Imagine an unusually creative day where women forget about their to-do lists and focus on themselves through expressive artful dance on the beach. Well imagine no more because Gem Suslovich, a community yoga instructor and the Art and Film Salon host, created that very event! It was a day for women, by women, to envelope themselves in captivating dance.

Rain didn’t dare discourage our community members from heading out at 8:30 am recently for a Bike-A-Thon in support of the Jesse Dweck A”H City Learning Center. Jesse was an amazing biker who enjoyed riding with his father. Friends and relatives honored his memory by embarking on 10, 18, or 36 mile bike rides.

The atmosphere was electric; familiar models were dressed beautifully. These gorgeous women gave their all for the 3rd Annual Hats Off To Life Fashion Show, a beneficial summer event. In the beautiful Berkeley Hotel in Asbury Park, hundreds of women attended one of the most anticipated events of the summer. After many hours of hard work, the afternoon proved to be the event of the summer, with superb fashions, and, of course, divine hats.

Recently, the Elliot’s Legacy/Uniting Against Lung Cancer family carnival worked to elevate awareness in the fight against lung cancer. This third annual event drew over 1,000 community members of all ages.

In Memory of Abe M. Cohen A”H and Jack N. Mizrahi A”H

Providing Food with Dignity to Our Community’s Families in Need

Councilman David Greenfield hit a home run with his First Annual Greenfield Classic, a softball game between Shomrim Boro Park Division and the 66th Precinct, held  at Gravesend Park

Along time dream became reality for the Anidjar family when brothers Isaac, Shalom and Samuel and their wives Reina, Mercedes and Miriam recently presented a magnificent Torah to B’nai Sephardim Shaare Shalom Congregation in Hollywood, Florida, which they dedicated to the loving memory of their parents, Sini and Elias Anidjar and their sister Sarah Benebou.

Nobody can debate that 2010 has brought change – and the year’s not over.  We’re all concerned about the economy, changes to our healthcare system, new banking regulations, America’s relations with Israel, the domestic war on terrorism and our nation’s battles overseas.  If 2010 could be summed up in one word, it would be “uncertainty.”   This is what is affecting most people more than any of the actual changes since it is very difficult to invest in or even plan for the future when so much of what we are accustomed to has either changed or will change in the next few years.  Americans, are longing for what we are accustomed to – stability.

The phenomenon of donating a kidney has gained increasing popularity in recent years. What makes this growing phenomenon all the more remarkable is the growing number of donors that are selflessly granting this life saving body organ to total strangers. Thanks to an organization called Renewal, some thirty-five such kidney transplants have been facilitated over the past four years alone. In addition they have provided vital resources and support for over 50 kidney transplants between family members.

Perhaps an added dimension to the life saving mission of Renewal is the diversity of people it has drawn together under the umbrella of its operations, on a global scale.

The upcoming yamim tovi

m are the perfect time for families to strengthen bonds between each other. Between preparations, zmirot (songs), lavish meals, and family customs and rituals, there are countless opportunities to connect to loved ones around you.

Perhaps one of the most critical relationships to be strengthened is that between a parent and child. Child development research, conducted by industry professionals as well as educators, indicates that the most critical period of a child’s development is between birth and his or her third birthday. The physical, social emotional, cognitive, and communication achievements that a child makes in this period are known as childhood milestones.

Usually, holiday time brings new fall outfits, new trends, and crisp fall air. Not this year, because Rosh Hashanah falls so early that it will probably still be warm out. So, the big question is, what is acceptable attire? Here are some tips and fall trends that I hope will be helpful:

1. You don’t have to sweat in clothes made of wool and tweed. The practical attire when dressing up on the holidays involves a transitional dress, but be sure to go with fall colors. Remember, light colors go out of style after Labor Day.

In recent years our community has been blessed with a resurgence of serious Torah study. This is apparent by the multitude of classes and shiurim that are available at synagogues and batei midrash throughout our community.

This past year Torah learning in our community was taken to new heights. In August 2009 with the initiative of Rabbi Ely Matalon and the guidance of Hacham Shimon Alouf a new and exciting learning program was offered to the community. Over 30 community members committed to join and the “Bet Yosef Yomi Program” was born. The participants attended daily shiurim in one of three synagogues in the community. They studied the Sefer Tur Bet Yosef in accordance with the authentic Sephardic tradition. The objective of the program was to reclaim our centuries old tradition of intensive study of halacha.

What is a visit to Israel with your family, as a tourist or for a bar mitzvah, without a visit to the Western Wall and a welcome from Rabbi Sam Kassin?

Anyone who has celebrated their child’s bar mitzvah at the Kotel—or the Western Wall—has been welcomed by “Rabbi Sammy,” who always assists families with all their preparations, assures that every detail is seen to, and provides references for caterers, photographers and other on-the-ground help. “Rabbi Sammy” is known for making bar mitzvahs extra special by helping with logistics, attending the family simcha and dancing with the boy.

“When people from the community travel to Israel, especially for a simcha, it is important to them that every detail is taken care of and this is difficult to manage from 6,000 miles away,” said Rabbi Sammy. “I understand this and try to help make their special occasion go as smoothly as possible.”