Estee and Chaya were very happy when they had their sons within weeks of each other. As the boys second birthday approached, the mothers got them together for a play date.

When it was time to eat, Estee asked Avi, Do you want pasta? Without looking up, Avi shook his head no.
Okay, would you like a cream cheese and jelly sandwich? she asked. This time, Avi looked up and licked his lips vigorously. He then reached out his hand impatiently to let her know he was ready.
David was playing with a small truck. Chaya asked, What about you, David? Would you like pasta? David looked up, but did not respond. A cream cheese and jelly sandwich? Again, he looked at his mother, but then returned to playing with his truck.
Maybe he isnt hungry, Estee suggested.

If you had not seen the words Hillel Yeshiva on the building when you drove up, you might have thought that you were actually approaching New York Harbor! Fifth grade students and their parents were greeted with Caribbean music. As they entered the building ready for the evening cruise, they were welcomed by the staff of the USS M.A.S.T. (Math and Science Together).
The evening was designed to give 5th grade students and their parents an opportunity to experience hands-on math and science activities. The building was decorated in a nautical theme, with ships, captains wheels, life preservers, palm trees, and shells. Each student was given a passport with his/her picture and an itinerary for the evening. Additionally, students were given a captains hat and a captains wheel necklace listing all the ports that they would be visiting.

The man sitting on the train focusing intently on his iPhone might be playing a game, or he may be studying Talmud, Skyping with a partner in Israel or even teaching Hebrew.

Mobile technologies help people practice Judaism, said Barry Schwartz, CEO of Rusty Brick, a software company that has created more than 30 Jewish mobile apps. It is the future. Wherever you gothe airport, synagoguepeople are looking up information and praying.
Mobile technologies are augmenting traditional learning and how people fill their free time, said Rabbi Jack Kalla of Aish HaTorah, which has been at the forefront of digital Jewish outreach, for many years, with videos, podcasts and an extensive website. Aish recently released its first mobile app, which reproduces content from its website for mobile devices.
The Internet is where people are, and it is the means to reach people today. Jewish organizations across the spectrum are taking advantage of developing mobile and digital technologies to reach new people.
Its not going to be the new modelit already is the new model, said Rabbi Simcha Backman, director of Chabads AskMoses.com. This is the new way and we should embrace it.
Created to reach people who dont have access to rabbis, AskMoses offers live chats with scholars on its website. Earlier this year, the site began a text-messaging program. The website recently unveiled its first mobile app, part of a larger strategy to continue reaching people wherever they are.
Social media is a whole new world for Jews and Judaism. The options are limitless. The ArtScroll Schottenstein Talmud was recently released in an app for the iPhone and iPad. It allows users to get instant translations; highlight specific passages, and to jump quickly from one section to another.
This opens up the whole world of Jewish literature for the past 2,000 years, Rabbi Zlotowitz said, putting it literally at our fingertips. When youre able to actually interact with the words on the page, it changes how you understand what youre learning.
With technology advancing at a rapid pace, just what Jewish education will look like in 20 years, or even in five years, is unclear, but the Jewish world appears ready for the challenge.
All of these things are enabling us to realize our tradition and Judaism in ways that were simply unimaginable a few years ago, said Rabbi Backman. I dont know where its going, but its going to be phenomenal, he concluded.

When my alarm rang at 6 am, I anxiously rolled out of bed. The weather was a cool 70? and mostly sunnyperfect for tournament day. I was ecstatic because I knew it would be one of the best days of the summerThe Sephardic Food Funds Second Annual Top Spin Tournament.
What began last year as a small tennis tournament, run by a couple of high school kids, has expanded into a mens doubles tennis tournament and a volleyball tournament, featuring over 100 participants.
At about 10 am, the players, kids and young adults ranging in age from 12 to 25, begin to roll into Samantha and Bobby Hararys home. They grabbed something to eat and collected their bags, which included a dri-fit shirt, sweatpants and a towel. They were then sent to the courts to play their regular season games. The competition was fierce, but only eight teams from volleyball and eight teams from tennis advanced to the playoffs.

Tournament Champions

Girls Soccer: 3rd and 4th Grades
Helen Ashkenazi, Nina Shamah, Jayne Ades, Alexis Menaham, Ziva Saada and Shirley Goldenberg

Boys Football:
3rd and 4th Grades
Abe Mosseri, Adam Heaney, Joseph Heaney, Uzi Heaney, Eric Cytryn, Ivor Braka and Steven Nasar

Engaging Lectures and Fabulous Food

Summertimes and great food! Magen David of Union Square is taking care of both with a weekly Monday night barbecue and lecture program that jump started summer in the city and continues to be a brilliant success.

Each Monday night, approximately 60 people gather at MDUS for Minha and Arbit followed by an amazing lecture given by their summer scholar in residence, Rabbi Avi Harari. Some of the topics have ranged from Maimonedian approaches to life, finding ones soul mate and what it means to follow G-ds will. The barbecue and learning program at MDUS is a chance to form and sustain friendships through learning Torah and enjoying good food in a warm atmosphere, said Rabbi Harari.

Over 600 people gathered to celebrate Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) in grand style at the 33rd Anniversary Dinner of American Friends of Ateret Cohanim/Jerusalem Chai. Each year, Ateret Cohanim honors individuals who have dedicated themselves to supporting the re-establishment of thriving Jewish communities in and around the Old City of Jerusalem.

Ateret Cohanim has restored a number of renowned yeshivot, in the Old City and its outlying areas, which has ensured a vibrant future for generations of Jews to come. The organization has successfully rekindled the flame of Jewish life in the heart and soul of Jerusalem.

A palpable electricity filled the room as this years honorees were assembled on the dais. Serving as Master of Ceremonies was Chaim Leibtag who introduced each awardee. The recipients of the prestigious Bonei Yerushalayim Award were Shoshana Hikind, Executive Vice President of Ateret Cohanim/Jerusalem Chai and Dr. Morris and Rickie Platt.

I am most grateful to Hashem for the opportunity I have had for so many years to stand by our courageous brethren striving to keep all of Jerusalem united under Israeli sovereignty. It is my fervent hope to be able to continue to reach many more American Jews with the message that we must step up to the plate if Yerushalayim is to remain our eternal and undivided capital, declared Mrs. Hikind.

Dr. Morris and Rickie Platt have been exceptionally generous supporters of Ateret Cohanim/Jerusalem Chai, Chabad centers around the globe, and have made significant personal contributions to many other wonderful organizations.

This years Oheiv Yisroel Awardees included Helen Freedman, Executive Director of Americans for a Safe Israel (AFSI), and Shlomo and Aviva Mostofsky. Ms. Freedman said, I get great pleasure from planning and leading the AFSI semi-annual chizuk (strength) tour of Israel. Our participants travel through Israel and provide succor to the fearless Jews who live in Judea and Samaria.

Shlomo Z. Mostofsky is a family law attorney in Brooklyn and his wife Aviva is a reading specialist. They count Ateret Cohanim as one of their favorite organizations.

A new and highly enthusiastic generation of Jewish leaders were introduced to the audience. Michelle Laufer and Rachel Zehava Ruchlamer were presented with the Young Leadership Professionals Award. Hailing from a family with a strong commitment and love for Jerusalem, Michelle has been in the forefront of planning numerous events for Ateret Cohanim/Jerusalem Chai.

Its such an honor to receive this award. I love helping the precious Ateret Cohanim children in the Old City and cant wait to do another young leadership event to raise money for their activities, said Ms. Laufer.

Together, we can put more smiles on the faces of the beautiful children living in the Old City, proclaimed Rachel Zehava Ruchlamer, a 30-year old teacher from New Jersey, as she received her award. I congratulate Ateret Cohanim/Jerusalem Chai on 33 years of keeping Jerusalem united and making it a better and safer place for today and tomorrow, she added.

In addition to redeeming land in and around the Old City of Jerusalem, Ateret Cohanim, which was founded by Matityahu HaCohen Dan, establishes educational centers, provides assistance in the renovation of old buildings, installs and maintains security systems and initiates a variety of other Jewish educational projects in an effort to revitalize Jerusalem.

Everyone going to Israel is urged to take one of Ateret Cohanims fascinating tours. For more information visit www.jerusalemchai.org.

Celebrating 28 Years

The Annual Aleh Foundation Gala took place in the ballroom of the Museum of Jewish Heritage, where beautifully attired guests gathered to celebrate 28 years of service to disabled children.

TV and radio talk show host Zev Brenner was the Master of Ceremonies. He introduced a line-up of special guests including the nights award recipients, NYS Senator Dean G. Skelos, Dr. Jeffrey Wisoff, Jack and Violet Harounian, and Drs. Andrew and Galina Zaretsky. The event was dedicated in loving memory of the late Moshe Ben Michael, Mike Silverstein, brother of our beloved friend and supporter, Stanley Silverstein.

Zev Brenner kicked off the evening by calling upon Senator Dean Skelos who spoke eloquently about Alehs accomplishments, followed by the events Medical Leadership Awardee, Dr. Jeffrey Wisoff.

Jack and Violet Harounian, honorary board members and two of the hardest working philanthropists in the Jewish community, received a beautiful plaque in recognition of their unflagging support. Zev then called upon the Humanitarian Awardees, Drs. Galina and Andrew Zaretsky.

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik spoke about the wonderful work Aleh Foundation does. The rabbis profound soul shined through each of his carefully selected words during his powerful speech.

Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie, a Foundation Rabbinical Board member and supporter of many years, sang the national anthems of both the United States and Israel, as he has done so many times in the past. He then sang the Hashkava in memory of Mike Silverstein and presented a congressional certificate to Nina Miner and their daughter and son-in-law Leslie and Michael Kule. The Silversteins have generously sponsored a wing in Aleh Negev in loving memory of Chana Emunah Kule.

Sam Amster, a board member, drew the winning ticket in the evenings raffle.

You can join our wonderful supporters, friends and honorees in supporting the worlds most worthy institution for disabled children by sponsoring vital medical equipment. Visit alehfoundationusa.org/prg_eqiupment.html.

ALEH FOUNDATION
5317 13th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
718-851-4596
800-317-ALEH
www.alehfoundationusa.org

I was recently privileged to participate in the NY Road Runners Achilles Hope and Possibility five mile run on behalf of the Special Childrens Center.

The Special Childrens Center is an amazing organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with special needs. They provide support for the children and their families. I know that it will be a day I know I will remember the race forever, not simply because it was the first race I ever ran, but rather because of Victoria, a 9 year old girl I had the privilege to cross the finish line with.

Eleven Jews are pedaling and peddlingtheir message across the country and another three dozen bicyclists will join them at segments along the way. They are participating in the Hazon Cross-USA Ride, a 10 week journey across America.

Their mission is to have the government make healthy food systems a priority. Theyre collecting signatures on a petition, which will be presented to the White House and US Department of Agriculture. They will talk with Jewish community groups about sustainable farming and meet with farmers to learn about sustainable agriculture.

Helping 2,000 Men, Women and Children Every Month

Sarah Herzog Hospital, established in 1894, is Israels foremost center for geriatric treatment and research. With 330 beds, its the third largest hospital in Jerusalem. The hospital specializes in the full range of problems associated with agingacute medical problems; physical rehabilitation; psychogeriatrics.