As the uplifting voices of four world-class Hazzanim reverberated with selihot (special prayers) throughout Hillel Yeshiva High School, all those in attendance experienced a most stirring and inspirational Erev Yom Kippur. Hazzanim David Saliah, Ram Mizrahi, Shlomo Teherani and Yishai Teherani were asked to share their gift of Tefilla with the students. The prayers helped prepare both students and faculty for the upcoming holiday.
You see all kinds of ubercreative latke recipes around Hanukah time: apple-parsnip latkes, sweet potato–leek latkes, sweet cheesy latkes, savory cheese and chive latkes. The truth is, you can’t go anywhere in the world of latkes until you’ve mastered the classic. So first I’ll teach you this special recipe from Ma and Uputzi. They always made incredible pureed potato latkes.
Our community, the entire Sephardic community and world Jewry have all sustained a monumental loss. Most will agree that Hacham Ovadia zt”l is irreplaceable. He was yahid bedoro (unique in his generation). The Rabbi’s ability to marshal sources and solve complex halachic issues simply and straightforwardly was a rare talent indeed. But truth to tell, his towering personality transcends even his great halachic accomplishments.
There are few more ubiquitous symbols of Jewish presence than the menorah. First mentioned in the book of Exodus, it has pervaded the literary and visual culture of the Jewish people, predating the Star of David as a uniquely Jewish insignia by at least a millennium. In fact, one rabbinic tradition suggests that the emblem on David’s shield was not a star at all, but a menorah! While the star is the centerpiece of Israel’s flag, the menorah was chosen as the nation’s coat of arms, and large, ornate menorahs grace both the Knesset and Ben Gurion Airport.
Sephardic Link orchestrated a truly wonderful event geared to the parents, families, and friends of our community’s singles. They had a multipurpose aim: to educate and inspire with extremely knowledgeable speakers, to raise awareness about what needs to be done, to get more of our singles to meet, and to raise funds in order to create many more singles events year round.
In the time of King Antiochus, the fate of the Jewish people seemed grim. The vastly outnumbered Maccabees were up against the world’s most sophisticated military machine. They faced opposition from within, as well. Many of their brethren were weak, complacent, and all too willing to forsake their heritage and assimilate into the Hellenistic culture. It was the proverbial “darkest hour before the dawn.” Yet, sure enough, with the dawn, came the miraculous, unprecedented victory. With G-d’s help and against all odds, The Maccabees were able to reclaim the Holy Land and rededicate the Holy Temple.
In June 1989, Police Officer Jeff Herman gave his life in the line of duty. A quarter of a century later, Magen David Yeshivah (MDY) honored his memory and legacy at a special dedication ceremony attended by his family, fellow officers from the 71st Precinct, and friends. The public park, directly across from the elementary school, was dedicated to Officer Herman in 1990. Bebe and Irene Herman, Officer Herman’s mother and widow, chose that playground as the one to be dedicated in his honor in 1990, because he loved to play baseball there with his fellow officers and also because he was raised nearby. Just before you walk in, there is a plaque stating that this park, where MDY students enjoy recess every day, is dedicated to his memory.
A powerful medium for communication, the Internet has a dark side; the ease with which information is shared comes with a price. Every day, individuals and organizations use the power of the Internet as a shield to spread vitriol aimed at racial, ethnic and religious minorities, as well as other targets. Calls for violence, bigoted rants, lies, bullying, and conspiracy theories circulate openly on the web, with effects on individuals and society that are profound and dangerous. Is there an antidote to the virus of hate that has infected the Internet or is the problem too big to address?
I recently attended a Master Makeup Class with Emmy Award winning makeup artist Reggie Wells, Oprah Winfrey’s makeup artist of 21 years. On her famous television show, he was often seen applying her makeup. I was always amazed that she would show herself—before and after. Even the most beautiful actresses need makeup to look flawless, and if you have ever seen Oprah without makeup, you will recognize that his skill is masterful.
“There are four types of temperaments. One who is quick to become angry and quick to calm down—his gain is outweighed by his loss. One who is slow to become angry and slow to calm—his loss is outweighed by his gain. One who is slow to become angry and quick to calm down is pious. One who is quick to become angry and slow to calm down is wicked.”
(Chapter 5, Mishna 14)
Being the editor of IMAGE Magazine has been the precursor to many incredible experiences. I have traveled; met many influential people, heads of state, governors, senators, congressmen and a few Israeli and international politicians. I had the merit to meet and be blessed by many important rabbis, both in the US and in Israel. Yet, these experiences, while very exciting and memorable, did not hold a candle to the awe I felt the day my husband, Ben-Gurion, and I had the honor of visiting Rabbi Ovadia Yosef in his home.
Did your high school aged child have an active Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in elementary school? Odds are that he or she stopped receiving services from the New York City Department of Education (NYC-DOE) close to the time that high school began. The High School Academic Resource Center (HSARC), a project of Teach NYS, Orthodox Union and the Sephardic Community Federation, is here to guide you in reactivating your teenager’s file so that support will be available during these demanding high school years.
Parashat NoahThe deluge that destroyed the world in the time of Noah caused a major upheaval in the physical makeup of the world. The geological and archeological evidence of this change has baffled many a scientist—so much so that even skeptical scientists argue that some fossilized discoveries may be attributed to the flood.
I spent the year after high school in Jerusalem, attending Michlalah Jerusalem College. There we were told to do weekly hesed. My first choice was to volunteer at the Sanhedria Children’s Home and I was thrilled when I was accepted. When I walked into the building, I was beyond excited, but as I opened the door to the room I was going to work in every Tuesday, my stomach dropped. There were only boys and they only spoke Hebrew.
