ Cohen A”H, a true hero, gone way too soon. It was a day to be grateful, and to thank Hashem. Being alive is a gift; it’s all in the way we look at things. Music from The Greatest Showman filled the yard with magnificent energy, and the show began.
The beautiful Emily did back bends and splits for the crowd, little Jack danced to “Baby Shark,” and Chezky blew out candles on a giant three tier birthday cake made especially for him by DJ Cohen’s wife, Alexis. Lovely Joyce got crowned a real princess and Olivia—once a camper but now a staff member (hooray!)—received a plaque for all her efforts.
Ana looked sweet and stunning, melting our hearts with every turn, and for the finale, Miri, red-headed and gorgeous, announced her wish to go to Disney World. As the Center is often in the business of making dreams come true, Mickey and Minnie appeared on-stage with a giant check, sparking magical excitement and bringing the entire audience to their feet.
Rabbi Eli Mansour then introduced Harry Adjmi to begin the fundraising, and reminded us that the real heroes are the super moms and dads that are dealing with this challenge. He said, “Behind every special child there are very special parents.”
I met Jenine, Chaya and Richie Dweck years ago, when the Special Children’s Center was just a seedling. Today, the Center hosts over 400 children across three locations, including Lakewood’s state-of-the-art campus, covering six square miles, generously donated by the town to these kids. The Center is an essential respite for these families, bringing fun into the kids’ lives and sending them home bathed and fed.
Chaya Bender explained, “Today, kids who shared early beginnings with the Center are getting older. Elliot Tawil has led the charge to prepare them for the future, and Hashem sent Stanley Chera to make these new dreams possible. Stanley envisioned a brand new campus with room for it all, and G-d bless our donors, and Alex Adjmi for his building expertise, we’ll soon have 30,000 square feet of new space, being designed by the amazing Margalit Lankry Designs.
Our newest venture is the Lillian and Sol Goldman Training Center Café, where our special needs adults will have opportunities to test their skills at bookkeeping, inventory, stocking and serving. There will also be 13 new classrooms and therapy rooms, in addition to our running programs:
After school Program:
24/7 Center House
Sunday Program
Legal Holiday Program
Summer Camp Program
Integrated Daycare 0-5 years
The Center Preschool
Adult Daycare
Residential/Group Home Services
Advocacy and Case Management
Max Harari Disney World Trip
Jenine Shwekey added, “We are constantly amazed at what these kids are capable of. So many are musically inclined. With this in mind, we introduce the Adele Hanover Music Center. The main goal at all times is to make sure every Center child feels loved and accepted. They have so much goodness inside them. Days on-stage, like these, help them remember that they are beautiful, inside and out.”
As a community we’re unique. We’re there for each other unapologetically, the hesed we perform knows no bounds, and the volunteers that line up for every cause are endless. We’d like to thank our hosts, Rina and Ely Cohen and their amazing daughter Nancy Haddad. Of course, the incredible Norma Cohen, Norma Safdieh, Audrey Dweck, and Ricky Esses Music, among so many others. Yvette Cohen, for spearheading the fashion show, Alice Hedaya and Reisa Betesh; Coquette Kids, Lil’ Swimmas, Vanilla Sky and My Getup for clothing; Ronit Maleh and Carolyn Dayon: makeup, Aimee Barnathan and Evelyn Anteby: hair, and of course, our donors, volunteers and everyone who cheered us on for a fashion show featuring laughter and smiles, and everything that makes the Center special.
To donate or volunteer please call Chaya Bender (732) 367-0099.
If this event is like last year’s, fans and supporters are in for a great night of music and Izzy’s Smokehouse BBQ, as rapper-turned Chassidic star, Nissim Black, performs on the Jersey Shore, on Thursday July 18th, to raise money for Jerusalem-based charity: Pantry Packers. The organization offers a popular volunteer experience, which has become one of the most talked about volunteer activities, especially for bar/bat mitzvah projects. It’s run by Colel Chabad, the oldest continuously operating network of social services in Israel, established in 1788. Hundreds of families, who want to help those in need, have partnered with the organization.
To celebrate his bar mitzvah, Jack Hamui ran an online food drive through Pantry Packers for the needy, and raised over $700 for the Jerusalem charity (giveback.pantrypackers.org). The family was welcomed to Pantry Packers on a recent trip to Israel, where Jack was honored to hang his plaque of recognition on the simcha wall, joining the growing list of bar and bat mitzvah celebration partners.
The family also packed 250 bags of food, distributed to the needy all around the country. The volunteer experience has become a must on Israel itineraries, with family members of all ages able to help give back to others in a fun and meaningful way.
Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are a very special time in the lives of young adults, but can be emotional and challenging for those who have lost a loved one. That’s why Colel Chabad and the Chessed Menachem Mendel program work tirelessly, and spare no expense, when they make their annual simcha, for over a hundred bar-mitzvah aged orphans, one full of joy and love.
“When it comes to celebrating happy occasions, it is a challenge for those who have lost a parent, and it is often a comfort to be alongside others who have experienced similar loss,” explained Rabbi Sholom Duchman, Director of Colel Chabad.
At the recent celebration in Jerusalem, David Edelstein, David Shaab and Joey Savdie were among the honored guests, as 120 boys, most of whom had lost their fathers, received their tallit and tefillin and aliya l’torah at the Kotel, followed by a gala celebration.
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“It feels good to do something for these kids who have lost so much,” said David Edelstein. “They are our brothers and sisters and we have to take care of them.”
Joey Savdie marveled at all the help that Colel Chabad offers, including day care centers, schools, hospitals, and social workers. “It’s amazing,” he said, adding, “It’s not a small little charity; Colel Chabad does so many things.”
“The breadth of what Colel Chabad does, not just for these boys, but for their families and the community is inspiring,” said Maurice Ades, who attended with his 13 yea old son, Ness. “I think it is so important for children to see what it means to give to others.”
Colel Chabad works year-round to help more than 10,800 needy families in 48 municipalities through a series of projects designed to provide nutritious food and staples.
Partnering with Israel’s Ministry of Welfare, Colel Chabad manages Israel’s National Food Security Program, helping families with not only food and basic necessities, but also with health and budgeting programs to help dig themselves out of poverty.
A visit to the Beis Finger Rehabilitation Center was one of the highlights of the recent Chesed Mission lead by Rabbi Naftali Besser of Yeshivah of Flatbush. Located in the center of Jerusalem, the facility is home to 35 young residents suffering from multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders, offering them a place to thrive and contribute to the betterment of their lives and the community.
“It means so much to see how Pantry Packers isn’t just a one-time experience for the global Jewish community, and especially for our supporters in New York,” said Director of Volunteering, Rabbi Menachem Traxler. “All of our volunteers have dedicated themselves to the cause of helping others and feeding the poor, and it’s a testament to the values of this community. We look forward to seeing them back with Nissim at the Jersey Shore this summer!”
To find out more about Pantry Packers and for tickets to the concert visit pantrypackers.org/deal.
Sam saved his brother’s life. It was a typical Friday night. As Sam’s family sat around their Shabbat table, none of them could have expected what was to come.
The meal was enjoyable, with good laughs, great conversation and even better food. After a long week of work and school, it was great to be able to relax together and catch up.
As the night progressed, the younger boys went to the basement to play while Sam and his parents moved over to the den for dessert. Suddenly, as the cake plates were being passed around, one of the boys burst into the den. With a look of panic in his eyes, and a tremor in his voice, he managed to get out two words: “Louie’s choking.”
For a split second, everyone froze, both shocked and confused. They raced downstairs, and there was Louie, their 7 year old son, hunched over, beet red, and totally unable to breathe. Panic filled the room. Louie’s parents were hysterical.
That’s when Sam stepped in. Upon entering the room, and comprehending within the chaos what was going, he immediately stepped behind his younger brother and began to perform the Heimlich Maneuver. Continually thrusting on Louie’s stomach with all of his strength, Sam prayed for a miracle.
A few seconds later, though it seemed like light years for everyone present, a bright white sucking candy shot out of Louie’s mouth, across the room. He quickly regained his breathing, and soon after, the color returned to his face.
The room was silent. Everyone just stared at Sam and Louie, in utter disbelief. His parents were in shock. No one was able to get a word out, except for Sam, who simply stated, “I knew what to do thanks to Blink.”
A few days later, in front of an auditorium full of seniors in Flatbush High School, preparing to take Blink’s two hour CPR course, Sam shared this story with them. He said, “No one warned us that this was going to happen on Friday night. No one told us that Louie was going to choke. It just happened. And thank G-d I knew what to do because of this program that you’re about to take. I was sitting in your chair two years ago, contemplating whether to take this course seriously or not, along with the rest of my classmates. Thank G-d I made the right decision, because it saved my brother’s life.”
Sam’s story is Blink’s 43rd save story since its inception in 2014. Parents have saved their infants, children have saved their aging parents, and countless years have been added to the lives of the people who were saved—all thanks to some simple life-saving knowledge, and basic training.
In just 5 years, Blink has trained over 8,000 community members to save lives, using CPR, and the results have been incredible.
This summer, Blink will hold its 5th Annual Blink Week, a string of standalone CPR classes open to the community for free, in Brooklyn and Deal. These classes are extremely intimate, they’re broken down into small groups with dedicated instructors to ensure that everyone leaves with full confidence. All of the night classes are open to men and women, fully separate with gender-appropriate instructors. The day classes are open to women only.
All you need to do is come to one 90 minute class. If you’ve taken the class before, come again—it never hurts to take a refresher course to practice your skills. If you’ve yet to take a class, what are you waiting for?
We pray that we’ll never need to use these skills, but it’s much better to know how to perform CPR and never need to use it, than to be there when someone needs CPR and not know how to do it.
Hatzalah can generally get where they need to be within 2 minutes, however, those first 120 seconds before they arrive are often the difference between life and death.
Whether it’s a heart attack, someone choking, or lifted from the bottom of a pool, resuscitation must begin immediately.
If it’s your brother or sister, an aunt or uncle, a father or mother, or your very own child, those few seconds feel like a lifetime—especially when you’re waiting helplessly for assistance to arrive.
Thanks to Blink there are so many stories that are similar to Sam’s. Here’s Vivian’s story.
Vivian’s Story
Vivian saved her baby nephew. Her nine month old nephew was sitting in his highchair in her kitchen. His baby-sitter was feeding him rice and beans. Everything seemed fine. A few minutes passed, then Vivian heard her nephew let out a slight cough. She had a feeling that something wasn’t right, so she unstrapped the baby from the highchair. Suddenly, his face started turning purple—he was choking on his lunch.
Vivian laid him across her arm and started giving him back blows. With every blow, she became increasingly fearful that her nephew had tried to swallow way too much. His face was getting more purple by the second. As tears rolled down her face, Vivian continued to give it her all, fearing the worst but praying for the best. Finally, a full clump of rice and beans came shooting out of his mouth and he began to breathe again.
Vivian had taken one of Blink’s summer classes two years earlier, and that afternoon she used the training to save her nephew’s life.
Dave’s Story
David was watching his campers in the pool as they splashed around. A few of them were racing from end to end, while others were trying to see how long they could hold their breath underwater. Benny (his name has been changed for anonymity) was excellent at that game, and David knew it, so he watched to see if he could top his own record. David waited for Benny to pop up and take a breath, but he didn’t. He was underwater for a long time. He wasn’t that good!
David realized something was wrong, and as he was ready to jump in, he noticed Benny’s body begin to float to the top of the water, his face pale, lips purple, still as can be.
David immediately jumped in, dragged Benny out, and began CPR. He pounded his fists into Benny’s chest and tried his hardest to breathe life into his lifeless camper. Within two minutes, David felt Benny’s body begin to move again and he started to spit up water. Hatzalah soon arrived and took over from there.
That night at the hospital, the paramedics asked David what had transpired in those few minutes before they arrived. After describing the traumatic events, the paramedic said, “You saved the boy’s life. Had you not done what you did, he most likely would not have made it.” Thank G-d, Benny made a full recovery, and was back in camp just a few days later.
David called Blink the next day to say, “Thank you. I saved a boy yesterday with the training you gave me—just one week ago.”
Saving someone’s life is one of the greatest things you can do. Should someone stop breathing in front of you, be like Sam, Vivian and David. Have a happy story to tell afterwards. Had they not taken the time to learn CPR, those stories could have ended very differently.
Cheers to the champions! In addition to our academic accolades, this year, Ilan students joined numerous extra-curricular clubs and competitions, and came out on top, carrying home multiple awards! A number of students participated in a nationwide writing contest sponsored by the Better Together organization, a program that focuses on engendering relationships between students and senior citizens. Throughout the year, students in our Better Together Club have been cultivating bonds with their adopted seniors, visiting them weekly and hosting them in Ilan each month for an afternoon of friendship, food and fun. The competition—a culmination of this year long project—encouraged high school students to write about their experiences visiting the elderly and how their lives were enriched from the experience.
Our very own Lana Kishk, junior, won first place nationally! She wrote an incredibly moving piece, entitled “To Give is To Get,” in which she describes the relationship she built with a neighbor, who is also a survivor of the Holocaust. She credits this connection as her inspiration and impetus to open an interstate medical supply gemach, enabling seniors to access medical equipment that may have otherwise been inaccessible for them. At our final Better Together luncheon, Lana received her medal and award, and read her essay to the crowd. She encouraged her peers to believe in their ability to make a difference and change the world, one step at a time. Lana is using her prize to participate in a summer program in Israel, while Ilan hopes to further expand our Better Together program, enabling us to continue giving back to the seniors in our community.
Another area where Ilan talent was incredibly evident was in the nationwide Fritz Ascher Society High School Competition. Students were invited to submit an essay, poem or artwork that reflected the life of Fritz Ascher, a German Jewish poet and artist, as well as a survivor of the Holocaust.
Michal Braha, a Junior at Ilan, took home the second place prize with her magnificent drawing that depicted a young girl in Nazi Germany. The picture symbolizes both the persecution of the Jews throughout history, as well as their eternal strength and resilience. The opened book above the girl’s head represents the Torah that empowers us, and enables us to triumph over suffering. The shadow that crosses the girl’s face divides the light and dark, conveying the idea that it’s up to each individual to search for the light or succumb to the dark. The swastika is on the darkened side of her face, but the girl has the ability to turn and get a glimpse of the light behind it, signifying her rising hope. Last, the colorful shirt she wears expresses her anticipation of a brighter future.
In Michal’s words, “At the suggestion of my AP art teacher, I submitted my painting to the expressionist competition, never expecting to win, but life is full of surprises and miracles! It’s so gratifying and liberating to share a message through art. I encourage everyone to look inside themselves and share their G-d-given gifts with the people they love!”
Ilan continued their winning streak, at the 2019 CIJE Innovation Day, where our STEM students were granted the opportunity to showcase the skills, knowledge, and creativity that they had learned and developed this past year, by designing and creating a solution to an everyday problem. More than 1,300 students from 41 schools joined, displaying a total of 478 projects.
From the three innovations that Ilan debuted at the event, the Boiler Bot caught the eye of the judges. The Boiler Bot is a reconstructed boiler room with a water sensor. If a pipe begins to leak, the sensor detects the water and sets off a buzzer alerting the homeowner in a timely manner. This project, created by freshmen Sarah Esses and Jessica Shabayev, won second place for The CIJE Award for Excellence in Eco-Innovation!
Mrs. Leah Freifeld, STEM teacher at Ilan, attributes the win to the girls’ “excellent teamwork, constant positivity, and ambitious effort, which met with remarkable success.”
We could have been content with these awards, but Ilan wasn’t ready to stop just yet! After months of preparation, Ilan’s debate team was finally ready to put their skills to the test. Our girls headed to Elizabeth, NJ, to debate whether or not the US Federal Government should remove all references to G-d from government property and literature. The girls were separated into pairs, and placed on either the affirmative or negative side. Despite the fierce competition among the twenty four participating schools, Ilan took home the third place prize for best team and captain, Jessica Zemble, senior, was awarded third place for best debater! She credits Ilan for her win, expressing, “I am so grateful to Ilan for providing me with the opportunity to lead my team to victory. I have gained confidence from both preparing and presenting my arguments, as well as leadership skills, and learning what it means to be a real team player.”
We are proud of our students who continue to hone their talents and make their mark on the world around them, sharing their gifts with others, and giving back to the community. Our girls gain so much in the process, as it is indeed true, “To give is to get.”
Afew weeks ago, I had the privilege and opportunity to accompany the Young Sephardic Leadership Club of Magen David Yeshivah High School to Washington DC. We have visited the capital on several lobbying missions; this time we were there to get a first-hand, behind-the-scenes look at how our country is run!
Our first stop of the day was the White House, where we were met by our friend, Journalist Jake Turx, who gave us a comprehensive, guided tour of the East Wing. He works in the West Wing, as a White House correspondent, so he knows the layout of the building well. The boys were very excited to learn about the fascinating history of the White House, and to see the magnificent ornate rooms.
After the tour, we went right next door to the Treasury Building, where we had a meeting with Mitchell Silk, the Deputy Treasury Secretary, who is a religious Jew! He’s fluent in Chinese and leads the administration’s trade talks with China. He took us around the building, and showed us the old vault where they used to keep much of the US treasury money. It was fascinating, you could feel the history. Having a religious Jew work at such a high position in the prestigious Treasury department made a big impression on all of us.
Our group proceeded to the Senate, via an underground train which few people ever get to ride in. When we arrived, we had a delicious kosher lunch catered by Freund’s Catering from NY. The senators were honoring Mr. Harley Lippman, who is involved in many Jewish causes, including Holocaust restoration, combating anti-Semitism, as well as many pro-Israel causes. The senators spoke about their connection to the Jewish community. Also in attendance, was the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the US, who spoke about establishing pro-Israel ties and the new shul that opened there.
Senator Robert Menandez of New Jersey spoke out against Iran’s terror activities. We listened to his important words before heading to a meeting in the Eisenhower Building, with Mr. Alan Barell, who is the Deputy National Security Adviser to my friend, NSA Director Mr. John Bolton. Mr. Barell is a religious Jew, as well. He invited us into his office, where he discussed the threat which Iran, as well as North Korea, pose to the United States. He also discussed what it’s like for a religious Jew to work in such a high level position in Washington, and how he balances religion and work. He works until 11 pm every night, except Shabbat, which is the highlight of his week! Mr. Berell is from Brooklyn, but lives in Potomac, Maryland, and sends his kids to the Berman Hebrew Academy.
In the evening, we went to dinner at Char Bar, the only glatt kosher restaurant in Washington, where we ran into Mr. Barell! He was happy to sit with us and join us while we prayed mincha at the restaurant. We discussed more informal issues over dinner, and he was very impressed with the boys. He invited us to visit him again.
The Young Sephardic Leadership Club had a wonderful, action packed, full day of adventure, and wonderful life experience. All the boys said that it was one of the best trips of their lives.
Last month, PROPEL had the pleasure of cosponsoring a contemporary Latin American Art showcase with RBK Art Advisory, founded in 2019 by Rachel Khafif. After graduating in 2018 from Sotheby’s Institute of Art with a Master’s in Contemporary Art, Rachel founded RBK with the encouragement of her mother, Robin Braka, who is the senior art consultant for RBK and also serves as a PROPEL board member and sponsor of PROPEL’s Robin Braka School of Art. Together, mother and daughter hosted this event with PROPEL as part of RBK’s forthcoming series entitled Living With Art. The series aims to build community around art education, and to expose both art lovers and emerging collectors to the work of female artists within unique art venues.
This Living With Art kickoff event featured a Q&A with Uragyuan artist Vicky Barranguet, inside Artemisa Gallery, a contemporary Latin American art space which is not only an exhibition gallery but also the home of its gallerist, Mariana Broda. In the intimate setting of Broda’s Chelsea townhouse, approximately 30 women gathered around the living room sofa—with exotic iced teas and edible flowers crafted by Mariel Tawil Events—to hear Barranguet narrate her artistic journey. She described the challenges of balancing her career as an artist and raising two children, alongside her musician husband, Gustavo Casenave. She recalled how her creative process thrived when her husband played jazz or classical music, and Rachel Khafif, while interviewing Barranguet, described the artist’s abstract compositions as “symphonic canvases.”
These are anything but typical canvases. Barraguet paints lengthy scrolls, bursting with color and crescendo, and allows her patrons to select and cut portions of the scroll that most speak to them. She also described how her scrolls can be exhibited in their entirety, and spoke of a recent art commission for a 150 meter (almost 5 feet ) long painting that is going to be wrapped around the inner hallways of The Galleria Vik Milano, a hotel in Italy.
One of the most interesting moments of the afternoon was when Barranguet described a lack of female artistic mentorship, as abstract expressionism is commonly stereotyped as a male-dominated medium. This underscored the importance of RBK Art Advisory’s focus on female artists and building community for women through the arts, as well as PROPEL’s commitment to supporting and helping women find their professional passions.
Frieda Braha, a young contemporary artist, connected with Barranguet’s career trajectory. She noted, “Meeting Vicky was a huge inspiration for me. Being able to see her techniques and hearing how she grew her business, widened my perspective as an artist.” Echoing these sentiments, interior designer Elizabeth Braha expressed, “The event gave attendees an uncensored look into the world of art sales with access to artists, advisors, and collectors. “What I appreciated most is that PROPEL is always open to giving people interested in the field genuine, unfiltered guidance.”
Indeed, this unique partnership between RBK and PROPEL spoke to PROPEL Cofounder Rebecca Harary. She explained, “Robin and Rachel brought together what the mission of PROPEL is all about— that working women can be it all and do it all for their families, and their careers were spotlighted today.”
A special thank you to Robin Braka & Rachel Khafif (@rbkartadvisory), Mariana Broda (@artemisagallery), Mariel Tawil (@mtevents.co), and Vicky Barranguet (@vickybarranguet) for helping to coordinate such an inspiring event.
If you are interested in a career, please reach out to PROPEL. We can help you fulfill your professional goal.
Contact PROPEL at 646-494-0822 or email info@thepropelnetwork.org. Follow PROPEL on Instagram @PropelNetwork to find out about upcoming programs and events.
ABA is short for applied behavioral analysis, a type of therapy that focuses on improving specific behaviors such as social skills, communication, reading, academics, as well as adaptive learning skills, which include fine motor, hygiene, grooming, domestic capabilities, punctuality, job competence, and decreasing targeted behaviors.
ABA is effective for children and adults with autism, or psychological disorders. It has also been proven that consistent ABA can significantly improve behaviors and skills, and decrease the need for special services. It can also help control transitional challenges that can arise, minimizing or controlling the negative behaviors all together. It’s most successful when intensely applied for 20 hours a week or more.
ABA is based on theories which state that desired behavior can be taught through a system of rewards and consequences. It can be thought of as applying behavioral principals with behavioral goals and carefully measuring the results.
While the idea of using reward and consequences to teach behavior is probably as old as human civilization, the idea of carefully applying rewards and consequences to achieve specific measurable goals is a relatively new concept. The idea is that autism is a set of behavioral symptoms, which can be modified or extinguished. Most of the time ABA is intended to extinguish undesirable behaviors and teach desired behaviors and skills, for example; it may be used to reduce outburst and tantrums, or to teach a child to sit quietly use words to make requests, or wait their turn when playing a game. ABA can also teach simple and complex skills, for example: it can be used to reward a child for sharing a toy with a friend, or putting their plate in the sink after dinner. The goal of any ABA program is to help each person become more independent and successful.
Its not one-size-fits-all, each program is written to meet the needs of each unique person. Treatment goals are written based on the age and ability level of the person and can be provided in many different locations—home, school, clinic, and out in the community. ABA teaches skills that are useful in everyday life. It can be done one-on-one or in a group setting.
A Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) oversees the program. Each analyst customizes the program to each individual’s skills, needs, interests, preferences, and family situation. The BCBA will evaluate the individual and come up with treatment goals and family goals and how to implement them. Then the trained therapist, referred to as either a behavioral therapist, para, or behavior tech, supervised by the BCBA, works directly with the individual to practice skills and work toward the goals written by the BCBA. Goals can include many different skill areas such as communication, social skills, self-care (showering, dressing) play, motor skills, learning, and academic skills. The plan breaks down each of these skills into small steps. The therapist teaches each step one-by-one. The BCBA and therapist measure the progress by collecting data. The BCBA meets regularly with the family and therapists to review information about the progress, and then plans and adjusts goals as needed. Parents, family members, and care givers receive training so they can carry over what is being taught throughout the day, so there is consistency.
How It Works
Positive reinforcement is one of the main strategies used in ABA. When a behavior is followed by something that is valued (a reward), a person is more likely to repeat that behavior, and over time this encourages positive behavior change. For example, the therapist will say, “David, please put your plate in the sink.” If David complies, he is given a reinforcer or reward, if he doesn’t, he doesn’t receive the reward, and the exercise is repeated.
Reinforcement (items, timing, and activities) are likely to vary widely, and should be something that is motivating to that individual. With very young children, it will appear as play therapy, and as they master the behaviors the therapist will take them into real world settings where they can incorporate them into ordinary social experiences.
Parental involvement is key. It doesn’t have to be time consuming or difficult, but follow through is very important for success and progress. If the behaviors that the therapist teaches the individual are not generalized or reinforced and maintained by the family, then one of two things will happen. He will lose the skill, or he will only display the skill for the therapist, which is not real success at all.
Many types of private health insurance cover ABA services, with a prescription from your doctor and an autistic diagnosis. Unfortunately, Medicaid does not yet cover ABA therapy, but it is being worked on, so hopefully it will be covered in the future.
It is important to find an ABA provider and therapist who are a good fit for your family. Not every individual responds well to behavioral therapy. As with many approaches to autism or negative behaviors, ABA is certainly worth a try. The first step is for the therapist to establish a good relationship with the individual. If he/she trusts the therapist and enjoys spending time with him/her, therapy will be more successful and fun!
Is he excited when he “gets to” work with the therapist? Is he responding to the therapist with smiles? Is he learning skills that are helping him in his daily life? If the answer is yes, to most of the questions, you are moving in the right direction. If not, it’s time to move on and change either the therapist, the BCBA, or agency. For guidance or help finding an ABA agency call the C.A.R.E. for special children’s office.
Bridge Linx is a community organization that caters to school aged children—two and up—who attend mainstream community schools and need extra help in specific areas of development.
Bridge Linx Therapy Center offers speech and occupational therapy in a state-of-the-art facility.
Our mission is to service children with specific challenges including OT, PT, speech, social and behavior therapy in all schools in our community. We assist mainstream children so that they will receive the support they need to succeed and thrive in their every day lives and activities.
Bridge Linx is unique in its non- profit therapy model offering scholarships for those in need.
Our experienced professional team offers a high quality individualized therapy program, both during the school year and throughout the summer.
A Parent’s Point of View
Before getting connected to Bridge Linx, I wanted to avoid my son’s parent/teacher conferences. It didn’t matter that there were new teachers every year, the message was always the same. They told me, “Sammy is a bright boy, but he struggles in class. He appears to listen, but when asked to respond to a question, his answers are incorrect and his notes are disorganized or in disarray.”
Sammy was leaving out important information and therefore, not performing well on tests. I remember turning to my husband with a flow of tears streaming down my face, and asking, “What are we doing wrong? No amount of studying seems to help our son.”
I saw the disappointment in Sammy’s eyes every time he came home with a bad grade. When he would cry in frustration, I sometimes cried with him. Bridge Linx was able to give him the proper support that he so desperately needed.
After the first phone call with Bridge Linx, I was put at ease. They immediately set up a meeting to have Sammy evaluated. The Bridge team of therapists sent me to an audiologist to get further information. Finally, we had a diagnosis. My son had difficulty with auditory processing. Within a few short weeks, he was able to implement the strategies taught to him by his speech therapist to actively listen. He showed a major improvement in his notes. In therapy, they worked on following directions, responding to questions, listening and retelling stories. I can’t begin to tell you what a difference it has made. I will never forget the day Sammy came home with the highest grade on his test! Tears, once again filled my eyes. This time they were tears of happiness and joy. My son was on his way to academic success!
Partnering with Bridge Linx The Teacher’s Point of View
As a teacher of mainstream classes, students present many different challenges in the classroom. As an instructor, taking into account the number of students I teach, and my limited resources, I do my best to help each child do his or her best. That has its own challenges. Partnering with Bridge Linx Therapy Center has made a tremendous difference in my ability to help. Bridge Linx evaluates the students to assess the source of their issues. They then make recommendations that I can immediately implement in the classroom. I have seen amazing results from the therapy they have recommended. Most of all, I feel empowered, having a resource of professionals to turn to for help and advice.
A Therapist’s Point of View
Working as an occupational therapist for Bridge Linx in our community school and at the center, it is so gratifying and inspiring to see the progress and growth coming from our students. It is clear that there is a team approach, which includes input from the teachers, speech therapists, OTs and PTs. Creating and implementing goals makes a real impact on the students. The quality of the therapists and the treatment delivery model truly help create a well-rounded student.
Bridge Linx We’re Here For Your Community
We provide speech, occupational and physical therapy, as well as social behavior therapy. Listed below are examples of some specific goals that each therapy targets. Speech • Auditory processing • Expressive language • Articulation • Following directions • Listening comprehension skills • Language skills Occupational Therapy • Sensory integration • Fine motor strengthening • Motor coordination • Hand-eye coordination • Core strengthening • Body awareness Physical Therapy • Gross motor coordination • Body muscle strengthening • Balance and coordination • Motor Planning Social Work • Positive self image • Communication skills, emotional regulation, executive function skills At Bridge Linx, we believe in the potential of every child. Please help us help them realize their dreams.
Please call our office to see how Bridge Linx can help you, at. (732) 493-3670
