Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, Chairman of the Assemblys Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee, brought Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Services to Midwood to enable her to hear firsthand about the Jewish communitys alcoholism and drug abuse problems. Over 20 rabbis, doctors, psychologists, social workers and program directors, with experience treating local residents with alcohol and drug abuse issues, participated in the roundtable discussion held in the Young Israel of Midwood.

The discussion was sponsored in conjunction with the Orthodox Union.  Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, its Executive Vice President, Emeritus, has been deeply involved in issues of alcoholism and substance abuse in the Orthodox community and has been one of the most effective leaders in making it clear that such abuses do occur in the community and should not be ignored, denied or swept under the rug.

The cheesecakes are baked and in the freezerone plain, one peanut butter cup and one chocolate-filled that I put in a pan that was too small, causing it to spill all over the oven! The French onion soup (our once-a-year Shavuot treat) is ready for the final broiling and the salmon is cooling on the counter. The house is clean and covered with plants. All the physical preparations have been made. Yet I still dont feel ready.

How do you really prepare to receive the Torah? How do you begin to imagine that spectacular moment of revelation and commitment? How can I hope to create an experience that even comes close?

Yom YerushalayimJerusalem Dayis the most recent addition to the Hebrew calendar. It is celebrated one week before the eve of Shavuot. Although Jerusalem has been considered the capital city of the Jewish people since the time of King Davidwho conquered it and built it as the seat of his monarchythere was never a special day in honor of the city until the Israeli army took over the ancient, eastern part of the city on the third day of the Six-Day War in June 1967.

Jerusalem was divided during the War of Independence and 19 years later was reunited as a result of the 6-Day War.

The Yeshivah of Flatbush High School Guidance Department, coordinated by Dr. Gila Sandler, recently spearheaded an exciting program to combat some of the dangers faced by teens. The First Annual Choices Awareness Day was organized by Eva Bernfeld, LCSW, Lillian Galapo, School Psychologist, the Guidance Staff and the Choices Commission.

Over 60 students, accompanied by faculty advisors from Magen David Yeshivah, the Ramaz Upper School, SAR Academy, Community High School and YOF took part in the program to learn about the YOF Choices Commission and to develop ideas and initiatives in their schools.

It all started with a vision. What would happen if all of the communitys children collected as many pennies as possible? People had done it with paper clips, so why not try it with pennies. Many look at pennies as having little or no value; its just worth one cent. But when you put a large amount together it can create a huge value and when a lot of people join together to do small acts of hesed, it can make a huge difference.

So we set a goal, and we planned a dream. The children would collect pennies and the money would go to help the children. Our motto became, Children Helping Children. Our goal was simply: to collect as many cents as possible. All proceeds would go to SBHs Dress A Child program, which helps needy families purchase clothing for their children.

Our Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunts and Daughters

After many months of preparation, the 6th grade girls at Magen David Yeshivah were thrilled and excited to perform before their mothers, aunts, sisters, grandmothers and even their great-grandmothers as part of a special Night to Celebrate.

Bigger and Better Than Ever

We are proud to announce that Team SBHs TopGun is returning to Deal for its 20th year and it is still the premiere event of the summer! Only this year, on Sunday August 12th, things are going to be a little bit differentTopGun 2012 is going to be the best one yet!

Over the past couple of years, the SBH committee has worked tirelessly to roll out what has now become an epic hitTeam SBH. From now on, Team SBH will include all athletes who take part in any SBH event. That means we are now a team of over 2,000 community members who raise money through athleticism, making us true Champions for Charity.

Community Leaders Ask Forgiveness

On Tuesday, March 17, the Sephardic Home for the Aged, located on Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn, NY, was the setting for a special celebration which brought together many distinguished guests. Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel Shlomo Amar and Chief Rabbi Saul Kassin led the delegation of Sephardic rabbis, community leaders and activists. Rabbi Herschel Kurzrock and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum, from the Rabbininical Alliance-Igud Harrabbonim, gathered to celebrate the 90th birthday of esteemed Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Shaare Zion, Rabbi Abraham B. Hecht.

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. This 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 the special time for us to strengthen our unique relationship with G-d.

What is the Torah? The Torah is comprised of two partsthe written law and the oral law. The written Torah contains the Five Books of Moses, the Prophets and the Writings. The oral law explains and clarifies the written law. The Torah describes the creation of the world by G-d, and expounds on the 613 mitzvot.

Many American Jewish families are facing a difficult question, as deadlines for summer camp enrollment approach: Can they pay their bills and send their kids to Jewish sleepaway camp?

Its a difficult decision, said Shelly Zemelman, a school psychologist with four children. Her 16-year-old daughter, Batya, has spent four summers at Camp Stone, a modern Orthodox camp in Pennsylvania, that charges $3,500 for a four-week session. Other Jewish camps charge as much as $1,500 per week.

Its not a necessity like school its a luxury, Zemelman said. If we had to send all four kids, at the same time, I dont think we could do it.

She knows several families who are considering dropping camp. One family made it work by alternating the years their children attend camp.