Our Sages and Scholars
Judaism boasts many of the most influential minds in the past 2,000 years. When we read about what chazal says about a matter, the term refers collectively to the consensus of authoritative opinion. Chazal is an acronym of the Hebrew phrase chachameinu zichronam liv’racha, which means, “our sages of blessed memory” or “our sages, may their memory be a blessing.” In its strictest sense, chazal refers to the final opinion expressed in the Talmud, but the term is sometimes used more loosely to refer to the generally accepted opinion of any of the wise people who have contributed to Jewish law.
The Jewish National Fund (JNF), through its Israel Advocacy and Education Department, has developed a number of ways to engage high school students across America to connect them to the land and people of Israel and prepare them to be Israel advocates when they go off to college.
…You’ll be the most famous of men, successful in your endeavors, with an unparalleled ability to influence those around you. Those you bless will be blessed. The land that lies before you will be yours and for your posterity…
The first Jews who settled in Japan were traders. As such, they were naturally attracted to port areas. They arrived soon after Japan was opened to Western commerce in 1862. In just a few years, by the late 1860’s, approximately 50 Jewish families lived in Yokohama.
The Orthodox Union recently announced challenge grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for up to three-years to develop innovative solutions to address the extreme high cost of Hebrew day schools/yeshivot.
This year’s Off Sides event was expanded to two separate tournaments benefiting two amazing organizations. One of the organizations, located in Israel near Modiin, is Ulpanat Dolev which 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. In addition to a basic high school education of religious and general studies, Ulpanat Dolev students are offered early childhood care giving courses, as well as courses in computer repair and programming, cosmetology, nutrition, catering and hotel studies. The school uses music, dance, videography and horseback riding as therapeutic tools to enhance each girl’s self esteem and to help them build successful lives after the Ulpana.
Hurricane Irene forced six million to evacuate the Jersey Shore, took down trees and power lines, causing mayhem in New Jersey. In the wake of this horrifying nightmare, we, the tournament chairmen, were forced to decide what to do with the Sephardic Food Fund’s First Annual Topspin Tennis Tournament, which was originally scheduled for the day Irene made landfall in New Jersey.
Nestled in our very own backyard, lies a treasure so well hidden that even those in close proximity might never have stumbled upon it. This hidden gem is Monmouth University, a state-of the art facility, and site of the first ever Deal Sephardic Network (DSN) Summer Games.
In the United States today, 77% of students have experienced some form of bullying and 14% say they have experienced severe negative reactions to some form of bullying. One in five kids admits to being a bully and 8% of kids miss a day of school each month for fear of bullies. Every seven minutes a child is bullied; adult intervention is 4%; peer intervention is 11% and no intervention is 85%. These are staggering statistics, but unfortunately they are true.
The new memorial to fallen Jewish military chaplains began last month and will continue to tour the East Coast, with stops in Florida, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington, DC. The memorial will stop at JCCs as well as synagogues, military installations, and civil institutions. At its final stop, the monument will be formally dedicated on October 24th at Arlington National Cemetery.
With school back in session, many parents with special needs children are facing new efforts from the Department of Education (DOE) to limit resources for their children. To confront the harmful effects of these cuts, Councilman David Greenfield recently held a meeting with several dozen community and special education leaders to discuss emerging problems in special education and to gather feedback directly from parents on how best to address these issues. The participants included representatives from Tafkid, Ease Advocates, Agudath Israel, Bonim Lamakom, Gesher Yehuda, Reach for the Stars, Shema Koleinu, Lev Uvois, Building Blocks, Step, Yaldeinu and other parent and school groups.