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Off Sides for Ulpanat Dolev

Located in Israel’s Binyamin region near Modiin, Ulpanat Dolev was established in 1988 as a residential facility for girls at risk. Today it serves over 100 troubled girls who have been referred to the Ulpana by social workers.

Barkai Yeshivah Family Fun Night

PTA President-Elect Rachel Dweck and PTA President Rachel NovickFor some, the back to school season means supply lists and trips to Target. For Barkai Yeshivah students, it means turning on barbecue grills. The usual festivities at the annual Barkai Family Fun Night took place, once again, at the home of Lawrence and Sherry Lynn Jemal, Barkai’s gracious hosts.

Ohel Simha Bridal Fund’s Girls Day Out

Class by Rabbi Mayer YedidOrganized by a group of determined young women, the Ohel Simha Bridal fundraiser perfectly expressed the selflessness of our generous community. Held at the home of Elliot and Valerie Betesh, the event was a day for women, by women. The day uniquely raised funds for less-fortunate brides, by offering attendees a full day of beauty which included hair and makeup applications. Guest speaker, Rabbi Mayer Yedid conveyed powerful words of spirituality and Torah to the ladies.

Bonei Olam, Building the Future in Deal, NJ

Sherryl Betesh,  Hostess Samantha Harary, Rochelle Rudy and Sandy EssesThe record keepers at the Guinness Book of World Records may not know it, but there is one married couple that has more than 2,000 children. Not only that, but their children live on every continent and speak different languages. They are not the biological parents of these children, but through their organization, Bonei Olam, Rabbi and Mrs. Schlomo Bochner have facilitated the births of these children and are building future generations of Am Yisrael.

The Jewish Wedding

For thousands of years, Jews have sanctified their married life by beginning it with a traditional Jewish wedding. The beauty, simplicity and nobility of the Jewish wedding ceremony is dictated to us by Talmudic tradition and rabbinic law. The ceremony is based on the name that the Talmud grants to the Jewish concept of betrothal and marriage—“kiddushin,” meaning sanctification and holiness. Though marriage is a contract between a man and a woman for living together, it is much more than that. At the root of the Jewish marriage ceremony is the understanding that a marriage is much greater than the sum of its individual parts.

Yeshivat Magen Abraham

Now in its third year, Yeshivat Magen Abraham is charting a new path in the field of high school education in Brooklyn’s Syrian community. Through innovative methods and strategies, they prepare the community’s youth for religious and financial success.

Councilman Greenfield Endorses Congressman McMahon

Brooklyn, NY – Today, New York City Councilman David Greenfield endorsed Congressman Michael McMahon in his re-election bid for New York’s 13th Congressional District.  The endorsement took place in front of the Sephardic Multi Service Center in Gravesend, Brooklyn.

Roots of Sefarad

Consul General of Spain in NY Fernando Villalonga, Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie, Mr. Alberto Ruiz GallardĂłn, Mayor of MadridAs a culmination of their year-long series of programs called The Jews of Spain: Past and Present, the American Sephardi Federation joined with Congregation Edmond J. Safra of Manhattan and Ramaz School/Kehillath Jeshurun for a nine-day heritage tour of Spain called Roots of Sefarad. Led by Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie and Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, the group of 51 Sephardim and Ashkenazim together explored the famous and infamous sites which exemplify the Jewish experience in Spain under Muslim and Christian rule.

Remembering Ze’ev Jabotinsky

Recently, several hundred people gathered at the Park East Synagogue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side for a most befitting tribute to the life and legacy of famed Zionist leader and visionary Vladimir Ze’ev Jabotinsky on the occasion of his 70th yahrzeit. Due to the geo-political realities of the age of terrorism, security was tight at the venue as attendees went through airport style checks as they entered.

The Jews of Scotland

Scotland is perhaps the only country in Europe to have no history of Jewish persecution. Indeed, Jews in Scotland have a rare uninterrupted history, starting in 1290, when Jews were expelled from England under the Edict of Expulsion. There is some history of Jews existing in Scotland prior to the Edict, but no definite record of Jewish communities.

Finding Jews in Rural America

rural-americaThe New York metro area has 2 million Jews, more than everywhere else, except Tel Aviv. But it’s a big drop after that. LA has 650,000. Philly, DC, Chicago, Boston, and San Francisco each have about a quarter million. A few more American cities have  between 50,000 and 100,000. But when you get down to the top 40 American cities, we’re talking less than 10,000 in a metro area.

Fall Fashion Trends

CARLOS FALCHI Metallic Leopard Print Medium shopper toteAs the season unfolds and progresses, new fall styles and trends will hit the stores. Some styles will be an instant hit, and some won’t pan out. In my fashion research, I discovered many different accessories that will accentuate and enhance many outfits, giving them a savvy and stylish feel. Here’s a sneak peak of what to expect in the stores this fall.

Ruth Salama Mosaics

Ruth Salama Mosaic art has become quite popular, especially with young girls. But what exactly is it? Mosaic is the art of creating patterns or pictures using an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials. It can be used as a technique for decorative art, or as an aspect of interior decoration.

SEAD’S Mother-Daughter Tennis Tournament

Suzy Erani and daughter, Melissa and Marilyn Tobias, Adele Horowitz and Marie Levy, Cookie and Pauline SettonClutching their tennis rackets, garbed in athletic gear, community mothers and daughters eagerly made their way to the Deal Casino courts. The tennis tournament for S.E.A.D., the Special Education Academy of Deal, was underway by 8 am. Women were excited to play with their families, as Frieda Gheriani confirmed, “Where else do you get to play with your grandmother and mother in a tournament? This is the only tournament where you are playing with family, not friends.”