A memorable and powerful event took place recently. It was an evening and all-day fundraiser in the home of Jack and Lillian Srour where the community gathered in unison to support Hands-On For Children. Hands-On For Children helps pediatric cancer patients and their families by easing the hardship of dealing with illness. Physically, and emotionally, Hands-On is there to alleviate the burden of taking care of ill children. The organization provides emotional and educational support services, daily hospital visits, and therapeutic hi-tech toys for the children. Each child and family is catered to according to their individual needs.

Passover is just a few weeks away. I asked community members for stories and advice that might help you feel a little less overwhelmed by the cooking and cleaning involved in making Passover wonderful for  your family. For eight days a year we turn our worlds upside down. So take a deep breath, take it one step at a time, and before you know it, it will be over and you’ll say, “That wasn’t so bad.”

There is a brand new magnificent haggadah by Syrian rabbis that has been produced by Rabbi Ronnie Kassin, with the help of the Sephardic Food Fund (SFF).

The Mitzvah Man caught our daughter’s attention when she read about his volunteers visiting elderly people. The more she and her friends read about the Mitzvah Man, the more they wanted to be a part of the hesed.

Last year, Aishel Shabbat  received a phone call from a desperate mother who pleaded with them to let her pick up a Shabbat Food Package from their warehouse. Usually all of the organization’s packages are delivered by devoted volunteers, but she was insistent, so they said yes, wondering why. Volunteers asked her for an address, but she was reluctant to give one. So they decided to follow her to see if they could help this distraught mother of three further. What they saw came as a shock. The mother and her three small children were living in an old beat up van. They were homeless.

One good deed leads to another, and when this deed is done as a group, the results can be very inspiring.

As a 5th grade class filed into the SBH offices to begin their project, Charles Anteby, coordinator of volunteers, had some questions. “How many of you had breakfast today,” he asked. Almost a full showing of hands. “How many ate at home?” About half of the kids raised their hands. Last question: “How many of you worried there wouldn’t be any breakfast today?” Not one hand went up.

Do you dream of a place where kids can be kids; where they can grow and learn without even knowing it in a stimulating, exciting atmosphere; a place that’s safe, clean and loads of fun with experienced staff and good friends; where each child’s natural goodness is brought out and their self-esteem and social skills are reinforced? Well, you don’t have to dream any longer. Wake up and discover Camp Emzie.

The world of education has come a long way. Today, schools are more advanced than ever before, yet many parents find themselves struggling with questions such as which school is best for their children. We asked Mrs. Vivian Stok, the devoted principal of Gesher Yehuda, for close to 20 years, to answer some questions frequently asked by parents who must choose which school environment will best service their child.

Another summer is around the corner and that means another exciting summer with PELE Adventures. In its third year running, PELE is planning some exciting new events and adventures. Last summer, the boys and their fearless leaders, Rabbi Avraham Benhamu, Avi Smus and Eddie Rahmey experienced the joys of the great outdoors with camping overnights in Lake Geroge and Ashoken Resevoir. They painted a new hen house for an animal sanctuary in Woodstock, NY and removed graffiti with the NYPD, not to mention manning phone banks to raise money for the Jewish National Fund.

Customers can expect to find whatever they’re looking for at the Kosher Corner Supermarket, which carries traditional supermarket items like groceries, the best quality produce and top quality SBD Beit Yosef meat and poultry.

A Light, Delicious, Kosher Culinary Experience

There’s a wonderful restaurant in downtown Brooklyn called Olga’s on Smith, a kosher café under the strict supervision of OK. It’s a hot new eatery where you’ll find Lubavitchers sitting next to trendy local artists. The clientele reflects the new Brooklyn—a fusion of all backgrounds—and like the customers, the food is a combination of different culinary influences. Dishes have Italian roots, Mexican flavors, Asian spices and Middle Eastern ingredients.