Israels 64th Independence Day was celebrated with much happiness and pride among Barkais students, staff and parent body.

Their Yom Haatzmaut program combined song, dance and prayer dedicated to Israel.

During the evening program, each student, from first through eighth grade, participated in the festivities which were held in All Sport Brooklyn. Beginning with an Israeli soldier march, they honored members of the Israeli Defense Forces and their loyalty to defending Israel. Second and third grade girls sang Rak Tefila Esa followed by the fifth grade girls exciting drumming performance. Second and third grade boys sang the pizmon Yahaloma Yahaloma. A captivating glockenspiel (a percussion instrument) performance by the fourth grade girls consisted of songs Am Yisrael Hai, David Melech Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael Sheli all of which honored Israel.

Over 200 mothers and daughters attended Hillel Yeshivas second annual Follow Your Dreams career luncheon, recently. The event, for seventh through twelfth grade girls and their mothers, featured five panelists who shared their inspiring journeys to becoming professionals in diverse fields.

The program began with an introduction by Dr. Ruth Katz, Head of School, and an inspiring Dvar Torah by Rabbi Saul J. Kassin, Rosh Yeshiva/Halachic Authority.  Dr. Gayle Krost, Vice President, Hillel Yeshiva and Chairman, Board of Education, welcomed everyone to the program which was a tribute to the memory of Mr. Saul E. Ashkenazi AH.

Cheers to everyone who attended and sponsored Art for Otsar, an inspiring evening of fine art at gallery nine5. The occasion was marked with a selection of fine wine and hors doeurves served to community members interested in contemporary art and supporting the important work done at Otsar Family Services.

Eli Greenberg, an Otsar board member, remarked that Quite a number of the children in the community have begun their education at Otsar; and the caring and professional staff has often made an impact on the children that remains wherever they go.

Gesher Yehuda held its annual bake sale in the elegant home of Micki and Ayal Horovits. Lots of dedication went into preparing this amazing event and many turned out to support Geshera wonderful organization.

Our friends told us about Gesher Yehuda a few years ago. It wasnt until we decided to host the bake sale at our home that we went for a tour of the school and saw how amazing it really is! For the children of our community who need specialized education, Gesher Yehuda is an oasis in a desert. For a child to be able to go to a school where they receive the support they need in an environment in which they can thrive is a valuable resource for both community parents and their children. The Jewish and secular education along with a personalized caring environment created by the staff, helps these children grow up to be leaders and successful members of our community and most importantly, well rounded adults. It is truly an organization that should be recognized for its continuing commitment to the welfare of our children, said Micki Horovits, as Ayal agreed wholeheartedly.

Magen David Yeshivah commemorated Yom Haatzmaut with many festive programs. Throughout the school, which was decorated in blue and white, the children and their parents rejoiced. Their enthusiasm captured the true essence of the Jewish people.

Our children are exposed to so much negative media concerning Israel. We therefore have a greater obligation to impart within their souls and hearts the beauty, glory and significance of Eretz Yisroel and the meaning of the miracle of the State of Israel becoming a reality. As we yearn for the building of the Bet Hamikdash, we appreciate that our positive support of the people of Israel will hasten that era in our time, said MDY Principal Rabbi Dr. Baruch Hilsenrath.

The Yeshivah of Flatbush had memorable ceremonies for Yom HaShoah, Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut, which brought students and the community real stories from Holocaust survivors and IDF soldiers, choral and dramatic performances, and a joyous celebration of the 64th anniversary of the State of Israel.

Joel Braverman High School (JBHS) held two Yom HaShoah ceremonies, an evening community commemoration and a day program for students. Holocaust survivor Sylvia Weiss, author of Selected From Above, spoke about being yanked off the gas chamber line by the infamous Josef Mengele, to stay with the working prisoners at Auschwitz.

Last year, community seniors were invited to Ohel Yaacob Synagogue (The Lawrence Avenue Shul) in Deal, New Jersey, to see The Syrian Jewish Community: Our Journey Through History, Episode 2, Coming to America, which was the first documentary film tracing the history of our community.

While they watched, there was a palpable excitement in the air. They sat in rapt attention and remained transfixed as they enjoyed the poignant stories of their relatives, and other Syrian Jews, discussing their childhood experiences and those of their parents and grandparents.

When our grandfathers arrived in New York City in the early twentieth century, the first step they took towards setting down roots was opening a synagogue in lower Manhattan. Since then, it seems we have come full circle. With the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue on the Upper East Side growing by leaps and bounds, and Magen David of Union Square on 16th Street moving into a new and bigger location on Sullivan Street, our presence in NYC is about to grow even stronger.

David Duke Dweck explains, We started out downtown more than a decade ago with Shabbat services for kids and young couples dorming or living in the neighborhood. Today, we have minyanim seven days a week, 365 days a year. We have holiday services and meals; weekly Humash, Talmud and halacha classes; we have served over 10,000 young adults at Shabbat dinners that we call Sufeh in the City, brought together many singles, and even watched four marriages blossom from scratch. We are here, and have been hereand you are using us, even when you dont realize it.

For 30 Years of Wonderful Service

In 1982, the Israeli Defense Forces invaded Lebanon, the British Royal Navy sailed some 8,000 miles to retake the Falkland Islands from Argentina and the worlds most notorious terrorist was Carlos the Jackal. That same year Epcot Center opened, the first issue of USA Today was published and the first CD player was sold in Japan. And Time Magazines Man of the Year was none other than The Computer.

In 1982 the Man of the Year in the community of West Deal, New Jersey, was Rabbi Ezra Labaton. In August of that year, Rabbi Labaton was invited to become the full-time spiritual leader of Congregation Magen David of West Deal. Thirty years later, Rabbi Labaton remains a beacon not only to his congregants, but to the entire Syrian-Sephardic community.

Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, Chairman of the Assemblys Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee, brought Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Services to Midwood to enable her to hear firsthand about the Jewish communitys alcoholism and drug abuse problems. Over 20 rabbis, doctors, psychologists, social workers and program directors, with experience treating local residents with alcohol and drug abuse issues, participated in the roundtable discussion held in the Young Israel of Midwood.

The discussion was sponsored in conjunction with the Orthodox Union.  Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, its Executive Vice President, Emeritus, has been deeply involved in issues of alcoholism and substance abuse in the Orthodox community and has been one of the most effective leaders in making it clear that such abuses do occur in the community and should not be ignored, denied or swept under the rug.

The cheesecakes are baked and in the freezerone plain, one peanut butter cup and one chocolate-filled that I put in a pan that was too small, causing it to spill all over the oven! The French onion soup (our once-a-year Shavuot treat) is ready for the final broiling and the salmon is cooling on the counter. The house is clean and covered with plants. All the physical preparations have been made. Yet I still dont feel ready.

How do you really prepare to receive the Torah? How do you begin to imagine that spectacular moment of revelation and commitment? How can I hope to create an experience that even comes close?