Tall tapered silver vases lined the tables and popped with bright pink orchids. Guests mingled while they sampled the delicious assortment of mazza, cocktails and mouth-watering desserts. Although they knew they were somewhere between Kings Highway and Quentin Road, the atmosphere made the guests feel like they were in a very fancy setting.
Argentina is the second largest nation in Latin America and boasts the largest Jewish community in the region. From an open door policy of immigration to the harboring of Nazi war criminals, Argentinaâs Jews have faced periods of peaceful coexistence and periods of intense anti-Semitism.
Many of us know the feeling of being the last one picked for a team. Most of us know the feeling of failure or feeling like a square peg in a round hole. Many of us still recall the first hurtful thing that happened to us when we were young that still smarts today. I know I do.
Luckily, as children we were resilient, and with time, maturity, love and external encouragement, most of us were able to work through those tough times and actually become stronger as a result.
Iâve been a part of the Sephardic Bikur Holim youth committee for a full year now. Iâve seen many acts of hesed and kindness in my life, but never did I see anything as amazing as âA Night in Syria,â our most recent event.
Over 200 elementary school students from six yeshivas ended their school year with a hands-on lesson in civics and walked away with some great prizes, including iPads, iPods, bicycles, and Monopoly Deal games.
These students went door-to-door, registering over 2,500 Brooklyn voters on behalf of Teach NYS in an effort facilitated by the Sephardic Community Federation. Two boys received iPads by registering 100 voters each.
The Sephardic Community Centerâs DĂ©cor by the Shore designer show house was unprecedented and an overall success. The house captured the sophistication of a museum and the elegance of a Syrian household simultaneously. The motivation, inspiration, and all out determination of the committee, designers, and community made for one spectacular achievement.
Raising HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is recommended for protection against cardiovascular disease. HDL helps remove the cholesterol that clogs arteries by taking it to the liver for elimination. It appears that high levels of HDL cholesterol (more than 35 mg/dL) are protective even if your total cholesterol levels are high. In addition, having a low level of HDL is now considered an independent risk factor, meaning that if your total cholesterol is within limits but your HDL is too low, your risk of heart disease is still elevated.
When scientists study the universe, they agree that if one member of a constellation changes in any form, the result on the others may be profound. In the realm of human relationships, this is also true; namely, that couples, families, communities, etc. interact on a myriad of different levels, and a change in one member affects the entire unit.
Letâs face it, getting a first date is relatively easy. A guy spots you at a professional conference; he reads your profile on an online dating site; or a mutual friend sets you up on a blind date.
The trick is to get a second date. Here are some tips to help you keep that first date from being the last.
Have you ever wondered how you stack up as a parent? Are your skills up to par? Are you approaching discipline and daily decisions with the right focus?
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, even when it comes to raising children. Once you recognize the areas where you excel, and identify those where you need to make some changes, you can focus on learning new skills and creating a parenting plan of your own.
As the White House was preparing to release to the public news of death Osama Bin Ladenâs death, both of New Yorkâs United States SenatorsâChuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrandâwere briefing 100 community leaders in the Midwood home of Joe and Trina Cayre on the key foreign policy challenges relating to the safety of the State of Israel. All were there to honor the Sephardic Community Federation (SCF), which in turn presented its highest honorâthe annual Jacob Barsimon Award to Senator Gillibrand âin recognition of her exceptional service to the public and her dedication to improving the lives of all New Yorkers.â
Papers and photographs documenting the lives of Holocaust victims and survivorsâincluding notable names like Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel and former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Beginâare part of a collection being put online by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).
On Shavuot, lovers of Torah never fail to tell the old midrash of Rabbi Avram and his beautiful Torah. The rabbi lived by himself in a one-room, wood frame structure that held a table for studying, a bed for sleeping, and a stove for cooking.
âWhat else do I need?â he would ask his friends and students.
The holiday of Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah by G-d to the entire Jewish people. This occurred on Mount Sinai over 3,300 years ago. The imparting of the Torah and biblical commandments was more than just a historical date. It was a far-reaching spiritual event that touched the essence of all Jewish souls for all time. On Shavuot, the Jewish people agreed to adhere to the commandments of the Torah. Every year, Shavuot is a special time for us to strengthen our unique relationship with G-d.
